Pioneer Woman Churros Recipes

CHURRO CHIP SUNDAE

Steps:

• For the churro chips: Add 1 to 2 inches vegetable oil to a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, mix together the sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl, then set aside.
• When the oil is ready, add the wonton wrappers in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Cook until golden and crisp, about a minute. Remove the chips and toss with a good amount of the cinnamon mixture; you don't want to skimp! Repeat with the remaining wonton wrappers and cinnamon mixture.
• For the sundaes: Add a scoop of each of the ice creams to a bowl. Add some chips around the edge, crushing a few over the top for good measure. Top with the whipped cream, cherries, dulce de leche and sprinkles. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 3 more sundaes.

EASY CHURROS

Steps:

• Fill a large, wide pot with about 1 1/2 inches of oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 365 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the pancake mix, allspice and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the hot water and whisk until well combined. Spoon the dough into a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip.
• Combine the sugar and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl, then transfer to a sugar shaker (or use a small mesh strainer).
• When the oil has reached temperature, carefully pipe approximately 3-inch tubes of batter directly into the oil, working in batches if necessary and using a knife to cut the dough between churros. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over, about 3 minutes per batch. Drain the churros very briefly on a paper-towel-lined plate, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.
• Serve immediately with chocolate sauce on the side for dipping if using.

QUICK CHURROS

Steps:

• For the churros: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet to 360 degrees F.
• Put the milk, butter, granulated sugar, salt and 1 1/4 cups water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Mix the flour and baking soda together in a small bowl.
• Remove the water mixture from the heat and, with a wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture. Continue to stir until the mixture comes together in a ball, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes while making the caramel.
• For the caramel: Combine the brown sugar, half-and-half, butter and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking gently, until starting to thicken, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and cayenne and cook for an additional minute. Transfer the mixture to a dipping bowl.
• Working in 2 batches, transfer the batter to a thick plastic piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe tubes about 5 inches in length into the hot oil. Cook until dark golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
• For the coating: On a separate baking sheet, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Roll the warm churros in the cinnamon mixture and transfer to a serving platter. Repeat with the second batch of batter. Serve alongside the caramel.

CHEATER CHURROS

Steps:

• Put the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot fitted with a deep-frying thermometer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. Place a cooling rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
• Fit a large piping bag with a small star tip.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Pour in the milk and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously to form a thick dough. Transfer the dough to the prepared piping bag and squeeze to press the dough down towards the tip.
• Carefully squeeze about 3 inches of dough into the hot oil. Use a pair of kitchen shears to trim the end of the churro from the piping bag. Repeat this process to create 3 more churros. Fry the churros, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Lift the churros out of the hot oil and allow any excess oil to drip off. Place the churros onto the cooling rack and continue this process until all of the dough has been fried.
• Place the granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Dredge the warm churros in the sugar until evenly coated on all sides. Serve with the Chocolate Dipping Sauce.
• Put the fudge, cream, cinnamon, chili powder and salt in a small saucepot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

SHORT-CUT CHURROS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it reaches about 375 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
• Separate the biscuits, then gently press and elongate into 1/3-inch-thick rectangles. Cut each rectangle into 1/4-inch slices--you should get about 8 long slices per biscuit. Twist the ends of each slice in opposite directions 4 times.
• Fry the churros in batches, stirring and flipping as needed, about 30 seconds per batch.
• Remove the churros to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain, then toss in the cinnamon sugar.
• Serve warm with the fudge sauce on the side.

BAKED MINI CHURRO BITES

Steps:

• For the churros: Adjust the oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Bring 4 tablespoons of the butter, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the salt and 1/2 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir constantly until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-low until the dough is cool to the touch. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until incorporated. Transfer to a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch wide star tip.
• Pipe the batter into 2-inch lengths about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, rotating the trays from top to bottom about halfway through, 15 to 18 minutes. Let sit on the baking sheets for a few minutes.
• Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Toss 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in another medium bowl. Working in small batches, dip the churros completely in the melted butter and let any excess drip off, then toss in the cinnamon-sugar until completely coated. Once the cinnamon-sugar mixture is too wet to coat, mix together a fresh batch with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. The churros can be baked and coated 1 day ahead of time and stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
• For the caramel-mango sauce: Bring, the sugar, salt and 1/4 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the saucepan occasionally but not stirring, until the mixture turns a medium caramel color (slightly darker than honey), about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the mango and butter (take care, the mixture will bubble). Let the mixture cool for a few minutes in the saucepan, then transfer to a food processor and process until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. The caramel-mango sauce can be made a day ahead. Serve the churros with the caramel-mango sauce for dipping.