Name: Churros with sourdough starter
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 120 gram water; 100 gram sourdough starter (discarded); 65 gram Wheat flour; 1 tablespoon butter; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 1/2 tablespoon sugar; 3 tablespoon sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

What has sourdough crackers, puff pastry, and churros in common except that they taste good?
You can use your discarded sourdough starter when cooking them.
I have already written about sourdough crackers and puff pastry, and now it’s time for churros.

Like most deep fried things, churros are very addictive. And if you dip them in a creamy chocolate sauce, they are just irresistible.
And the best thing is that they are so easy to make. In less than 20 minutes you will have a pile of decadence that taste like it’s a godsend. You only need five ingredients. Wheat flour, salt, sugar, vegetable oil, and sourdough starter. But to make them even more delicious, I urge you to add cinnamon and some butter as well.

But why the sourdough starter? Do churros need to ferment?
No, they don’t. If you look at different recipes, you won’t find any yeast whatsoever. Most of the bacteria or yeast in your starter will most certainly die when you mix it with boiling water.

But that’s not the point.
The point is that you don’t have to waste that discarded starter. And perhaps you are sick and tired of pancakes, muffins, waffles or whatever you have used you discard for, and want fresh ideas.
Try to make churros with a hint of sourdough. You won’t regret it.

Preparing the dough

Combine water, sugar, salt, and butter in a saucepan and bring it to boil over high heat. Stir in the flour and sourdough starter with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture forms into a ball.
That’s it. Your dough is ready.

Heat up the oil.

If you don’t have a deep fryer, you can use a pot. Just make sure you use one with a heavy bottom and high sides. You don’t want the oil to boil over all over the stove top.
It can become a bit nasty. Take my word for it I’ve been there.

Heat up 2 -3 inches of vegetable oil in the pot until it reaches 360ºF/180ºC. But please be careful with that oil. It can cause severe burns, so keep animals and small children on a healthy distance.

While you are waiting for the oil to heat, you can mix sugar with cinnamon. Place the mixture on a plate so you can roll the fried churros in it.

Start frying

A pastry bag is the best choice when forming the churros. A star-shaped tip gives a traditional look.
Squeeze out the dough in 2-3 inch / 50-75 mm long strips directly into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
Transfer the churros to a plate lined with paper towels and let them drain.
But not for too long.
As soon as they are cool enough to handle, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Feel free to taste on, but try to refrain from eating all of them.

Chocolate sauce is a must when eating churros. So I’ll provide you with a simple recipe.
Mix the same amount of sugar, heavy cream, and cacao/cocoa powder in a saucepan. If you want it thicker, you can also add some cornstarch.
Heat the mixture while stirring with a whisk. It’s ready when it boils.

Now you only have to do one more thing.
Dip the churros in the chocolate sauce and enjoy.