At Home: Churro Bites

To compliment Keith's chili, I researched an easy dessert and stumbled about this mini baked churros recipe and thought it would be perfect to try.  It is such a great alternative if you don't feel like deep frying and still want a satisfying cinnamon-sugar treat. The outsides have a great crunch from the cinnamon and sugar coating, making a light crumb.  And let's face it, making desserts in mini form is just more fun.  Check out my Churro Bites on What Micky Eats...At Home. Makes 24 bites.

Churro Bites (Adapted from Sweet Tooth)

• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 teasp baking powder
• ½ teasp salt
• ¼ teasp cinnamon
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ teasp pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk

Topping:

• ¼ cup butter (1/2 stick)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1½ teasp cinnamon 

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. 

- In the bowl of an electric mixture, beat together the sugar and butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. 

- Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined. 

- With the mixer on low speed, slowly alternate adding the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just incorporated. Mixture will look very creamy.

- Use a small cookie scoop to fill each muffin tin and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until just golden brown. 

- While the churro bites are baking, melt butter in a bowl and combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish. 

- When churro bites are done, immediately remove from the pan and dip each bite in the butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

- Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

These little churro bites were so fun and easy to make.  They popped right out of the pan - I simply turned the muffin tin over onto a paper towel to catch them.  I had to refrain from licking my fingers as I dipped each one in the butter and cinnamon sugar - yum! They remind me of donut holes, but taste even better.  Keith really liked them too and we both agreed they would be perfect with a cup of hot cocoa (for me) or a simple glass of milk (for him). Since they are baked, you don't have to feel as guilty about eating 3 or 4 little bites.