With Valentines Day next week we thought we’d get you in the mood for some yummy treats. Valentines Day doesn’t have to be all about red roses and expensive dinners. Here are some stylish little treats that are easy, affordable and will melt his heart!

The perfect way to spice up any dessert is to add some aromatic cinnamon!  With it’s amazing flavour and warm scent, it will help to create simply divine treats for your valentine.

Orange-Kissed Churros with “Hot” Chocolate Sauce Recipe

One of Spain’s classic sweet, ‘street’ foods, now becomes a decadent recipe featuring orange-flecked churro dough and a delicious hot chocolate and vanilla dipping sauce!

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

Churros

• 1 large navel orange
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• Canola oil, for frying

“Hot” Chocolate Dipping Sauce

• 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 Tbsp each water and sugar
• 1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar

• 1/2 cup sugar plus 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, mixed
• You’ll also need: large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-in. star tip

Recipe Preparation

1. Line 2 or 3 large baking sheets with wax paper; dust liberally with flour. 

2. Churro Dough: Grate zest from orange and reserve. Juice the orange and pour into 1-cup measure; add water so juice measures 1 cup. Bring orange juice mixture, zest, butter and salt to a rolling boil over high heat in 2-qt saucepan; stir in flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon over low heat until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and forms a ball, about 1 minute; remove from heat.

3. Transfer mixture to large bowl of stand mixer. With mixer on medium speed, add eggs, one at a time, beating until a smooth paste forms. Spoon mixture into pastry bag; pipe twenty-eight 3-in. hearts onto baking sheets. Let air-dry 30 minutes. Carefully loosen each churro with floured fingers to make sure bottoms aren’t sticking to paper.

4. Dipping Sauce: Place chocolate, water and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter, vanilla and cayenne, if desired. Keep warm.

5. Fill a deep 10-in. skillet with 1 in. oil. Heat oil to 350ºF. With floured fingers, lift churro hearts by the rounded tops and drop into oil (6 at a time). Fry until golden, turning, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Lift with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

6. Place cinnamon sugar in a medium bowl. Toss warm churros in cinnamon sugar to coat. Serve with dipping sauce.

By Woman’s Day Kitchen

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