Description
These Baked Churro Bites with Homemade Dulce de Leche are a delightful twist on the classic fried churros, offering a lighter yet equally delicious dessert option. Soft, golden churro balls dusted in cinnamon sugar perfectly complement the rich, creamy, caramel-flavored dulce de leche made from scratch. This recipe combines baking and stovetop simmering to create an indulgent treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Churro Bites
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon (for dusting)
Homemade Dulce de Leche
- 4 cups milk (whole or lower fat)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda dissolved in 2 tsp water
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside for the churro bites.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and set aside for dusting the churro bites later.
- Make Churro Dough: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add water, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add Flour and Eggs: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the flour with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides. Gradually add the beaten eggs in three additions, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth dough.
- Shape the Churro Bites: Form the dough into 1-inch balls by hand or pipe them using a pastry bag onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them out evenly.
- Bake the Churro Bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the churro bites are golden brown and set. Remove from oven immediately.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: While the churro bites are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly. Set aside.
- Prepare Dulce de Leche Base: In a large pot, combine milk, sugar, and pinch of salt if using. Heat over medium heat until the mixture reaches a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Add Baking Soda and Simmer: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the dissolved baking soda carefully, as the mixture may foam up. Return to low heat and maintain a gentle simmer. Stir every 15 minutes, preventing burning at the bottom.
- Cook Dulce de Leche: Continue simmering the milk mixture for 1 to 1.5 hours until it turns a golden brown caramel color and thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Store Dulce de Leche: Transfer the dulce de leche to a jar and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 4 weeks.
- Serve: Serve the warm churro bites alongside a small bowl of homemade dulce de leche for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use a piping bag with a star tip for more traditional churro shapes, but forming balls is quicker and works well for bites.
- Use whole milk for richer dulce de leche; low-fat milk will yield a lighter result but still delicious.
- Watch the milk mixture carefully during simmering to prevent burning and ensure smooth caramel.
- The churro bites are best enjoyed fresh and warm but keep any leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container.
- The baked churro bites are a lower-fat alternative to traditional fried churros without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: baked churros, churro bites, dulce de leche, homemade caramel, Mexican dessert, cinnamon sugar churros, baked dessert
