Churros: 18 Cinnamon Sugar Treats, Starting With the Classic and Thick Hot Chocolate

Churros are the crunchy cinnamon sugar treat almost everyone loves, from theme parks in Florida to cafes in Madrid. In Spain and Mexico they are also a holiday tradition, dunked in thick hot chocolate during Las Posadas in Mexico and on New Year’s morning in Spain. And people clearly want to make them at home: one churros and hot chocolate video on YouTube has more than 30 million views. Here is how to make the real fried churros, plus easy no fry shortcuts like air fryer churros, puff pastry twists, cheesecake bars and churro waffles for Christmas morning. Each slide has a shopping list and simple steps. Grab the cinnamon..

Classic Homemade Churros With Cinnamon Sugar

In Spain and Mexico, the holidays end with a plate of hot churros dunked in chocolate so thick a spoon can almost stand in it. You need a pot of oil, a star tip and about 20 minutes to make the same crunchy sticks at home. The dough is a simple cooked flour paste, the same family as cream puffs. Watch how it is done in the churros and hot chocolate video with more than 30 million views, then follow the steps below..

You will need: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, oil for frying, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Bring water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil. 2. Stir in the flour all at once and cook 1 minute, until a ball forms. 3. Cool 5 minutes, then beat in the eggs one at a time and the vanilla. 4. Pipe through a large star tip into 360 F oil and fry 2 to 3 minutes, turning once. 5. Drain and roll in cinnamon sugar right away.

Thick Spanish Hot Chocolate for Dipping Churros

In Spain, churros come with a cup of hot chocolate so thick it is more like a pudding you dip into than a drink. This photo is from Madrid’s famous Chocolateria San Gines, where people line up for it late at night and on New Year’s morning. The secret is a little cornstarch, which turns rich milk and dark chocolate into a silky, spoonable dip. Would you drink it or dip in it?

You will need: 2 cups whole milk, 4 oz dark chocolate chopped, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, pinch of salt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)

How to make it: 1. Whisk the cornstarch into 1/2 cup of the cold milk. 2. Heat the rest of the milk with the sugar until steaming. 3. Add the chocolate and whisk until melted. 4. Whisk in the cornstarch milk and salt. 5. Cook, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes until thick, then serve warm.

Thin Churros Sticks for Easy Snacking

Thin churros cook faster and stay crunchy all the way through, which makes them perfect for a party platter. Use a smaller star tip and pipe short sticks about 4 inches long. They are easy for little hands, and everyone can grab just one or two (or five). Pile them in a bowl next to the chocolate and watch them vanish. How many churros could you eat in one sitting?

You will need: 1 batch churro dough (see the first slide), oil for frying, a small star piping tip, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Fit a piping bag with a small star tip and fill with dough. 2. Heat the oil to 360 F. 3. Pipe 4 inch sticks into the oil, cutting with scissors. 4. Fry 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, turning once. 5. Drain and toss in cinnamon sugar while hot.

Air Fryer Churros With No Pot of Oil

Not ready for a pot of hot oil? Air fryer churros are lighter and much less mess. The dough is the same, you just pipe it onto parchment, chill it for 15 minutes so it holds its shape, and spray it with oil. They come out crisp on the outside and soft inside. Then brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar. Air fryer or deep fryer: which camp are you in?

You will need: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, cooking spray, 3 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

How to make it: 1. Make the dough as in the first slide. 2. Pipe 5 inch churros onto parchment and chill 15 minutes. 3. Spray with oil and air fry at 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes. 4. Brush with melted butter. 5. Roll in cinnamon sugar and serve warm.

Baked Puff Pastry Churro Twists

This is the easiest shortcut of all. A sheet of store bought puff pastry gets brushed with butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, cut into strips and twisted. They bake into flaky, crunchy twists that taste a lot like churros, with no dough to make and no frying. They are perfect for a Christmas morning tray. Would you try the shortcut?

You will need: 1 sheet puff pastry thawed, 3 tbsp melted butter, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, chocolate sauce for dipping

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brush the pastry with butter and sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar. 3. Cut into 1 inch strips and twist each one. 4. Bake on a lined pan 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. 5. Brush with butter and toss in the rest of the cinnamon sugar.

Churro Cheesecake Bars

These bars are a bake sale favorite for a reason. Two layers of crescent dough or puff pastry hold a thick, creamy cheesecake filling, and the top gets a crackly coat of butter and cinnamon sugar. They taste like a churro and a cheesecake had a baby. Chill them well before cutting so the squares come out neat. Bars or a slice of cake: which would you grab?

