Picture this: you're craving something sweet, something that brings back memories of summer fairs and Mexican street vendors. That's exactly what this churro ice cream recipe delivers ; a perfect fusion of crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated churros paired with rich, creamy vanilla ice cream. This isn't just any dessert; it's a celebration of flavors that dance on your taste buds.
What makes this churro ice cream recipe so special? It combines the best of both worlds ; the warm, comforting spices of traditional Mexican churros with the cool, refreshing sweetness of homemade ice cream. Whether you're hosting a summer party or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, this churro ice cream recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an unforgettable dessert experience that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This Mexican Dessert Recipe Stands Out
Traditional Mexican churros have been delighting people for centuries, but combining them with ice cream takes this beloved treat to entirely new heights. This churro ice cream recipe isn't just about mixing two desserts together; it's about creating a harmony of temperatures and textures that makes each bite absolutely magical. The contrast between warm, crispy churros and cold, smooth ice cream creates an experience that's both nostalgic and innovative.
What sets this churro ice cream recipe apart from other frozen desserts is its authentic approach to Mexican flavors. We're not just adding cinnamon to vanilla ice cream and calling it a day. This recipe incorporates the real essence of churros ; that perfect blend of cinnamon, sugar, and that distinctive fried dough flavor that makes churros so irresistible. Every component works together to create
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Ingredients
For the Churro Ice Cream Base
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Granulated sugar
- Large egg yolks
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
For the Churro Pieces
- Water
- Unsalted butter
- Salt
- All-purpose flour
- Large eggs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings
- Extra cinnamon sugar
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel drizzle
- Whipped cream
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the Ice Cream Base
- Heat heavy cream and milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
- Slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it coats the back of a spoon (about 170°F).
- Stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Make the Churros
- Bring water, butter, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in flour until a smooth dough forms.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth.
- Heat oil to 375°F in a deep pot or fryer.
- Pipe dough through a star tip into 3-inch lengths directly into hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels and immediately roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Churn the Ice Cream
- Pour the chilled ice cream base into your ice cream maker.
- Churn according to manufacturer's instructions, usually 20-25 minutes.
- During the last 5 minutes of churning, add small pieces of cooled churros.
- The ice cream should have a soft-serve consistency when done.
Final Assembly and Freezing
- Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving for best texture.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container.
- Layer in additional churro pieces for extra texture.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Getting your churro ice cream recipe perfect requires attention to detail. Here are professional tips that make all the difference:
- Temperature Control is Everything Keep your custard base between 165-170°F when cooking. Too hot and you'll scramble the eggs; too cool and it won't thicken properly. Use a candy thermometer for accuracy.
Churro Texture Secrets
- Make sure your oil temperature stays consistent at 375°F
- Don't overcrowd the pot when frying churros
- Let churros cool completely before adding to ice cream to prevent melting
Ice Cream Consistency Tips
- Chill your ice cream maker bowl for at least 24 hours beforehand
- Don't over-churn the ice cream; stop when it reaches soft-serve consistency
- Add churro pieces gradually during the last few minutes of churning
Storage Wisdom Always press plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream surface before freezing. This prevents ice crystals from forming and keeps your churro ice cream recipe results creamy and smooth.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Dietary Modifications
- Dairy-Free Version Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use coconut cream instead of regular milk. The coconut flavor pairs beautifully with cinnamon, giving your churro ice cream recipe a tropical twist.
- Sugar-Free Option Substitute granulated sugar with erythritol or stevia blend. Reduce the amount by ⅓ since these sweeteners are more potent than regular sugar.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Churro Ice Cream Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to your base mixture for a rich chocolate version. This creates a Mexican hot chocolate inspired churro ice cream recipe that's absolutely divine.
- Dulce de Leche Swirl Fold in ½ cup of dulce de leche during the last few minutes of churning. This adds authentic Mexican flavor depth to your churro ice cream recipe.
- Spiced Version Include a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or Mexican chile powder for a more complex spice profile that elevates the traditional churro flavors.
- Making this churro ice cream recipe your own is part of the fun ; experiment with different spice combinations to find your perfect blend.
Equipment Recommendations
Essential Equipment
- Ice cream maker (4-6 quart capacity recommended)
- Candy thermometer for accurate custard temperature
- Fine-mesh strainer for smooth ice cream base
- Deep pot or fryer for churros
- Piping bag with star tip for authentic churro shapes
- Budget-Friendly Alternatives If you don't have an ice cream maker, use the freeze-and-stir method every 30 minutes for 4-6 hours. While more labor-intensive, it still produces excellent results for your churro ice cream recipe.
