Churros

Churros Batter

Ingredients
 

• 1 cup water or milk
• 84g butter
• 2 tsp castor sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup cake flour
• 2 large eggs
• 4–6 cups sunflower oil
• ¼ cup cinnamon sugar

Method

1. Place the water or milk, butter, castor sugar and salt into a small pot over medium–high heat. Bring to a rolling boil.
2. When the butter is fully melted, remove the pot from the heat and immediately add all the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until no lumps remain.
3. Return the pot to a medium heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture forms a starchy dough ball around the spoon.
4. Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with a K beater. Beat the dough for 2–3 minutes on low speed to cool it down. When it has stopped steaming, add the eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition.
5. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 20 seconds until the dough turns into a batter, then switch off the mixer, scrape down the sides and mix for another 20 seconds until well combined.
6. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle. Refrigerate if you don’t plan to use it immediately, otherwise allow it to cool to room temperature. (If refrigerated, allow the batter to come up to room temperature before use. This will make it easier to pipe.)
7. Heat the sunflower oil to 190°C in a large pot over medium heat.
8. Holding the piping bag just above the oil, pipe 3cm-long nuggets of batter into the oil, using scissors to cut off each piece. Fry until golden brown – they should puff up and flip themselves, but if not, give them some help.
9. Remove the churros with a slotted spoon and roll them in the cinnamon sugar. 

Chocolate Ganache Sauce

Ingedients 

• 250g full-fat cream
• 250g good-quality 70% dark chocolate, chopped
• pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  

Method

1. Bring the cream to a very light simmer in a small saucepan, then switch off the heat.
2. Add the chocolate to the hot cream and mix continuously until the chocolate has melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy.
3. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to add a warm, comforting heat to your sauce, if you want.