Once upon a time, as a young youth with frizzy hair and giant teeth, I went to Disneyland with my family.
We went on rides. I saw Michael Jackson as Captain EO, and tried to replicate his dance moves for the rest of the day. We got popcorn, I secretly made faces at other children standing in line (I was not trying to make friends… I was simply being a major weirdo), and I remember some sort of parade. There’s always a parade at Disneyland.
We watched the Abraham Lincoln show, which… as a young youth… is the most boring thing I could possibly experience. We stood there as a statue of President Lincoln was illuminated and some prerecorded speech about freedom was played. I think… maybe I don’t remember this correctly. Since I was not shoveling sour candies into my face, I was sure that this show was going to make my eyes bleed from boredom. I was sure it was possible.
Just after the show, as we were exiting, my aunt (who has always been the pillar of clumsiness) stumbled down the stairs and sprained her ankle. Good grief, I thought…. I totally should make my mom buy me sour balls for having to endure this inconvenience to my funtime awesomeday.
Do you know what happens when you fall at Disneyland (back in the 1980’s before everyone sued everyone else)?? I’ll tell you… it’s awesome:
They take you to the backstage/secret/red alert/ what’s even back there anyway/ Disneyland area. The place where Goofy walks around without his head on, and Snow Whites could care less, and Tinkerbell is smoking a cigarette (ok… that didn’t happen… but I SO wish it did)!!! They take you and your family backstage, and sit you down, and give you juice, and ask you if you’re ok, and bring you medical attention… AND YOU GET TO SEE GOOFY WITHOUT HIS HEAD ON!!! Clearly this left a lasting impression on me…. as a young youth.
What do kids have these days? Lawsuits and Disney cruises. Pffft. Weak.
Anyway… Um.
Churros remind me of Disneyland.
So…. yea.
This churros recipe might be different than anything you’ve ever made.
These are my notes… I know, a little kooky.
There will be several point throughout this recipe where you might curse my name, and insist that I’ve made you mess up a recipe and waste ingredients.
Don’t yell. I can’t hear you.
We can get through this together. Promise.
We start by boiling water, butter, sugar, and salt.
If this feels weird… that’s because it is. Melt down these ingredients, whisk em up, and turn the heat to low.
With me?
Over low heat, stir the flour into the hot butter mixture. Stir it up with a spatula. Do not freak out.
Stir through the lumps. Keep the pan over low heat. Trust in the process. After about 30 to 45 seconds, the mixture will form a loose ball, like the one pictured above.
Phew! You did it!
Let’s stir in the eggs. You might freak out again. Stay with me.
Place the dough into a large bowl. Let rest for 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring in with a spatula.
Halfway through stirring in the eggs, the batter will look like this. I know… not cool. Keep stirring.
This will happen. This is exactly what you want to happen.
Sticky, eggy dough. Perfect.
You’ll need a large star tip and a pastry bag, or big ZipLock bag.
Oh! And scissors too!
See, you’ll squeeze the batter into the hot oil, and slice the dough off with the kitchen scissors.
Totes.
They’re a little funny looking.
By funny looking, I mean… totally delicious!
Oh…. also… my cat is INSANE.
After being tossed in cinnamon and sugar, these churros are the perfect food.
I like these dipped in warm chocolate sauce… but I like everything dipped in warm chocolate sauce. So. Yea.
Homemade Churros and Hot Dark Chocolate
makes about 20 small churros
from The NY Times
For the Churros:
canola or vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
For the Chocolate Sauce:
1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
scant 1 cup heavy cream
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
Add enough oil to a large saucepan or deep skillet to measure 2-inches deep. Attach a candy/deep fry thermometer to to side of the pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter, water, 1 tablespoon of sugar and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add flour all at once. Quickly stir together with a spatula until no lumps remain, and the mixture begins to form a ball. This will take about 30 to 45 seconds. Remove from heat and place loose dough ball in a large bowl.
With a spatula, beat the eggs into the dough one egg at a time. The mixture may appear to be a broken mess, but keep stirring. Keep the faith.
