If you’ve ever wandered past a churro cart, the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and sugar likely had you daydreaming about those golden, crispy delights. But let’s be honest – deep-frying them can feel intimidating, right? If you’ve been wanting to make churros at home but didn’t know where to start, you’re in the right place. This easy churro bars recipe for beginners will show you how to skip the fryer and still get those delicious flavors you love, all in a fraction of the time.
Making churro bars is a surprisingly simple and fun baking project that requires minimal skills. It’s perfect for anyone, even if you’ve never baked a thing in your life. Plus, the result? A batch of warm, sugary bars that taste just like the churros you crave. Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the details!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Easy Churro Bars Recipe for Beginners
Before we jump into the recipe itself, let’s take a moment to explore why this churro bar recipe is perfect for beginners:
- No Frying Required: Unlike traditional churros, which need to be deep-fried, churro bars are baked in the oven, making them a mess-free and beginner-friendly option.
- Simple Ingredients: To make these delicious churro bars, you don’t need many fancy ingredients. You likely already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.
- Minimal Equipment: To make these, you can use basic baking tools like a mixing bowl, a spatula, and a baking pan; no complicated gadgets are needed.
- Quick & Easy: With this recipe, you’ll be able to make churro bars from start to finish in less than 45 minutes, making it perfect for any occasion.
What You Need to Make Churro Bars: A Simple Ingredient List
One of the best things about this easy churro bars recipe is that it requires few ingredients. Everything you need is basic and easy to find at any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Churro Bar Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pro Tip
To add an extra layer of flavor, drizzle these bars with melted chocolate or caramel sauce once they’re baked.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Get the Pan Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your churro bars bake evenly and perfectly golden brown. Next, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter to prevent the bars from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. This step helps evenly distribute the cinnamon throughout the batter and ensures your bars have that signature churro flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer or a handheld whisk to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This typically takes around 2-3 minutes on medium speed. The fluffier your butter and sugar mixture, the lighter your churro bars will be.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Mix the butter-sugar mixture with the egg and vanilla essence.
Beat until well combined. Once the wet ingredients are fully incorporated, add the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients in two parts to the wet mixture gradually. Gently fold the ingredients together using a spatula or spoon. Take care not to overmix; mix until the ingredients are combined.
Step 6: Add the Milk
Slowly pour in the milk and continue to mix until smooth. Despite its thickness, the batter should spread freely.
Step 7: Spread the Batter Evenly in the Pan
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to smooth it evenly across the surface. Smooth out the top so that the bars bake evenly.
Step 8: Bake the Churro Bars
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the churro bars are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be slightly golden and pull away from the sides of the pan, indicating they are done.
Step 9: Coat with cinnamon sugar
While your churro bars are cooling, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. After letting the bars cool for around 10 minutes, cut them into bars or squares. While they’re still warm, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the top.
Tips for Perfect Churro Bars Every Time
Making churro bars is easy, but there are a few tips that will take your baking game to the next level:
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix until combined to avoid rigid churro bars.
- Experiment with Toppings: After coating the bars with cinnamon sugar, drizzle them with chocolate or caramel for an extra indulgent treat.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature to ensure they combine smoothly.
- Watch Your Oven: Every oven is different. Check for doneness a few minutes before the suggested baking time to ensure the bars don’t overcook.
- Storage: Store your churro bars in an airtight container for up to three days. They also freeze well — just wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
Easy churro bars recipe for beginners
Course: DessertCuisine: SpanishDifficulty: Easy12
servings10
minutes30
minutes190
kcalThese churro bars bring all the sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness of traditional churros into an easy-to-make, no-fry bar form. Perfect for beginners and sure to satisfy your cravings for a warm, comforting treat.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
Directions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your churro bars bake evenly and perfectly golden brown. Next, line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter to prevent the bars from sticking.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. This step helps evenly distribute the cinnamon throughout the batter and ensures your bars have that signature churro flavor in every bite.
- In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer or a handheld whisk to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This typically takes around 2-3 minutes on medium speed. The fluffier your butter and sugar mixture, the lighter your churro bars will be.
- Mix the butter-sugar mixture with the egg and vanilla essence.
Beat until well combined. Once the wet ingredients are fully incorporated, add the dry ingredients. - Add the dry ingredients in two parts to the wet mixture gradually. Gently fold the ingredients together using a spatula or spoon. Take care not to overmix; mix until the ingredients are combined.
- Slowly pour in the milk and continue to mix until smooth. Despite its thickness, the batter should spread freely.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to smooth it evenly across the surface. Smooth out the top so that the bars bake evenly.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the churro bars are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be slightly golden and pull away from the sides of the pan, indicating they are done.
- While your churro bars are cooling, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. After letting the bars cool for around 10 minutes, cut them into bars or squares. While they’re still warm, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the top.
Notes
- Storage: Leftover churro bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Customization: Feel free to drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra indulgent treat.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Make These Churro Bars Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can make churro bars a day or two in advance. Please keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Before serving, warm them in the oven for a few minutes for optimal results.
Can I Add Chocolate Chips to the Churro Bar Batter?
Absolutely! If you’re a fan of chocolate, you can mix a handful of mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking. They’ll add a rich, melty surprise to every bite.
How Do I Know When the Churro Bars Are Done?
Churro bars are done when golden brown on the edges, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Because oven temperatures can vary, keep a close eye on them.
Can I Use a Different Kind of Milk?
You can substitute milk for whole milk, such as almonds or oats. Just make sure it’s unsweetened if you want to control the sugar level in your churro bars.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been hesitant to try making churros because of the deep-frying process, churro bars offer a perfect solution. They provide all churros’ sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness without the mess or hassle. This recipe is so easy that even beginner bakers will feel confident creating their own batch of warm, golden churro bars.
So, whether treating yourself or impressing friends and family, these churro bars will satisfy your sweet tooth. Get baking, and enjoy the process of creating this simple, delicious treat — we promise you won’t regret it!
Are you ready to make your batch of churro bars? Grab your ingredients, follow the easy steps, and treat yourself to a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth experience today! If you love this recipe, don’t forget to share it with friends and family so they can enjoy it. Happy baking!
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