Desserts/ Recipe

Homebaked Churros

Happy SRC reveal day Group D! 
 
You’ve read right. It’s time for another interlude of Secret Recipe Club (SRC). We took a bit of a break over the month of January and I’m going to be completely honest… I felt a little bit like Christmas slapped me in the face and poo-poo’d all over my month. Not that it has anything to do with the actual holiday of Christmas but SRC feels like Christmas. Turns out, I love my Secret Recipe Club!
 
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There’s not a whole lot more exciting than finding out who’s blog you’ll be secretly assigned, eagerly scavenging their content, and trying to choose just one recipe to re-create; except maybe reveal day. The day when everyone posts their chef-d’oeuvre and mouths start aching for tasty deliciousness. Seeing your recipe translated and posted on someone else’s site is a bit of treat in and of itself, but seeing what everyone else made isn’t so bad either. 
 
Did I mention I love SRC?
 
This month I was paired up with a fellow Pacific Northwesterner, Kirstin @ Loving Life. Her blog is packed full to the brim with great story-telling photographs and functions as a journal for her every day life. I really felt like I was getting a sneak peak into her family and her kitchen. And judging by the prevalence of reality t.v., that’s what we all want, right? Sneak peaks! 
 
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My most excitable sneak peak? Her recipe for churros. Those who know me know that I am an avid lover of Spanish culture and cuisine. Especially crunchy outside, cozy inside, cinnamon & sugar sweet rolled Spanish fried cuisine. So when I saw a churros recipe, I got all giddy in my heart-soul and totally swept aside the list of healthier recipes I had tallied from her blog thus far:
 
Oh yeah. Who needs dinner when you can go straight to dessert? And not only desert, but with the amount of batter that it calls for, snacks for about the next 4 days as well.
 
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FYI: You must be smarter than the pastry bag. I went out and bought a pastry bag set from Cook Culture for this project. As I assembled the bag and squeezy tip, I couldn’t figure out for the life of me how to get the pieces to fit. I fumbled with the bloody thing for ages until I finally called John in for reinforcements. Luckily, his PhD in theoretical physics served my pastry bag (and me) well. How embarrassed would I have been to return the set to the store claiming it didn’t work only to have them unscrew the little plastic bit at the end? Aye. 
 
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Homebaked Churros

Ingredients

  • 1 C Water.
  • 1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
  • 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt.
  • 1 1/4 C White All-Purpose Flour.
  • 2 Free-Range Organic Eggs, room temperature & lightly beaten.
  • 1 Tbsp Butter, unsalted & at room temperature.
  • Peanut or Canola oil for frying.
  • 1 C Sugar.
  • 1/4 C Ground Cinnamon.

Instructions

  1. Pour the frying oil into a large wok, no more than 2/3rds full and in a shallow bowl combine the sugar and ground cinnamon.
  2. In a heavy saucepan bring water, oil and salt to just a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Remove from heat and add flour, stirring until combined.
  4. If there is excess moisture, return to the heat for 30 seconds to dry out, stirring continually then remove from the heat.
  5. Mix the beaten eggs in with the "dough". Mix well.
  6. Meanwhile, turn on the frying oil and heat over medium heat.Stir the butter into the eggy/flour mixture & combine thoroughly.
  7. Place your dough to a piping bag fitted with the largest star shaped tip you have. Mine was actually a bit small but it just ended up being that we had mini-churros. And everyone likes things in mini!
  8. Test the oil. It will be ready when a piece of white bread or bit of batter is carefully dropped into the oil and browns in 30 seconds. If it browns too quickly, turn down your heat. If not quickly enough, wait longer. BE VERY CAREFUL when deep frying! DO NOT BURN YOURSELF or START THE HOUSE ON FIRE! A good site that tells you how to deep fry safely can be found here.
  9. Pipe dough into hot oil, cutting off pieces at about the length of your thumb and pointer finger at it's longest extension with a small knife, and cook until golden brown. Be very careful it doesn't splatter because you will burn yourself! I actually used John to pipe the dough and I cut it to make things easier.
  10. Remove from oil, drain on a paper towel briefly, and then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve with some melted chocolate, or coffee, or my fabulous vanilla bean pot de creme!
  11. Eat.
 
  • BigBearswife
    February 27, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    ooo Perfect little snack… or meal… which ever 😉

  • Sarah E.
    February 27, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    I’ve been wanting to try out churros for a while. They look so yummy. I’m curious – are they like the cinnamon twists at Taco Bell? They look similar.

    Oh and SRC ROCKS MY SOCKS OFF 🙂 It’s so much fun!

  • Kristy Lynn
    February 27, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    @ BigBearswife: or both!

    @ Sarah E: I have no idea. I actually don’t eat at Taco Bell. haha.. But they are absolutely decadent 🙂 And wholly addictive.

  • Gingered Whisk
    February 27, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    Oh yum!! I love churros (they were the only thing I craved when I was pregnant, and I wanted them every day! ) Your look amazing!

  • Lisa~~
    February 27, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    I’ve been wanting to try making churros forever and yours look absolutely wonderful.

    If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my Group ‘A’ SRC entry: Crunchy Fudgy Heart Bites and my Group ‘D’ entry: Health(ier) Peanut Brittle

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

  • Asiya @ Chocolate & Chillies
    February 27, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    What a wonderful dessert!

  • Cheap Ethnic Eatz
    February 27, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    Great choice, love churros. Reminds me of Madrid. Great job on the SRC

  • Aarthi
    February 27, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    That looks delicious…

    Aarthi
    http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/

  • Shelly {Quiet Luxury}
    February 27, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    I tried making churros once and it was an epic failure… I might have to try these..

