Xoco Churros With Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat a deep-fryer or place the vegetable oil into a medium pot over medium-high heat until the oil is 350 degrees F.
• Place the butter, brown sugar, Mexican vanilla extract, salt and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a whisk to combine thoroughly and quickly. Lower the heat to low and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each one. Once both are added, stir vigorously until the dough is homogenous. Place in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Combine the granulated sugar, turbinado sugar, cacao nibs, Mexican cinnamon, flaky salt and chipotle powder in a bowl and pour onto a quarter-sheet tray or shallow dish. Set aside.
• Carefully pipe the dough mixture into the oil, cutting when each piece is 5 inches long, and cook in batches, separating to prevent sticking with tongs or a spider, until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the oil and place on a tray lined with a paper towel to drain. While still hot, transfer to the sugar mixture and roll until thoroughly coated. Repeat with the remaining dough and serve immediately.
• As street food, these would be served in a heavy paper cone. At home, they can be served in a coffee cup standing up or in a small short vase.

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or countertop fryer using a high heat thermometer, bring the canola oil to 375 degrees F.
• For the chocolate sauce: Bring a double broiler to a simmer over medium-low heat. Carefully melt the chocolate. Remove from the heat. With a wooden spoon or heat resistant spatula, stir in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
• For the churros: Set a large saucepot over medium heat. Add 1 cup water, the butter, sugar and salt. Bring to 155 degrees F, then dump in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate and remove lumps, about 1 minute.
• Using the spoon, add the eggs into the batter one at a time, beating after each addition, until fully incorporated. Spoon the batter into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and carefully pipe into the heated oil, forming 6-inch strips or free form shapes. Do not overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once as the underside browns. Remove with a spider or slotted spoon and drain on paper-towel-lined sheet tray or plate.
• To finish: Working quickly, combine the sugar and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl. Gently add the hot churros, tossing to coat. Serve with the chocolate dipping sauce.

Steps:

• Make the cinnamon sugar:
• In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. DO AHEAD: The cinnamon sugar can be made ahead and stored, in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 1 month.
• Make the hot chocolate:
• In a heavy 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, combine the milk or water and the chocolate. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is almost completely dissolved (there will still be small pieces of chocolate) and the mixture is steaming. Transfer to a blender or use a handheld immersion blender and process until the mixture is foamy and fully emulsified, about 30 seconds (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return the hot chocolate to the saucepan. When ready to serve, place over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.
• Make the churro dough:
• In a medium pot over moderate heat, whisk together the butter, sugar, salt, and 1 1/4 cups water. Bring to a simmer, stirring to melt the butter. Remove the pot from the heat and add the flour, stirring vigorously to fully incorporate it into the liquid. Return the pot to moderate heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the dough is smooth and sticky, about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the burner; cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Following the 15-minute resting period, add the eggs, 1 at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until completely incorporated after each addition. Spoon the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip.
• Fry the churros:
• Line a large baking sheet with several layers of paper towels and place the cinnamon sugar in a small shallow bowl.
• In a heavy large pot, heat 3 inches of oil until a deep-fat thermometer registers 375°F. Working in batches (about 6 churros per batch), hold the pastry bag just above the surface of the hot oil and carefully and gently pipe 4-inch ribbons of dough directly into the oil, using a paring knife to cut the batter at the end of the star tip if necessary. Fry the churros, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked in the center, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer as done to the paper-towel-lined baking sheet and return the oil to 375°F between batches. Toss the churros in cinnamon sugar and serve warm with the Mexican hot chocolate.