Easy Orange Churros with Spiced Hot Chocolate
Orange Churros is a variation of the traditional Spanish dessert, churros. Churros are a fried dough pastry often served with a hot cup of coffee or chocolate for dipping. Adding orange flavor to the dough gives these churros a unique and delicious taste. They are typically made by mixing orange zest into the churro dough and then shaping it into long, thin ropes before frying them until golden brown.Some variations may include orange juice or orange blossom water in the dough. Overall, orange churros are a sweet and flavorful twist on a classic dessert that will surely be a hit with anyone who loves churros and citrus flavors.
Ingredients
For the Orange Churros:
- 250 g water
- 250 g whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅛ tsp. Kosher Salt
- 350 g all-purpose flour , sifted
- Zest from 1 orange
- 15 ml 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Canola Oil or any neutral oil , to fry
For the Coating:
- ½ cup plain white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Hot Chocolate:
- 1½ liter whole milk
- 100 g sugar , to taste
- 50 g 100% pure Cocoa
- 100 g bittersweet chocolate , chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 whole clove
- 15 ml 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Orange Churros:
- On a small plate, mix ½ cup sugar with cinnamon, and set aside. Line rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or a baking mat and, in a shallow dish, add the granulated sugar and Set aside.
- In a medium nonstick saucepan over medium heat, combine water, milk, unsalted butter, sugar, and salt. Cover and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the flour, mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until it forms a smooth dough, and pull away from the pan for about 2 to 5 minutes. Next, stir in the orange zest and pure vanilla extract; continue mixing until there are no flour bits left and all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Spoon mixture to a churro maker or a large pastry bag fitted with a large star tip or a similar device for preparing orange churros.*(You must work fast and don’t let the dough get cool).
- Pipe the batter into 5-6 inches lengths about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets (the warmer the dough, the easier it to manipulate when squeezing/pipping the dough).
- When the oil reaches 350° F, gently drop a few orange churros in the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp. Once cooked, remove them from the oil and immediately place them in the sugar mixture bowl; roll each fried pastry dough to coat with the sugar mixture fully.
- Repeat frying 3 to 4 strips of dough at a time. (about 4 to 5 minutes) * Make sure you keep turning the orange churros so they can cook evenly.
How to Make Spiced Hot Chocolate
- In a medium saucepan, heat 1¼ liter of the milk. Add the clove. In a medium bowl, add the remaining ¼ liter of milk, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar, and whisk well until completely combined.
- Then pour the cocoa mixture into the saucepan and whisk until well incorporated; increase the heat to medium-low.
- Keep heating until the mixture reaches a light simmer, but don't bring it to a full-on boil. (Boiling milk changes its protein structure and gives it a different flavor).
- Once everything is creamy and smooth, add the chopped chocolate and pure vanilla extract, stir to combine, and take the cocoa off the heat. Remove the clove and divide among mugs, top with marshmallows or a dollop of whipped cream. Serve hot alongside the hot spiced chocolate milk. Enjoy!
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
Make-Ahead
How to Freeze
Allow the orange churros to cool entirely after frying. Once cooled, place the churros in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they're not touching each other. Next, place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the churros until they are completely firm (2-3 hours). Once frozen, transfer the orange churros to an airtight container or freezer bag, and seal it tightly, squeezing out as much air as possible. Label the container with the date and contents and return it to the freezer.
When you're ready to serve the churros, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw for 10-15 minutes at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the churros on a baking sheet for 5-10 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy. Once reheated, roll the churros in cinnamon sugar or drizzle them with melted chocolate or orange glaze. Serve the orange churros immediately while they are still warm and crispy.
Note: freezing may affect the texture and taste of the churros, so they may not be as good as freshly made ones. However, freezing is a convenient way to make them ahead of time and enjoy them later.
To store: Allow them to cool completely to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. It's best to store them in a single layer to prevent sticking. If you need to stack them, place a layer of parchment or wax paper between the churros to prevent them from sticking together.
Keep the container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Properly stored, orange churros can last up to 2 to 3 days. However, for the best taste and texture, it's recommended to enjoy them as soon as possible after frying.
To reheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the churros on a baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Bake in the preheated oven for about 5 to 7 minutes or until they are heated and crisp. Alternatively, you can use an air fryer to reheat them. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the churros inside for 2 to 3 minutes until they are warmed and crispy. Avoid using the microwave for reheating, as it can make the churros soggy. After reheating, you can roll the churros in cinnamon sugar again if desired, before serving.
To make orange churros, you can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The steps are to Make the churro dough according to your favorite recipe, adding orange zest or extract for flavor. Once the dough is mixed, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Cover the piping bag with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until ready to fry.
When you're prepared to make the churros, heat a pot of oil to 375°F (190°C). Pipe the churro dough directly into the hot oil, cutting the dough into the desired length with scissors. Fry the churros until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove the churros from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Once the churros have cooled, roll them in cinnamon sugar or drizzle them with melted chocolate or orange glaze. Serve the orange churros immediately while they are still warm and crispy. By preparing the churro dough in advance, you can save time when you're ready to fry them while still enjoying freshly made churros.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Orange Churros with Spiced Hot Chocolate
Amount per Serving
Calories
342
% Daily Value*
Fat
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
6
g
38
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
23
mg
8
%
Sodium
81
mg
4
%
Potassium
372
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
53
g
18
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
27
g
30
%
Protein
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
306
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
0.01
mg
0
%
Calcium
203
mg
20
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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