Spanish Cinnamon Sugar Dough (Printable version)

Classic Spanish fried dough with crispy exterior and soft center, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with warm chocolate sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup water
02 - 2 ½ tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
04 - ¼ tsp salt
05 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
06 - 1 large egg
07 - ½ tsp vanilla extract

→ For Frying

08 - 2 cups vegetable oil for deep frying

→ Cinnamon Sugar Coating

09 - ½ cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon

→ Chocolate Dipping Sauce

11 - ½ cup heavy cream
12 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
13 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
14 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
15 - Pinch of salt

# How to Prepare:

01 - Combine water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until butter melts completely.
02 - Add flour all at once to the boiling liquid. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the pan sides, about 2 minutes.
03 - Remove saucepan from heat and let the dough rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly before adding eggs.
04 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the cooled dough. Beat thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.
05 - Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
06 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan or pot and heat to 350°F.
07 - Pipe 4 to 6-inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting with scissors. Fry in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
08 - Remove fried churros with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels to drain.
09 - Mix cinnamon and granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Roll warm churros in the mixture until evenly coated.
10 - Heat heavy cream and sugar in a small saucepan until just simmering. Remove from heat, then add chopped chocolate, butter, and salt. Let stand for 1 minute, then stir until completely smooth.
11 - Arrange churros on a serving plate and serve immediately with warm chocolate dipping sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between the crispy, cinnamon-sugar exterior and the incredibly soft, tender interior is absolutely addictive
  • That warm chocolate dipping sauce transforms these from good to unforgettable, and it comes together in minutes
  • They fry up faster than you can make pancakes, making them perfect for weekend mornings or sudden dessert cravings
02 -
  • The dough must cool for exactly 5 minutes after cooking, or the egg will scramble when you add it
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while frying, as this drops the oil temperature and makes soggy churros
  • Roll the churros in cinnamon sugar within seconds of draining, or the coating will not stick properly
03 -
  • Test your oil temperature with a small piece of dough first, it should bubble immediately and steadily but not violently
  • If the dough is too stiff to pipe, let it warm up slightly for 2-3 minutes
  • Line your cooling surface with paper towels in layers to absorb excess oil efficiently
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