Latin Flair – Churros

Posted on May 20, 2009 / 37 comments » / Latin Flair

One of the best things about living in New York City is that it literally has a little bit of everything for everyone. No matter where you come from, chances are there is a little “hood” somewhere between the five boroughs that will remind you of home. For Dominicans, hands down – our hood is Washington Heights in Northern Manhattan. I’ll talk more about Washington Heights in another post but let’s just say it’s Dominican Republic without nice weather (among other things).

Queens (home of the NY Mets) is the largest NYC borough and of the five, the one with the largest immigrant population. I lived in Queens for a couple of years and was amazed at how diverse it was from one block to the next. One minute you are in India, next minute you’re in Mexico.

Now I know Mexico has been getting a bad rap lately because of Swine Flu but you have to admit these Latinos make very tastey food. I’m not a huge fan of Mexican food but I do love these treats I’m brigning to you today. Churros are fried pastries very similar to donuts. Although my research revealed they originated in Spain, in New York they are associated with Mexican cuisine. They are one of the tastiest treats you can find in Queens from the many Mexican street vendors that sell them in Jackson Heights.

This is another one of those recipes you don’t have to turn the oven on. The dough comes together really quickly and can be mixed with a fork. I picked this particular recipe over another great one from Daisy Martinez of Daisy Cooks because this one has a hint of orange that takes them over the top and pairs well with the cinnamon sugar.
Some Quick Tips

  • Make sure your oil is hot enough when frying these. If not they will end up really soggy and oily.

  • These also fry up very quickly. So you can’t walk away from them as they will not need more than two minutes.

  • The only special equipment you will need is a star pastry tip. These are easy to find online or at your local cake supply shop and only cost a couple of dollars. I used a 825 Ateco tip.

Hope you have fun with them.

Cinnamon Dusted Mini Churros
from: Bon Appetit Magazine, May 2009

2 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk
6 tablespoons plus 1 cup sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
Vegetable oil (for deep-frying)

Whisk eggs, egg yolk, 6 tablespoons sugar, orange juice, orange peel, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes, then stir in flour. Mix 1 cup sugar and 2 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon in medium bowl. Pour enough oil into heavy large saucepan to reach depth of 1 inch. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan and heat oil to 355°F to 360°F over medium-high heat. Spoon batter into pastry bag fitted with 3/8-inch (medium) star tip. (It’s best to work in small batches here. If you don’t have a traditional pastry bag a large ziplock bag with a end snipped off will work just fine.) Working in batches, pipe several 3- to 4-inch-long ribbons of batter into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, turning occasionally and adjusting heat to maintain temperature, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Working in batches, add warm churros to bowl of cinnamon sugar and toss to coat.

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37 Responses to “Latin Flair – Churros”

  1. 1

    Shari@Whisk: a food blog — May 20, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

    These look delicious and they must smell amazing when you are making them! Yours turned out beautifully!!

  2. 2

    Risa — May 20, 2009 @ 1:05 pm

    I love, love, love churros! I love all Mexican food to be honest, but the churro is the best. I have never made them because I have a fear of frying, but I need to get over that fear ASAP!

  3. 3

    aramos09 — May 20, 2009 @ 1:43 pm

    These look really good, I’ve made churros before and made them into little bite size balls. I’m gonna try out this recipe this weekend:)

  4. 4

    Megan — May 20, 2009 @ 1:46 pm

    I saw these in Bon Appetit and dog-eared the page! I’m glad they got your approval. Now I definitely want to make them! Yours look delicious… and I really like that orange plate.

  5. 5

    Mermaid Sweets — May 20, 2009 @ 2:04 pm

    How cool – i LOVE these, and all mexican food really, but never thought to make at home. Thanks.

  6. 6

    Dawn — May 20, 2009 @ 2:21 pm

    how funny you say that you aren’t a huge fan of mexican–I’m not either really unless it’s real authentic (not taco bell or whatever), BUT when it comes to mexican desserts oh heavens yes.These came out PERFECT my dear. You did an awesome job.I bet there is none left?

  7. 7

    Teanna — May 20, 2009 @ 2:47 pm

    You’re making me homesick! I’m moving back to NYC in August and I am COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS! But I have been for a year, so… hahah! Those seriously, seriously look perfect! Better than I’ve seen from any vendor! For reals!

  8. 8

    5 Star Foodie — May 20, 2009 @ 3:28 pm

    These churros look absolutely scrumptious! I would love a taste!

  9. 9

    Manz — May 20, 2009 @ 4:01 pm

    I’m a big fan of churros and these minis look so good…I’m craving some now. Interesting recipes lately…looking forward to some more chica posts.