    -Shelly

  • Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes]
    February 27, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Oh yum! I totally love churros! Awesome job 🙂

  • onceuponarecipe
    February 27, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Oh. Ma. Gah. I’m not even kidding, I’m making these tonight. Beautiful photos girl!

  • Kirstin
    February 27, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    So glad you enjoyed them! When my daughter wanted to make them I was hesitant because I have never liked churros…these ones changed my mind! And I LOVE my pampered chef thing-a-ma-jig that lets me easily pipe the batter without making a ginormous mess (which I’m known to do with a pastry bag)…Glad you enjoyed my blog. I’m going to take some time and enjoy yours (C:

    Oh, and I saw those in the link and went “oh another recipe for churros.” not even thinking they would be mine…one of my favorite things to do is see if I can spot our my recipe among the links (C:

  • Kirstin
    February 27, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    sarah E. They’re nothing like the cinnamon twists at Taco Bell..these are crispy on the outside and slightly soft on the inside and WAAAAYYYY better than cinnamon twists

  • Amy
    February 27, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    Seriously, I AGREE. Who needs dinner when you can go straight to dessert?? Love the look of this, it’s on my MUST TRY list.

  • Stacy
    February 28, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    O.M.G. I love churros!!! 🙂

  • Erin Stomber
    February 28, 2012 at 2:43 AM

    I love churros and they are my husband’s favorite! I just made my first batch this weekend. Not only do they taste great, they are fun to make. My husband, who never helps me in the kitchen, was fighting with me over who would squeeze the pastry bag 🙂

  • patience
    February 28, 2012 at 5:21 AM

    AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

  • Tammy Quackenbush
    February 28, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    You could have used a large freezer bag with the end cut off. That’s what I do, cheaper than a pastry bag. Clean up is a breeze.

  • dena (as @ohyoucook)
    February 28, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    Greetings from another SRC group member! Love your blog’s title … and churros!

  • Toni
    February 28, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    Oh yeah! I’m gonna have to try these. Y.U.M.

  • teresa, foodnfifth.com
    February 28, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    Wow, these remind me of Mexico and churros from nighttime street vendors fresh from the grease and wonderful! I am impressed that you made these. Thanks for the memories.

  • Kristy Lynn
    February 28, 2012 at 11:55 PM

    @ Everybody: holy comments batman! I have to admit to feeling a little overwhelmed by all the positive feedback! Thank you all so much!! XO

    ps. im working on getting a reply button to specific comments but stupid blogger won’t let me. aye.

  • Joan@chocolateandmore
    February 29, 2012 at 4:14 AM

    We love Churros but have never tried to make them, now I will! So glad I found you over at 33 Shades of Green.

  • April Tuell Angels Homestead
    February 29, 2012 at 5:01 AM

    I lived in Chicago for 18 years, and the spanish vendors used to sell these, freshly made, at the lake. Delicious memories.

  • Lisa
    February 29, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    These are so fun! I love them, but I hardly ever get to have them. My favorite part of carnivals in the summer, right?

  • Melanie
    March 1, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    I’ve always been intrigued by churros but never tried them! It’s also nice to know that someone else was crazy enough to marry a theoretical physicist! (And to know that you run to him for help, too!)

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:50 PM

      that’s what he’s there for! to fix pastry bags. that, and to say random things i can’t understand.

  • Rene - Epic Baker
    March 2, 2012 at 4:40 AM

    I loooove churros! Especially Disneyland Churros (although Costco Churros dipped in their vanilla yogurt are also delicious).

    I wonder if I could adapt this to be done in the oven? I way too much of a klutz to allow myself to deep fry anything!

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:50 PM

      i’m sure. if you figure it out, let me know!

  • April @ The 21st Century Housewife
    March 2, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    I’ve always been a little bit afraid of pastry bags, and have to confess I have managed to avoid using them thus far! But I am going to have to bite the bullet because these churros look amazing. What a wonderful recipe. It’s lovely to discover Loving Life as well. Thank you so much for sharing this post.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 2, 2012 at 11:51 PM

      do it april. warning: they’re highly addictive! you could, as someone pointed out above, use a plastic bag, but that didn’t occur to me until after i bought and used the pastry one.

  • Nicole @ I am a Honey Bee
    March 3, 2012 at 12:43 AM

    glad you were able to figure out the bag with some help. Churros look fantastic.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 3, 2012 at 3:44 PM

      it seems everything i do requires help these days. aye.

  • Rituparna
    March 3, 2012 at 7:57 AM

    I am so hungry now. Love those Churros. Have to make them soon.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 3, 2012 at 3:45 PM

      do it! 😉

  • Ashley
    March 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    Those look sinfully delicious! YUM

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 5, 2012 at 5:19 AM

      that’s how i roll. yo.

  • Miz Helen
    March 4, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 5, 2012 at 5:19 AM

      thanks Miz Helen! i’m always glad when you stop by!

  • Alea Milham
    March 6, 2012 at 3:55 AM

    I love churros! I’ve never had a homemade churro before. Thanks for sharing this with the Hearth and Soul Hop.

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 6, 2012 at 5:11 AM

      thanks Alea! Good to see you!

  • Bridget@MrsGreenJeans
    March 7, 2012 at 2:08 AM

    Oh my goodness those look amazing!!! Yum-o! I made churros in pastry school, why all of a sudden have I become so lazy to make these tasty little things!

    • Kristy Lynn
      March 7, 2012 at 5:26 AM

      I don’t know Bridget but if I were you I’d get back on that churro train! Choo choo!

  • VeggieWiz
    March 7, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Those look so good….makes me want to pick one and put it in my mouth! Great job!