About two months ago I was lucky enough to get to travel with a group of friends to the beautiful country of Costa Rica. It was an amazing trip for many reasons, but one was some surprise churros we ate one day.
What’s a surprise churro? Just a churro you weren’t expecting. Basically we drove back to the local airport (about 45 minutes from where we were staying) to pick up Laura’s husband, Todd. He had to come a few days later because he’s a rock star (no, really, that’s his actual job). And on our way back from the airport we saw a small county fair-looking event off to the side of the road. And they had churros! So of course we pulled over.
Spoiler: They were amazing, with a light corn flavor. I’ve been itching to make my own ever since.
Cornmeal Churros, makes 15-18 churros.
Adapted from Allrecipes.com
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
3 eggs
1 tablespoon cream (I used half and half)
oil to fry (I used canola)
cinnamon and sugar to coat the churros after they are fried
In a small pot, combine the butter, water, and brown sugar. Melt over medium/high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Just before the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat down to low and add in the vanilla extract, salt, flour, and cornmeal. Stir until a thick paste begins to form. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between. Then stir in the cream. If your mixture feels too thick (won’t be easy to pipe out of a bag), you can add another tablespoon of cream. I only needed one, but you can add more if needed. Place the dough in a piping bag fitted with a star tip. I used a Wilton tip #1M.
Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a large pot to 350°F. Pipe the churros into the hot oil, using kitchen shears to cut the batter off when you’re done piping. Cook on each side for 30-45 seconds. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
For the cinnamon sugar mixture, I’ll go ahead and level with you here, I didn’t measure how much I used. (Gasp!) I just filled a loaf pan with a 1/2″ or so of sugar, sprinkled in a generous amount of cinnamon, and gave it good stir. Then I dipped my still-warm churros in the mixture to coat them.
I’m sorry for not having exact measurements here, but honestly you really don’t need them. This is just to coat the churros. So if you don’t make enough, you can always add more to pan if needed. If you make too much, save it and use it in something that you don’t mind a little cinnamon sugar on (maybe coffee?).
We passed these around the office and they were a big hit! They have a subtle, grainy/corn texture due to the addition of the cornmeal. You’ll like it. Try it. Enjoy! xo. Emma
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
Cornmeal Churros
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cream I used half and half
- oil to fry I used canola
- cinnamon and sugar to coat the churros after they are fried
Instructions
-
In a small pot, combine the butter, water, and brown sugar. Melt over medium/high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Just before the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat down to low and add in the vanilla extract, salt, flour, and cornmeal. Stir until a thick paste begins to form. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
-
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between. Then stir in the cream. If your mixture feels too thick (won't be easy to pipe out of a bag), you can add another tablespoon of cream. I only needed one, but you can add more if needed. Place the dough in a piping bag fitted with a star tip. I used a Wilton tip #1M.
-
Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a large pot to 350°F. Pipe the churros into the hot oil, using kitchen shears to cut the batter off when you're done piping. Cook on each side for 30-45 seconds. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
-
For the cinnamon sugar mixture, I'll go ahead and level with you here, I didn't measure how much I used. (Gasp!) I just filled a loaf pan with a 1/2" or so of sugar, sprinkled in a generous amount of cinnamon, and gave it good stir. Then I dipped my still-warm churros in the mixture to coat them.
-
I'm sorry for not having exact measurements here, but honestly you really don't need them. This is just to coat the churros. So if you don't make enough, you can always add more to pan if needed. If you make too much, save it and use it in something that you don't mind a little cinnamon sugar on (maybe coffee?).
44 Comments
These look awesome! I’m a huuuuge churro fan. My mom is Peruvian so when we visit her hometown Arequipa there’s this guy that sells churro’s on the street on the square outside a cathedral and literally he makes the best churro’s in the world. I kid you not, I have contacted the food network several time on his behalf. (Okay, I actually have not done that, but his churro’s are unbelievable).
Never made my own, definitely worth a try. They look super tasty, thanks Emma! 🙂
Now my mouth is watering and I want to eat immediately one of those so yummy looking pieces!
xx from Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
my husband will be so happy tonight when he gets home after i make these!!!
They look amazing! One of my favourite desserts, especially when you have a little chocolate left to spoon out 🙂
Jenna || Jennafifi.co.uk
I’ve never had a churro before but this looks so good! I’m going to try to find a restaurant that sells these because how can I continue on without having tried these? 😉
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Wow this looks delicious! I can’t ever turn away a churro if I see it at a food festival or on a menu. I mean, it’s bread and sugar, what’s not to love!?
Those look so tasty! I am going to have to try these with gluten free flour and see how they turn out. One of my favorite things in Mexico was churros from street vendors and these amazing crepes stuffed with Nutella and bananas. Ah, the pre-gluten free days, filled with yummy food and tummy aches.
