When it comes to food and drink in Spain, there is no better dessert than traditional Spanish churros. Hot and crispy with a soft fluffy middle, churros are a type of fried dough that is incredibly popular in both Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. The origins of this popular Spanish dessert is hotly debated, but it is commonly said that they were the invention of Spanish shepherds who fried a dough made of flour, water, and salt as a substitute for fresh bread. According to this story, the name for the delicacy was inspired by the ridged horns of the native Churra sheep, an aesthetic which the fried treat takes after.
These churros are quick and easy to make, and they can even be prepared ahead of time before being fried ready to eat. This makes them the ideal dessert for parties or for entertaining. Ready to try your hand at making your own? Here’s everything you need to know:
Ingredients
For the Churros:
- 1 cup of plain flour
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
- 1 cup of boiling water
- 2 cups of vegetable oil for frying
- ¼ cup of caster sugar
- 2 tsp of ground cinnnamon
For the Chocolate Sauce:
- Half a cup of dark chocolate
- Half a cup of double cream
Cooking Method:
For the Churros:
- First, mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the oil and water, and then mix until the ingredients are just combined – the result should be a thick and doughy batter
- Transfer this dough into a piping bag with a star tipped nozzle, and preheat a deep skillet of vegetable oil.
- When the oil is hot, pipe the dough directly into the oil, cutting off the lengths when they are approximately 15 cm long (you can make these longer or shorter if you wish, but you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly)
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until the churros are crispy and golden brown in colour
- Remove the churros from the pan and onto a piece of kitchen roll, to remove any excess oil.
- Roll the churros in a mixture of the sugar and cinnamon, then they are ready to serve.
For the Chocolate Sauce:
- Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and place into a microwaveable bowl with the double cream
- Heat in small bursts, stirring in between, until the sauce is smooth
- Set aside until the sauce cools and thickens slightly, then it is ready to serve.
Are you thinking of living in Spain? Perhaps you like the idea of submerging yourself into the traditional Spanish lifestyle and cooking Spanish recipes every day? Whatever your dream, we can help. Why not get in touch with our team of local property experts today, to find out more about how we can help you.