You will need: 2 cans (8 oz) crescent dough sheets, 16 oz cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Press one dough sheet into a greased 9×13 pan. 2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg and spread over the dough. 3. Top with the second dough sheet. 4. Pour melted butter on top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. 5. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes, cool and chill before cutting.

Churro Waffles for Christmas Morning

Turn breakfast into dessert. Regular waffles get brushed with melted butter right out of the iron and rolled in cinnamon sugar, so the outside turns crunchy and sweet like a churro. Serve them with a drizzle of the thick hot chocolate or a spoon of dulce de leche. It is a fun Christmas morning tradition that kids will ask for every year. Syrup or chocolate on your waffles?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla. Coating: 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

How to make it: 1. Whisk the dry ingredients. 2. Whisk milk, eggs, butter and vanilla and stir into the dry mix. 3. Cook in a hot waffle iron until golden. 4. Brush each waffle with melted butter. 5. Sprinkle or roll in cinnamon sugar and serve right away.

Churro French Toast Sticks

French toast sticks are a kid favorite, and a cinnamon sugar coat turns them into churros for breakfast. Thick bread cut into sticks gets dipped in a vanilla custard, cooked in butter until golden, then rolled in cinnamon sugar while hot. Serve with a little cup of chocolate or syrup for dipping. They are great for a holiday brunch. Dip or drizzle?

You will need: 6 thick slices brioche or Texas toast, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 3 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Cut each slice of bread into 3 sticks. 2. Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. 3. Dip the sticks quickly. 4. Cook in butter over medium heat until golden on all sides. 5. Roll in cinnamon sugar while hot.

Churros With Dulce de Leche

Dulce de leche is a thick, creamy caramel made from milk and sugar, and it is the favorite churro filling in much of Latin America. You can pipe it inside the churros with a narrow tip, or just serve it on the side for dipping next to chocolate. Look for it in cans or jars in the Latin foods aisle. Chocolate or dulce de leche: you have to pick one!

You will need: 1 batch churros, 1 can (13 oz) dulce de leche, 1/4 cup milk (to loosen), a piping bag with a narrow tip, chocolate sauce (optional)

How to make it: 1. Fry or bake the churros and roll them in cinnamon sugar. 2. Warm the dulce de leche with a little milk until smooth. 3. Poke a hole in one end of each churro with a skewer. 4. Pipe in the dulce de leche. 5. Serve with extra dulce de leche and chocolate for dipping.

Chocolate Dipped Churros

Dip the ends of cooled churros in melted chocolate and let them set, and they look like they came from a bakery case. Add sprinkles in red and green for Christmas. They are a fun party treat, and they travel better than plain churros because the chocolate keeps them crisp. Would you add sprinkles or keep them classic?

You will need: 12 churros cooled, 6 oz dark or milk chocolate, 1 tsp coconut oil, holiday sprinkles or chopped nuts

How to make it: 1. Melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in short bursts in the microwave. 2. Dip one end of each churro in chocolate. 3. Add sprinkles or nuts right away. 4. Lay on parchment. 5. Let set 20 minutes before serving.

Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

Theme parks sell these for a reason. Pipe the churro dough into flat circles, fry or bake them until crisp, roll them in cinnamon sugar and sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between. Freeze them for 30 minutes so they hold together. They are a showstopper for a summer party or a Christmas in July. Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

You will need: 1 batch churro dough, oil for frying, 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar, 1 pint vanilla ice cream slightly softened

How to make it: 1. Pipe the dough in 3 inch spirals onto squares of parchment. 2. Slide them into 360 F oil, paper side up, and remove the paper. 3. Fry 2 minutes per side and drain. 4. Toss in cinnamon sugar and cool. 5. Sandwich with ice cream and freeze 30 minutes.

Churro Popcorn for Movie Night

This sweet popcorn takes 10 minutes and tastes just like the cinnamon sugar on a churro. Toss fresh popcorn with melted butter, then shake it with cinnamon sugar in a big bag or bowl. A pinch of salt makes the sweet pop. It is perfect for a holiday movie night or wrapped in little bags as gifts. Sweet or salty popcorn?

You will need: 10 cups popped popcorn, 4 tbsp butter melted, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt

How to make it: 1. Pop the popcorn and put it in a very large bowl. 2. Mix sugar, cinnamon and salt. 3. Drizzle the popcorn with melted butter while tossing. 4. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over it. 5. Toss well and serve right away.