Oh my goodness these are making me so hungry! Churros remind me of family summer vacations to the wildwood boardwalk & cape may!
Hope you’re having a great day!
xo Hannah
p.s. I am hosting a giveaway for a gift card to my vintage shop, a custom flower crown, and a handmade fringe necklace over on my blog if you want to stop by and check it out! 🙂
http://thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com/2014/08/super-summer-giveaway.html
A wonderful treat for the family. Looks delicious. Blessings, Catherine
mmm! Yummy! It’s hard seeing all these great recipes while I’m at work because it makes my tummy rumble!
xoxo
Taylor
These look delicious! I will have to try to make them sometime.
I LOVE churros, they are my new found favorites… these look yum, will def try this.
xo
I’ve been obsessed with churros ever since I tried them at a great Mexican restaurant. I’ll have to try these! 🙂
x
http://gifsandgarb.blogspot.com
I’ve never eaten churros and they look so delicious! I can’t wait to try them!
yuuum!!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Oh man. Maybe you should call the Food Network. I was way into that little story and now I totally want to try his churros!
-Emma
Yes, chocolate is a GREAT addition. And I like where your head is at, making churros into spoons. Yes!
-Emma
Agree! If bread and sugar were the only two food groups I’d be a happy lady. Although it’s probably for the best that this isn’t the case. 😉
-Emma
If you do please let us know how the turn out! I’m sure lots of readers would love to hear if the GF version works well.
-Emma
I love churros! Yum xx
I’m crazy about churros! In Portugal all the popular parties have them!
(My Pretty Mess ♥)
I have to admit, I’m not the hugest fan of churros… but my husband is! So I guess I’ll have to make them for him and then try them and then maybe I will become a churro fan? Probably.
You both should love gazpacho or salmorejo, another dishes from Spain that are totally ace for summer!
Yum! I work for an international relations company and we have programs in Costa Rica – I’ve heard some amazing things and have seen gorgeous photos. I would love to go someday to experience the culture (aka FOOD) & I love your dish ware! So pretty.
Warm regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
i’ve never thought of making my own churros — these look incredible!
This looks yummy! I live in Spain so churros are pretty easy to find here, but i’ve never tried to do them at home, but this looks like a fun thing to do
love,
http://fashionarababy.blogspot.com.es/
Those look delicious! I’ll have to try to make my own, they look super easy and I’m always disappointed with how greasy they are when I eat them out. Bet that the office were impressed 🙂
These look amazing! I wonder if you can bake them….
http://www.audacityoffood.co.uk/
This looks so amazing and I can see why it was a hit. I’ll definitely love to try this out x
splasheswithfabulosity.blogspot.com.au
These look SO good! What a great recipe! I’d love to try to make churros for a dessert one night!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
My two littles love churros and I was going to do a google search to make them for dessert tonight when up popped your post! Thank you! (Also wanted to say what an inspiration you are, Emma – you’ve come such a long way from your first food blog days. You can see the confidence pouring out of you through your experimentations with food and your wonderful photos…every time I see a post from you it makes my heart sing a little!).
Mmmm I so want to make these!
man i love churros. these look so good. yumm
Julianne
http://reallifesurreallife.blogspot.com
They look super yummy! And Laura I know you husband’s music! I had never heard of the band but looked up their music and know all the words to a few of the songs. I think I’ve heard them on a Christian radio station here in NZ. You’re right, he is a rockstar! 🙂
These churros need a CHOCOLATE ABUELITA dip which is a mexican chocolate sauce that has cinnamon! Delicious:)
Lucky you! I’ve always wanted to visit Coasta Rica!! Maybe one day.. there is a churros shop in Athens, greece, amazing huh?
✿
Kisses
debsbug.blogspot.com
Hello! i’m going to travel to Costa Rica next week! can you tell me some tips for the trip???Regards from Spain
These look amazing!! I can’t wait to try them out. Churros taste so beautiful! Now to find the perfect dipping sauce! x
http://eliphi.blogspot.co.uk
Oh my goodness these look so yummy!! I had some in Spain this year and I never thought it would be possible to make them! xxx
http://www.annadorabel.com
Churros are my fav, yum!
http://thebluerevolt.blogspot.co.uk
http://thebluerevolt.blogspot.co.uk
http://thebluerevolt.blogspot.co.uk
I love churros! My cousin had churros at her wedding instead of a cake and it was amazing! A guy was making them fresh the whole night and there was a bar of toppings and fruit and dips for them. SO good.
how do you measure the heat of the oil? is there some kind of specific thermometer..?
Hello, I’m from Portugal and we eat loads of churros mostly in summer when we have little romaries going on & everyone loves them! We also have it stuffed with chocolate, caramel and it’s so delicious! Have you tried those?
Delicious! I totally love mine with tonnes of cinnamon sugar!