Cinnamon Sugar Churros Recipe

This Cinnamon Sugar Churros recipe brings together crisp golden pastry, warm cinnamon sugar, and a rich dark chocolate dipping sauce for a nostalgic dessert that feels fun, festive, and comforting. Featured on Bring on the Karbs, this recipe from Erika and Josh Karbelnik transforms simple pantry ingredients into a sweet treat that is perfect for sharing, dipping, and enjoying fresh from the fryer.

The Inspiration

Churros are often associated with Spanish, Portuguese, Mexican, and Latin American food traditions, though they appear in many different forms around the world. Some are thin and crisp, others are thick and ridged, and many are served with chocolate, dulce de leche, caramel, or coffee. The version here focuses on a beloved combination: a lightly sweet choux-style dough fried until golden, tossed in cinnamon sugar, and served with a warm chocolate sauce made from good-quality dark chocolate and cream. The result is a dessert that balances texture, aroma, and richness in every bite.

As with all recipes featured in this episode of Bring on the Karbs, this Cinnamon Sugar Churros recipe was improvised by Erika and Josh Karbelnik, and the recipe below is an approximation of what unfolded during the episode. That improvisational energy fits the dish beautifully. Churros are precise in technique but joyful in spirit. They invite you to pipe, fry, toss, dip, and enjoy immediately. Whether you are making them for a cozy dessert night, a family treat, a nostalgic party menu, or a carb-loving celebration, these churros deliver the kind of warm, sweet satisfaction that never goes out of style.

Ingredients

Vegetable oil for frying
1 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 1/2 tbsp sugar plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 cup flour
1 egg
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 cup good quality dark chocolate, cut into small pieces
1 cup heavy cream

Method

Heat enough oil for deep frying in a large heavy bottomed pot to 375 F (190 C).
In a small saucepan bring water, salt, butter and 11/2 tbsp sugar to a boil.
Lower the heat and add the flour all at once. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes together in a ball. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Add 1/2 the egg into the flour mixture and stir with the wooden spoon. Add the remaining egg and beat until incorporated.
Place mixture into a piping bag with a star tip. Squeeze mixture into oil for churros that are about 8 inches long. Fry until golden brown.
Stir together remaining sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add churros to the bowl and toss to coat in cinnamon sugar.
Warm the milk in a pot and stir in the chocolate until it melts. Continue to heat, stirring, until the mixture almost starts to simmer. Serve with the churros for dipping.

Serving Suggestions

Serve them piled high on a platter with the warm dark chocolate dipping sauce in the centre, or portion them into small paper cones or dessert cups for a fun carnival-style presentation. The rich chocolate sauce pairs beautifully with coffee, espresso, hot chocolate, cold milk, or a creamy vanilla milkshake, while the cinnamon notes also work well with spiced chai or a warm latte.

For a larger dessert spread, serve the churros alongside fresh strawberries, sliced bananas, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or dulce de leche so guests can dip and build their own sweet combinations. Because the churros are sweet, crisp, and rich, they also pair well with fruit-forward desserts or bright garnishes that add freshness to the plate.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Sugar Churros recipe is a celebration of childhood memories, sweet comfort, and the simple joy of fried dough dusted in cinnamon sugar. With a crisp golden exterior, tender centre, and rich dark chocolate dipping sauce, it delivers everything people love about classic churros in a format that can be made at home. The recipe feels nostalgic without being complicated, and every step builds toward a dessert that is warm, fragrant, and fun to eat.

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