There’s something extra joyful about a batch of freshly made Heart-Shaped Churros. Each one is golden, crisp, and irresistibly dusted in cinnamon sugar, but shaped with a playful twist that’s perfect for sharing—whether it’s Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or simply a moment when you want to show someone just how sweet they are. Making these at home isn’t just fun; it’s truly rewarding from the first teaspoon of sugar you sprinkle to that final, decadent dunk in chocolate sauce. Let’s make memories (and churros) together!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Heart-Shaped Churros lies in their simple, humble ingredients—each one playing its part to achieve that iconic texture and flavor. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it makes all the difference.
- Water: The base for the dough, it hydrates the flour and helps create steam, which puffs up the churros as they fry.
- Granulated Sugar: Used in both the dough and the coating, sugar brings sweetness to every bite and enhances the crispy exterior.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness balanced, never cloying.
- Vegetable Oil (for dough): This ensures the dough comes together smoothly and helps the churros fry up light and crisp.
- All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy backbone of the dough, flour brings structure so your hearts hold their shape and fry up beautifully.
- Vegetable Oil (for frying): Essential for deep-frying, this gives your churros their irresistible golden crunch—don’t skimp on clean, fresh oil!
- Granulated Sugar (for coating): A second round of sugar adds sparkle and classic churro appeal, clinging to the warm dough.
- Ground Cinnamon: Just a teaspoon turns the sugar coating aromatic and cozy, bringing that familiar churro warmth.
How to Make Heart-Shaped Churros
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil over medium heat. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil—it should look a bit syrupy. Remove from the heat, then quickly stir in the flour until a thick, smooth dough forms. It might look a little lumpy at first, but keep mixing! The dough will come together in a glossy, slightly sticky ball.
Step 2: Cool and Pipe
Let the dough cool for a few minutes so it’s not too hot to handle. While it cools, cut parchment paper into 3-inch squares. Spoon your dough into a sturdy piping bag fitted with a large star tip; this classic tip is what gives Heart-Shaped Churros their signature ridges. Pipe the dough onto each square in a heart shape—don’t worry if they aren’t perfect, charm lies in their imperfections!
Step 3: Freeze for Shape
Arrange your piped churro hearts on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. This quick chill helps them keep their cheerful heart shapes once they meet the hot oil, so your efforts don’t melt away before your eyes.
Step 4: Fry Until Golden
Pour at least 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy pot, then heat it to 375°F—a kitchen thermometer comes in handy here. When ready, gently lower the churros (parchment and all) into the hot oil. The parchment will separate and float off; you can remove it with tongs after a few seconds. Fry the churros in batches, about 2–3 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully golden and crisp.
Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
Mix the remaining sugar with cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Drain the churros briefly on paper towels then, while still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat all over. This final step turns each Heart-Shaped Churro into pure bliss!
How to Serve Heart-Shaped Churros
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar always adds a little sparkle, but for a truly special touch, drizzle your Heart-Shaped Churros with melted chocolate, caramel, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. Fresh berries alongside give a lovely color contrast and a pop of tartness.
Side Dishes
While these churros easily shine on their own, they’re spectacular paired with a creamy hot chocolate, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a chilled glass of milk. For a lighter finish, add citrus slices or a fresh fruit salad—their brightness plays so well against the sweet, crunchy churros.
Creative Ways to Present
To really celebrate the heart shapes, arrange your churros on a platter in a big circle or scatter edible rose petals around for a festive vibe. Serve in individual paper cones for parties, or thread a ribbon through the hearts for a whimsical (and edible!) garland centerpiece. Heart-Shaped Churros make any gathering feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These churros are best when fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers, tuck them into an airtight container as soon as they’re cool. At room temperature, they’ll stay crisp for several hours, but if you plan to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to two days.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, freeze piped, uncooked churro hearts on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to one month—just fry directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cook time. You can also freeze cooked churros, but their texture is best the day they’re made.
Reheating
Warm leftover Heart-Shaped Churros in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to revive their crisp edges and fluffy centers. Avoid microwaving—they’ll turn soft. A quick turn in the oven brings back that irresistible crunch!
FAQs
Can I make Heart-Shaped Churros without a piping bag?
Absolutely! You can spoon the dough into a sturdy zip-top bag and snip off a corner, though your churros may be less ridged; they’ll still taste fantastic and the heart shape will shine through.
What if my churro dough is too stiff or runny?
If your dough is too stiff to pipe easily, add a splash of warm water and work it in by hand. If it’s too runny, sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of extra flour and stir until it firms up. You want a smooth, pipeable dough that holds its shape.
Is there a way to make Heart-Shaped Churros gluten-free?
You can try swapping the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend meant for baking. Keep an eye on texture as you mix; you may need a tiny bit more or less water, but the results can be deliciously close to the classic version!
What kinds of dips are good with Heart-Shaped Churros?
Classic chocolate sauce or dulce de leche are always hits, but feel free to play—berry compote, peanut butter sauce, or even vanilla glaze make wonderful partners for your churros. Offer a few options so everyone can dip to their heart’s content.
Can I bake instead of fry these churros?
For a lighter touch, you can bake your piped churro hearts at 400°F on a lined baking sheet. Brush them lightly with oil and bake 18–20 minutes, then toss in cinnamon sugar while warm. The baked version won’t be quite as crisp, but they’re still a fun and tasty treat!
Final Thoughts
If there’s ever a time to embrace a little whimsy in your kitchen, Heart-Shaped Churros are the answer. They’re as much fun to make as they are to eat, and they’re guaranteed to bring smiles with every sweet, cinnamon-dusted bite. Try them soon—and share a little love, one heart at a time!
Print
Heart-Shaped Churros Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 heart-shaped churros 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate love with these delightful Heart-Shaped Churros, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mix, these churros are sure to win hearts.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For Frying and Coating:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in the flour until a thick dough forms.
- Let the dough cool slightly and transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Cut parchment paper into small squares. Pipe the churro dough onto the parchment in heart shapes. Place in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to set.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 375°F. Fry the churros until golden brown and crisp, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss warm churros in the mixture until coated. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For extra crispness, fry in small batches and avoid crowding the pan.
- Best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 churros
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
