Churros with Chocolate Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove from heat and immediately add the all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth ball of dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 1-2 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it cool for 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and glossy. The dough will look separated at first but will come together. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle.

In a large heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350-375F (175-190C). While the oil heats, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon in a shallow dish for the churro coating. Ensure your frying area is safe and well-ventilated.

Carefully pipe 4-6 inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, using kitchen shears or a knife to cut the dough from the piping bag. Fry 3-4 churros at a time to avoid overcrowding, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 2-4 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to remove churros from the oil.

Immediately transfer the hot, fried churros to the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll them gently to coat evenly on all sides. Place the coated churros on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil and keep them crispy while you prepare the chocolate sauce.

In a separate small saucepan, whisk together milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a small serving bowl.

Serve the warm, crispy churros immediately with the rich, warm chocolate dipping sauce. This is a delightful treat best enjoyed fresh.