Heart Shaped Churros Recipe

If you’re searching for a show-stopping, playful, and utterly delicious dessert, look no further than Heart Shaped Churros! Crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside, and dusted with cozy cinnamon sugar, these festive treats are the sweetest way to say “I love you” for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any day that needs a little extra love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Heart Shaped Churros is refreshingly short—each item has a role to play in creating the perfect fry: crisp crust, irresistible flavor, and a delightful dash of nostalgia. Every ingredient here matters, so opt for the best you can find!

• Full-fat milk: Gives richness and tenderness to the choux dough, making the churros extra soft on the inside.
• Unsalted butter: Adds flavor and softness; using unsalted lets you control the seasoning perfectly.
• Fine salt: Just a pinch brings out all the warm flavors and balances the sweet cinnamon sugar coating.
• Granulated white sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to both the dough and the coating for classic churro flavor.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, creating its signature structure—scoop and level for accuracy!
• Large eggs (about 4): Eggs give the choux its lift and ensure the churros have that signature fluffy bite.
• Neutral oil (canola or vegetable): For deep-frying; a flavorless oil keeps the churros pure-tasting and golden.
• Ground cinnamon: The essential spark for churros—warm and aromatic for that classic finish.
• More granulated white sugar: To roll those hot churros in a dreamy, sparkly coat!

Variations

One of the best things about Heart Shaped Churros is how customizable they are—get creative to suit your cravings, dietary needs, or simply to match whatever you have on hand. Try these variations, or let your imagination run wild!

• Chocolate Churros: Mix a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder into the flour for a chocolatey twist.
• Vegan Churros: Use dairy-free milk, plant-based butter, and an egg replacer such as aquafaba or a flax egg to make them vegan-friendly.
• Filled Churros: After frying, use a small piping tip to fill the centers with Nutella or dulce de leche for an extra treat.
• Spiced Sugar: Swap out the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice or chai spice for a new flavor dimension.

How to Make Heart Shaped Churros

Step 1: Make Your Choux Pastry

Start by combining the milk, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan and heating gently until the butter melts and everything simmers together. This rich base is what keeps your Heart Shaped Churros tender. Once simmering, remove from heat and add all the flour at once, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. Return to the heat and keep mixing until the dough pulls away into a soft, dry-ish ball—this ensures your churros hold their signature shape and fry up beautifully.

Step 2: Cool and Add Eggs

Next, let your dough cool slightly in a stand mixer bowl (no scrambled eggs here!). With the paddle attachment on low, beat in the eggs one by one. The transformation is magical—the dough might split or appear slick, but keep going until it returns to a smooth, pipeable consistency. The dough should be thick, glossy, and just soft enough to pipe clean shapes.

Step 3: Pipe the Heart Shapes

Here’s where the fun begins: transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star or open tip. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, tracing heart shapes underneath as a guide if you wish. Pipe the dough into adorable hearts, using a dab of dough at the corners of the paper to keep it anchored. Freeze the piped hearts for at least 2 hours so they’ll keep their perfect shape when frying.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat neutral oil to 350°F (175°C)—the sizzle is the secret to delightfully crisp outsides. Carefully add a few frozen churros at a time (don’t crowd the pan), and fry until golden, flipping if needed. Remove with a slotted spoon and set on a rack or paper towels to drain off any excess oil. In just moments, your kitchen will smell like magic!

Step 5: Toss with Cinnamon Sugar

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, and while those Heart Shaped Churros are still warm, generously roll each one until they’re gorgeously coated from tip to tail. That sweet-spiced crust is absolutely irresistible—don’t be surprised if you snag a few before they even cool!

How to Serve Heart Shaped Churros

Garnishes

There’s so much you can do to garnish Heart Shaped Churros beyond the classic cinnamon sugar! Try a generous drizzle of warm chocolate sauce or salted caramel for a decadent touch. A sprinkle of edible gold dust or even a handful of freeze-dried raspberries adds a bit of whimsy and makes them totally celebration-ready.

Side Dishes

Pair your churros with a selection of dippable treats like fresh berries, small bowls of dulce de leche, or homemade whipped cream. Serve alongside café con leche or hot chocolate for a cozy dessert spread that’s impossible to resist.

Creative Ways to Present

Really want to impress? Stack the Heart Shaped Churros on a pretty platter in a spiral, stand them upright in a bouquet arrangement, or let everyone make their own dessert plate at a “build your own churro sundae” bar. For gifting, slip a few cooled churros into cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (good luck!), store cooled churros in an airtight container lined with paper towels. They keep at room temperature for about a day, staying crisp as long as moisture doesn’t creep in.

Freezing

You can freeze piped, un-fried Heart Shaped Churros for up to two months—perfect for a spur-of-the-moment treat! Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag and fry straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the cook time. Cooked churros can also be frozen, though texture is best when fried fresh.

Reheating

To restore that irresistible crunch, pop leftover churros in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes or until re-crisped. Avoid microwaving—they’ll turn soft instead of crisp—but a quick warm-up in the oven makes them taste freshly fried!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Let yourself fall in love at first bite with Heart Shaped Churros—fun to make, sweet to share, and guaranteed to delight everyone at the table. Whip up a batch for your next special occasion or just because, and watch smiles appear with every warm, cinnamon-dusted heart. Happy baking, my friend!

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