Churro Donut Holes

Churro dough can also be dropped by the spoonful into hot oil to make little round bites, a lot like donut holes. They puff up light and airy, then get a roll in cinnamon sugar. Serve them in a paper cone for a fair style treat at home. For a different cinnamon treat, try our churro cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Which shape do you like best?

You will need: 1 batch churro dough, oil for frying, a small cookie scoop, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Heat the oil to 360 F. 2. Drop tablespoon scoops of dough into the oil. 3. Fry 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until deep golden. 4. Drain on paper towels. 5. Roll in cinnamon sugar and serve warm.

Churro Snack Mix for Holiday Tins

This crunchy snack mix is the easiest homemade gift. Cereal squares, mini pretzels and pecans get coated in a buttery cinnamon sugar glaze and baked until crisp. Pack it in tins or jars for teachers, neighbors and coworkers. Make a double batch, because it disappears fast at home too. Who is on your holiday gift list this year?

You will need: 6 cups rice or corn cereal squares, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup pecans, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 250 F. 2. Melt butter with brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. 3. Toss with the cereal, pretzels and pecans. 4. Bake on two pans 45 minutes, stirring every 15. 5. Toss with cinnamon sugar while warm and cool.

Churro Bundt Cake

A tender cinnamon cake baked in a bundt pan, brushed with butter while warm and dusted with cinnamon sugar: it tastes like a giant soft churro. A ribbon of cinnamon sugar swirled through the middle makes every slice special. It is a great cake for a holiday brunch or a cozy afternoon with coffee. Coffee or hot chocolate with your slice?

You will need: 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup soft butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tbsp vanilla, 1 cup sour cream, swirl: 1/3 cup brown sugar with 2 tsp cinnamon. Top: 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

How to make it: 1. Beat butter and sugar, then eggs and vanilla. 2. Add flour mix in turns with sour cream. 3. Layer half the batter, the cinnamon swirl, then the rest in a greased bundt pan. 4. Bake at 350 F for 50 to 55 minutes. 5. Brush the warm cake with butter and coat with cinnamon sugar.

Churro Loops Ring for a Holiday Platter

Pipe the dough in loops instead of sticks, then arrange them in a big ring on a platter, like a wreath. Put a bowl of hot chocolate or dulce de leche in the middle for dipping. It makes a fun centerpiece for a Christmas party or a New Year’s Day brunch, just like the churros sold in Spain. Would this be a hit at your party?

You will need: 1 batch churro dough, oil for frying, 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar, a bowl of thick hot chocolate or dulce de leche, a large round platter, fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration

How to make it: 1. Pipe loops or teardrop shapes onto squares of parchment. 2. Fry them at 360 F, paper side up, removing the paper. 3. Fry until golden and drain. 4. Roll in cinnamon sugar. 5. Arrange in a ring with the dip in the center and tuck in rosemary.

Theme Park Style Churros: The Star Tip Secret

Americans fell in love with churros at theme parks, ball games and county fairs. The secret to that look is a big open star piping tip: the ridges give more crunchy edges and keep the churros from bursting in the oil. Wrap one in a square of parchment, just like the fair, and the kids will be thrilled. Where did you eat your first churro?

You will need: A large open star piping tip (about 1/2 inch), a sturdy piping bag, parchment squares for serving, 1 batch churro dough, cinnamon sugar

How to make it: 1. Use a large open star tip, never a plain round tip. 2. Fill the bag only halfway so it is easier to squeeze. 3. Pipe long ropes and cut with scissors. 4. Fry until deep golden. 5. Roll in cinnamon sugar and wrap in parchment to serve.

Tips for Crispy Churros and Safe Frying

Frying at home is easy if you follow a few rules. Use a heavy pot only half full of oil, and keep a thermometer clipped on so the oil stays at 360 F. Too cool and churros turn greasy, too hot and they brown before the middle cooks. Never leave hot oil alone, and keep kids away from the stove. Let the oil cool fully before you throw it out. Will you fry or bake yours?

You will need: A heavy deep pot, neutral oil with a high smoke point, a clip on thermometer, tongs or a spider, a sheet pan lined with paper towels, a lid nearby

How to make it: 1. Fill the pot no more than halfway with oil. 2. Heat to 360 F and keep it there. 3. Fry only 3 or 4 churros at a time. 4. Drain on paper towels and roll in sugar right away. 5. Turn off the heat and cool the oil completely before cleanup.