After the eggs are added, the mixture will be slightly gummy and slightly thick. That’s perfect.
Spoon batter into a large pastry, or strong Ziplock bag with a Aceto 829 (large open star) tip attached.
Heat the oil, over medium heat, to 350 degrees F.
Carefully pipe about 4 inch long dough segments into the hot oil. Use a pair of kitchen sheers to cut the dough from the star tip. It’s hard not to splash yourself with hot oil, just be as careful as possible.
Fry dough for 5 to 7 minutes. This might seem like a long time, but the dough through the center needs to cook through. The churros will be a deep golden brown, and may split slightly when cooked. Keep an eye on the timer. Remove churros from hot oil and place on a paper towel. After slightly degreased, toss in cinnamon sugar mixture and place on a plate to serve.
To make the chocolate sauce:
Place chocolate chunks, pinch of salt, and espresso powder (if using) in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Pour the heavy cream over the chocolate pieces. Let rest for 1 minute before whisking. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Serve warm with warm churros.
Churros are best served just after they are fried. So much yum.
Emily
I too associate Churros with Disneyland…it was a tradition – go through the Haunted Mansion, hit the churro stand at the exit.
Mmmmm. You are evil. Glorious, but evil.
Melissa
SAME EXACT tradition here! Funny thing is when I took my kids there about two years ago they still have the churro stand in the exact same spot as when I was a kid. It was great sharing that tradition with them! :)
Jenn O.
I went to Disneyland when I was, like, 8 or something and barely remember anything…except the totally lame Hall of Presidents or whatever it was. It was the end of a very long day and I’m sure it was something my mom or grandparents thought would be “educational.” I make homemade funnel cakes every so often but never thought about trying churros. Sounds amazing!!
TyInTheSky
Not sure if I’m more excited about the churros or about the Captain EO, but either way, great post!
Michelle
awesomeness. great idea. totally with you. cats are as crazy as they come. totally amazing shit they can find themselves in.
Verelle
I think this is the perfect excuse to make some horchata and margaritas, then get busy making churros!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I think the first (maybe only?) time I had a churro was in Disney World. These look amazing and now I want to bring them back into my life!
bakingepiphanies
huh, i never saw a churros recipe where the batter starts out like a pate a choux dough. but that might be because i’ve only seen one other churros recipe – so never mind. looks divine, as always. hope the cat survived!
Kristel T.M.
Disneyland and Churros do go hand in hand! Last time I was there I made it my mission to find every Churro stand in the park and I am happy to report that I completed my mission with time to spare. I am totally jealous of your backstage experience!
Thank you for sharing this recipe, I can’t wait to tackle it!
Kathryn
Love churros! Except once I start eating them, I can’t really stop so perhaps I should step away from this recipe n
tj
…I’ve never heard of Churros. Chimichangas but never Churros. I know, I know, I need to get out more. *sigh*giggle* :o)
…Seriously tho’, these sound delicious! The dough reminds me of, what are those things called…oh, cream puffs. You kno’, those things where you bake and scoop out the center and fill ’em with custard or whipped cream? That is what I thought as I was watching you bring the dough together…
…Thank you Joy! And watch out Kitty! And also get down from there! ;o)
…Blessings… :o)
Jan
You can’t possible be from California if you havn’t heard of Churros. Am I right??? You are missing our on life! :-)
Brenda
Happy.
Disneyland, frizzy hair, Captain EO, smoking Tink…churros.
Just happy.
Jen of My Tiny Oven
Those look amazing! I wish I had a big plate of them right now.
Hope kitty is ok!!!
Caroline @ Pink Basil
These look so amazing Joy! Hope you got your cat down okay ;)
Barefeet In The Kitchen
Churros made at home? You are just evil, Joy! I am forbidding myself to even print this recipe. Those could be addictive.
jess
They do look perfectly tempting.
Three-Cookies
Water instead of milk? This is the lactose friendly version? Or the budget version?:)
Marianne G
This is the regular recipe – when fried, they are churros, but you can pipe these and bake them to make cream puffs or eclairs.