- Pro-Level Tools A kitchen scale ensures consistent measurements, especially important for the churro dough. Digital probe thermometers give more accurate readings than traditional candy thermometers.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Proper Storage Techniques
- Refrigerator Storage The ice cream base can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. This actually improves flavor development and makes your churro ice cream recipe even more delicious.
- Freezer Guidelines Homemade ice cream stays fresh for up to 2 weeks when properly stored. Keep it in the coldest part of your freezer, usually the back.
Make-Ahead Strategies
- Churros can be made earlier in the day and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Add them to the ice cream just before churning to maintain their crispiness.
- For best texture, let your churro ice cream recipe soften for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before scooping if it's been frozen for more than 24 hours.
Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
Here's the game-changing secret that transforms an ordinary churro ice cream recipe into something extraordinary: toast your cinnamon before adding it to the ice cream base. Simply heat the ground cinnamon in a dry pan for 30 seconds until fragrant. This simple step releases the essential oils and creates a deeper, more complex flavor that makes people wonder what makes your churro ice cream recipe so incredibly special.
The second secret involves the churros themselves. Instead of making them perfectly uniform, create different sizes ; some small pieces for texture throughout the ice cream, and larger pieces that create delightful surprises in each bite. This technique ensures that every spoonful of your churro ice cream recipe delivers both creamy ice cream and satisfying churro crunch, creating the perfect balance that keeps people coming back for more.
FAQ
What ice cream goes well with churros?
Vanilla ice cream is the classic choice, but cinnamon, dulce de leche, and Mexican vanilla work beautifully with churros. The key is choosing flavors that complement rather than compete with the cinnamon-sugar coating. This churro ice cream recipe combines the best of both by infusing the ice cream itself with churro flavors.
How to make a fake churro?
Baked churros are a healthier alternative to fried ones. Pipe the dough onto parchment paper, brush with melted butter, and bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes. While the texture differs slightly from traditional fried churros, they still work wonderfully in this churro ice cream recipe.
How is Mexican ice cream made?
Traditional Mexican ice cream often incorporates unique ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla beans, condensed milk, and sometimes even chiles. It's typically richer and denser than American ice cream, with bold flavors that make desserts like this churro ice cream recipe so memorable.
What not to do when making churros?
Never add eggs to hot dough mixture or they'll scramble. Don't skip the cooling period before adding eggs. Avoid overcrowding the oil when frying, as this drops the temperature and creates soggy churros that won't work well in your churro ice cream recipe.
Sweet Endings ; More Frozen Delights to Try
This churro ice cream recipe represents just the beginning of your homemade ice cream journey. The techniques you've learned here ; from making perfect custard bases to incorporating mix-ins ; apply to countless other frozen dessert adventures. The satisfaction of creating something this special from scratch is unmatched, and the smiles on your family's faces make every step worthwhile.
Ready to expand your ice cream repertoire? Try our Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe for a fruity twist that combines tangy cream cheese with sweet strawberries, or dive into our rich Red Velvet Ice Cream Recipe that brings the beloved cake flavor to frozen form. Each recipe builds on the foundation skills you've developed with this churro ice cream recipe, taking your dessert game to professional levels that'll impress everyone who tries them.
With love
By Lisa Johnson💛
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Pairing
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Churro Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Ice cream maker 4–6 quart capacity recommended
- 1 Candy thermometer For accurate custard temperature
- 1 Fine-mesh strainer Ensures smooth ice cream base
- 1 Deep pot or fryer For frying churros
- 1 Piping bag with star tip For authentic churro shape
- 1 Airtight container For freezing ice cream
- 1 Mixing bowls For custard and dough preparation
- 1 Whisk For mixing custard and eggs
- 1 Spatula For stirring and folding
- 1 Paper towels For draining churros
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 cup Whole milk
- ¾ cup Granulated sugar
- 6 large Egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon Toast for richer flavor
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Churro Pieces
- 1 cup Water
- ½ cup Unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 3 large Eggs
- Vegetable oil For frying
- ½ cup Granulated sugar For coating
- 2 tablespoons Ground cinnamon For coating
Optional Toppings
- Chocolate sauce Optional drizzle
- Caramel sauce Optional drizzle
- Whipped cream Optional topping
- Extra cinnamon sugar For garnish
Instructions
- Heat cream and milk, whisk yolks with sugar, temper, cook custard, add vanilla & cinnamon, chill.
- Boil water, butter, salt, stir in flour, cool, beat eggs, pipe, fry churros, roll in cinnamon sugar.
- Churn chilled custard, add churro pieces in last 5 min.
- Transfer to container, layer churros, cover with plastic wrap, freeze.
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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