Indulge in the Irresistible Combination of Bite-Sized Churros and Homemade Caramel Sauce Growing up, the freshly fried churros wafting through the air were always a surefire way to lure me toward the nearest street cart or festival. Something about those crisp, cinnamon-sugar-coated pastries captured my heart (and taste buds!) from the first bite.
Now, as an adult, I’ve learned to recreate that beloved childhood treat right in my kitchen – and let me tell you, these Mini Churros With a Caramel Dipping Sauce are an absolute delight.
My deep-rooted love for all things New Mexican cuisine inspires this recipe. While I may have grown up in the southeastern part of the state, it was when I moved to Albuquerque that I genuinely appreciated the nuances and regional differences in the food.
Churros are a distinctly Northern New Mexico specialty—a fact I only discovered after my first bewildered encounter with a breakfast burrito sans salsa. But I digress. Let’s return to the show’s star: these bite-sized churros. The key to their perfection lies in the dough, which takes a bit of trial and error to master.
After a few failed attempts using traditional choux pastry, I landed on a recipe that forgoes the eggs, resulting in a light, airy interior and a delightfully crisp exterior. And the secret weapon? The right piping tip. Trust me, the difference a medium-sized star tip can make is remarkable.
Once the churro dough is down, the real fun begins with the dipping sauce. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to put my spin on a classic caramel, spiking it with a touch of sweetened condensed milk for an extra layer of rich, creamy goodness. The result is a sauce perfect for dunking, drizzling, or simply enjoying with a spoonful.
So gather your loved ones, fire up the oil, and get ready to indulge in the irresistible combination of bite-sized churros and homemade caramel. These Mini Churros with a Caramel Dipping Sauce are sure to become a new family favorite – and trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to stop at just one.
Why These Churros with Homemade Caramel Dipping Sauce Are So Good.
- Perfect for breakfast or dessert
- Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
- Customizable to your taste—omit cinnamon if you prefer
- Delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Here is the full recipe for you to cook these delicious Mini Churros with Caramel Dipping Sauce.
- Yield: 36 mini churros
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition:
293 kcal per serving, 34g carbohydrates, 15g fat, 3g protein
Mini Churros With a Caramel Dipping Sauce Recipe Ingredients:
For the Churros:
- One cup + 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Two large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
- Pastry bag with medium star tip (Wilton 1 M or Ateco 824)
For the caramel-dipping sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions:
- For the churros, Combine the flour and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine the water, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then immediately add the flour mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
- Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and combined. Fill a pastry bag with a medium star tip with the churro dough.
- In a large skillet, heat 6 cups of vegetable oil to 350°F. Pipe the churro dough into the hot oil, cutting it into 4-inch segments with oiled scissors.
- Fry 4-5 churros at a time, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the fried churros to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, then toss them in the remaining 1 tbsp cinnamon mixed with the granulated sugar.
- Repeat with the remaining dough, allowing the oil to return to temperature between batches.
- Combine the heavy cream and brown sugar in a medium saucepan for the Caramel Dipping Sauce. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated. Serve the caramel sauce warm with the freshly fried churros.
3 Delightful Dipping Sauces To Try Out:
1. Spicy Chocolate Sauce:
Ingredients:
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/8 – 1/4 tsp ground cayenne
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Place chopped chocolate in a bowl.
- Heat heavy cream until it starts to bubble. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute.
- Whisk until smooth, then add butter, cayenne, and salt. Adjust cayenne to taste.
2. Shortcut Dulce de Leche Sauce:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, dissolve brown sugar in heavy cream over medium heat. Boil until reduced to 1 cup.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Serve warm.
3. Mango Sauce:
Ingredients:
- 14 oz mango puree (1 1/2 cups from 3 large ripe mangoes or use frozen)
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions:
- Puree mangoes and strain to get 1 1/2 cups puree.
- Combine mango puree, lime juice, and sugar in a saucepan. Cook, stirring often, until reduced to 1 cup (10-15 minutes).
Measuring Tips:
Our recipes are formulated using weight quantities, and we highly suggest using a kitchen scale for baking whenever possible. However, volume sizes are also provided if you like to use cups.
Important Note for Mini Churros With a Caramel Dipping Sauce:
- The aphorism “8 oz = 1 cup” is not true when speaking about weight, so don’t be concerned if the quantities don’t fit this formula.
- Weight and volume measurements can vary significantly, so using a scale is the most reliable way to measure ingredients.
- When using volume measurements, follow the proper techniques, such as lightly spooning ingredients into the measuring cup and leveling off the top.
- We encourage you to use a kitchen scale for precise and consistent results.
Use the Sized Piping Tips
It’s been a journey of trial and error, but I’ve finally cracked the code. The medium-sized open star tip, like the famous Wilton 1M or the reliable Asteco 824, is the secret to perfect churros. It’s all about that ideal size and texture.
Recipe Notes:
- For the best texture, use a medium-sized star tip when piping the churro dough. This will give you the perfect width and shape.
- If the caramel sauce becomes too thick as it cools, reheat it in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the caramel sauce for a subtle hint of heat.
- Experiment with dipping sauces like melted chocolate, dulce de leche, or a fruity compote.
- Serve the mini churros with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Ending Notes:
Enjoy these mini churros with caramel dipping sauce and make your celebration memorable with Los Foodies Magazine!