If you’re searching for a dessert that’s both adorable and irresistible, Heart-Shaped Churros are here to win your heart (and your taste buds)! These golden, cinnamon-sugar coated treats are the ultimate way to say “I love you” with food. Think of classic churros, but piped into charming hearts and served with a rich chocolate dip—the kind of sweet surprise perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any celebration that needs a touch of whimsy. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, making Heart-Shaped Churros at home is easier than you think, and the results are pure magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Heart-Shaped Churros lies in their simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating those signature crispy exteriors and soft, pillowy centers. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Water: The base for the dough, it helps bind everything together and creates steam for puffiness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness to the dough and gives churros their unmistakable sugary crunch when coating.
- Salt: Just a touch enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in balance.
- Vegetable oil (for dough and frying): Oil in the dough ensures moisture, while oil for frying delivers that classic crispy shell.
- All-purpose flour: The main structure—gives churros their soft, chewy bite.
- Granulated sugar (for coating): Rolls the warm churros in a sweet, sparkly finish.
- Ground cinnamon: The warm, aromatic spice that makes churros truly unforgettable.
- Heavy cream (for chocolate dip): Creates a luscious, silky base for your dipping sauce.
- Semi-sweet chocolate (chopped, for dip): Melts beautifully to provide a rich, decadent contrast to the churros.
- Vanilla extract (for dip): Adds a hint of warmth and depth to your chocolate sauce.
How to Make Heart-Shaped Churros
Step 1: Make the Churro Dough
Start by combining water, granulated sugar, salt, and two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan. Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once bubbling, remove from heat and immediately stir in the all-purpose flour. The mixture will quickly form a thick dough—just keep stirring until it’s smooth and lump-free. Let the dough cool for about five minutes so it’s easy to handle.
Step 2: Shape the Heart-Shaped Churros
Spoon your warm dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (this creates those signature ridges). Pipe heart shapes onto small pieces of parchment paper—it’s easier than it sounds! Just draw a heart with the dough, making sure the ends meet so the shape holds. Don’t worry if they’re a little wonky; that homemade charm is all part of the fun.
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour at least two inches of vegetable oil into a deep, heavy pan or Dutch oven. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C). It’s important to keep the oil temperature steady for perfectly crisp Heart-Shaped Churros, so use a thermometer if you have one. If the oil gets too hot, the churros will brown too quickly without cooking inside; too cool and they’ll soak up excess oil.
Step 4: Fry the Churros
Carefully pick up each parchment square with a piped heart and gently flip it into the hot oil. The parchment will release from the dough after a few seconds—just lift it out with tongs. Fry each churro for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp all over. Work in batches, and be sure not to crowd the pan for the best results.
Step 5: Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
As soon as the churros are done frying, transfer them to a paper-towel lined plate to drain briefly. While still warm, toss the churros in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This classic coating clings best when the churros are fresh from the oil—don’t wait too long!
Step 6: Whip Up the Chocolate Dip
For the dreamy chocolate dip, heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just starts to simmer. Pour it over the chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor. Serve the dip warm alongside your Heart-Shaped Churros for dunking bliss.
How to Serve Heart-Shaped Churros
Garnishes
Dress up your Heart-Shaped Churros with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of extra chocolate sauce, or even edible rose petals for a romantic flourish. Fresh strawberries or raspberries alongside the churros add a pop of color and a fruity contrast to the rich cinnamon and chocolate flavors.
Side Dishes
While these churros are absolutely delicious on their own, they pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a festive brunch, serve them alongside fresh fruit salad, or even with a mug of hot chocolate or café con leche for the ultimate Spanish-inspired treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Heart-Shaped Churros on a platter lined with parchment, or thread them onto skewers for a playful, easy-to-share display. For special occasions, box them up in a cute bakery box with a ribbon, or serve them on individual plates with tiny bowls of chocolate dip—perfect for date night or as a sweet gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Heart-Shaped Churros (lucky you!), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll lose a bit of their crispiness but will still taste fantastic, especially with a quick reheat.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze churros! Once completely cooled, pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to one month. For best results, freeze before coating with cinnamon sugar, then reheat and coat just before serving to keep that fresh-from-the-fryer texture and flavor.
Reheating
To revive leftover or frozen Heart-Shaped Churros, bake them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about five minutes, or until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave, as it tends to make them soggy. Once hot, toss in fresh cinnamon sugar if needed and serve right away.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare and pipe the churro hearts onto parchment, then refrigerate them for up to two hours before frying. This makes it easy to prep in advance for parties or special occasions.
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No worries! A sturdy zip-top bag with the corner snipped off can work in a pinch, although you may not get those classic churro ridges. The hearts will still taste delicious and charming.
How do I keep my churros from getting soggy?
The key is to fry them in hot oil at the correct temperature, then drain them well on paper towels. Toss them in cinnamon sugar while warm, and serve promptly for the crispiest texture.
Can I use other flavors for dipping?
Definitely! While the chocolate dip is classic, you can try caramel sauce, dulce de leche, or even a fruity berry sauce for a fun twist on your Heart-Shaped Churros.
Are Heart-Shaped Churros kid-friendly?
Kids love both making and eating these adorable churros! The shaping step is especially fun for little hands (with adult supervision around the hot oil, of course), making this a great family baking project.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making Heart-Shaped Churros at home—they’re playful, delicious, and guaranteed to make anyone feel loved. Whether you’re making a batch for someone special or just treating yourself, these churros are sure to steal the show. Grab your ingredients, heat up that oil, and let the cinnamon-sugar scent fill your kitchen—you’re in for a sweet, memorable treat!
Print
Heart-Shaped Churros Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 heart-shaped churros
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these charming Heart-Shaped Churros, a crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated Mexican-inspired dessert perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. Paired with a luscious warm chocolate dip, they offer a romantic treat that’s as fun to make as it is tasty.
Ingredients
Churros
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Chocolate Dip (Optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in the all-purpose flour vigorously until the dough forms a thick, smooth paste. Let the dough cool for 5 minutes to handle.
- Shape Churros: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe heart shapes onto small pieces of parchment paper, ensuring each shape is consistent for even frying.
- Heat Oil: In a deep pan, heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C) to achieve crispiness while preventing sogginess.
- Fry Churros: Carefully flip each churro heart, parchment paper and all, into the hot oil. After a few seconds, the parchment will release; remove it promptly with tongs. Fry the churros for 2–3 minutes per side or until they turn golden and crisp.
- Drain and Coat: Remove fried churros using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. While still warm, toss them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, coating evenly for that perfect sweet and spicy finish.
- Prepare Chocolate Dip: Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan just until simmering. Pour the hot cream over chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir gently until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract for added depth.
- Serve: Serve the warm, heart-shaped churros immediately with the chocolate dip for a deliciously romantic dessert experience.
Notes
- Maintain oil temperature between 350–375°F for optimal frying results.
- You can prepare and shape churros up to 2 hours in advance; refrigerate them to retain freshness before frying.
- This recipe is perfect for romantic occasions such as Valentine’s Day and anniversaries or any festive celebration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 churro with dip
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