  10. 10

    Tracey — May 20, 2009 @ 4:20 pm

    You know, I love Mexican food, but I’ve never had churros! They look really delicious. I have a bit of a fear of frying at home so I’ll have to get over that before I can make them :)

  11. 11

    How To Eat A Cupcake — May 20, 2009 @ 4:44 pm

    Oh wow! Churros are one of my FAVORITE foods to get at festivals! You wanna come to my house and make some of these for me?? Lol ;P

  12. 12

    pinkstripes — May 20, 2009 @ 5:31 pm

    ooh…churros. I’ve been wanting to make churros. I love churros and hot chocolate. YUM. Your’s look great!

  13. 13

    Fabjena(TheBestRecipes) — May 20, 2009 @ 6:07 pm

    This is the thing I love so much! :) ) And yours are looking so yummy! :) ))

  14. 14

    Juliana — May 20, 2009 @ 6:09 pm

    Wow, these churros look great…love them. The ones that you feature look really yummie.

  15. 15

    Paris Pastry — May 20, 2009 @ 6:26 pm

    Gosh you are so lucky, I wish I lived in new york… I have never heard of churros, but I’m sure I would love them! I love Mexican food and cinnamon :D

  16. 16

    Jen @ MyKitchenAddiction.com — May 20, 2009 @ 6:47 pm

    These look wonderful! I love churros and have never made them myself. I will have to give them a try sometime soon.

  17. 17

    Liliana — May 20, 2009 @ 8:24 pm

    These look absolutely delicious. I have to make them! I am coming to NYC this summer and definitely will have find a place where I can busy some!

  18. 18

    Hayley — May 21, 2009 @ 12:16 am

    Those look insanely addicting and delicious. Thanks for sharing!

  19. 19

    Bunny — May 21, 2009 @ 12:27 am

    Any treat that’s fried is like my best friend! LOL!!! These looks so good, great job!!

  20. 20

    The Food Librarian — May 21, 2009 @ 1:59 am

    This looks so perfect! I love churros and can’t imagine how many I would eat in one sitting if I made them myself! :)

  21. 21

    burpandslurp — May 21, 2009 @ 3:41 am

    these look so dainty and lovely…perfect to dip in hot choc!

  22. 22

    steph- whisk/spoon — May 21, 2009 @ 8:46 pm

    me encantan los churros! and all things mexican (swine flu be damned!)…

  23. 23

    Ulla — May 21, 2009 @ 9:21 pm

    I love cinnamon!! Yummy

  24. 24

    food create — May 22, 2009 @ 2:02 am

    I love Churros!Delicioso~:)Thanks!You can visit me if I can visit you:)

  25. 25

    Elyse — May 22, 2009 @ 5:27 am

    Mmm, these churros look fabulous!! I have friends who live in most of the burroughs you mentioned :) Washington Heights is definitely the most far-out place to visit! Anyway, back to the food: yum, I want these churros now. Yep, that about sums it up!

  26. 26

    Jeanine — May 22, 2009 @ 8:20 pm

    Those look fantastic! Beautiful pictures.

  27. 27

    The Duo Dishes — May 22, 2009 @ 8:28 pm

    More churros please! We eat these like their pieces of popcorn. So good!

  28. 28

    Ingrid — May 23, 2009 @ 3:12 am

    Hey, thanks! I’ve never really thought of trying to make these at home! My kids would love ‘em.Happy holiday weekend!~ingrid

  29. 29

    Deeba @Passionate About Baking — May 24, 2009 @ 2:36 am

    Oh I love churros…& yours are so INVITING!! Just beautiful & delcious!

  30. 30

    Donna — May 25, 2009 @ 11:07 am

    I absolutely love churros. I will have to try these. They look fabulous!

  31. 31

    Sophie — May 26, 2009 @ 7:18 pm

    Comfort food in a dessert, yum! They have the perfect texture too. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved eating the sugar on the outside first :) .

  32. 32

    Mary Jo — May 27, 2009 @ 6:23 pm

    i’m totally scared of frying stuff, all that hot oil…but i might need to get over my fear and make these, they look delicious!

  33. 33

    Katrina — May 31, 2009 @ 9:42 pm

    Hey, I’m a bit behind on reading posts, but these look awesome. The kids love these. Yum!

  34. 34

    Laurie — June 23, 2009 @ 2:16 pm

    OMG, I am so trying these. Yum!! BTW, your site design rocks!

  35. 35

    Jaime — June 23, 2009 @ 11:24 pm

    I LOVE churros! but i'm not brave enough to make them myself :P

  36. 36

    Lynnylu — July 18, 2009 @ 8:19 pm

    Your churros are perfectly gorgeous. Great job on forming them.

  37. 37

    Bren — July 27, 2009 @ 2:31 pm

    nice to find a Latina blogger. Don't know too many of us! Haven't had churros since I was last in Spain! Best little hidden secret about our dessert! You've done it nice justice! :) Nice to have found ur blog.

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