Mini Churros With a Caramel Dipping Sauce

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:

1. 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. 

1. 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. 

1. 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.

1. 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. 

1. Repeat with the remaining dough, allowing the oil to return to temperature between batches.

1. 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. 

1. 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:

1. Place chopped chocolate in a bowl.
2. Heat heavy cream until it starts to bubble. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute.
3. 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:

1. In a saucepan, dissolve brown sugar in heavy cream over medium heat. Boil until reduced to 1 cup.
2. 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:

1. Puree mangoes and strain to get 1 1/2 cups puree.
2. 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!