Five Spice Churros Recipes

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 400˚. Whisk the flour, cream of tartar, 1/2 teaspoon each five-spice powder and cinnamon, the baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time until combined. Beat in the vanilla, then reduce the speed to low and beat in the flour mixture until combined.
• Mix the red sanding sugar and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each five-spice powder and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each), then roll them in the red sugar. Arrange 3 inches apart on 2 unlined baking sheets.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies spread, crackle in the centers and are lightly golden around the edges, 9 to 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the pans, then remove the cookies to racks to cool completely.

Steps:

• Preheat a deep-fryer or place the vegetable oil into a medium pot over medium-high heat until the oil is 350 degrees F.
• Place the butter, brown sugar, Mexican vanilla extract, salt and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a whisk to combine thoroughly and quickly. Lower the heat to low and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each one. Once both are added, stir vigorously until the dough is homogenous. Place in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Combine the granulated sugar, turbinado sugar, cacao nibs, Mexican cinnamon, flaky salt and chipotle powder in a bowl and pour onto a quarter-sheet tray or shallow dish. Set aside.
• Carefully pipe the dough mixture into the oil, cutting when each piece is 5 inches long, and cook in batches, separating to prevent sticking with tongs or a spider, until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the oil and place on a tray lined with a paper towel to drain. While still hot, transfer to the sugar mixture and roll until thoroughly coated. Repeat with the remaining dough and serve immediately.
• As street food, these would be served in a heavy paper cone. At home, they can be served in a coffee cup standing up or in a small short vase.

Steps:

• Combine the milk, cream, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds in a medium saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds. Whisk the mixture until smooth. Keep warm.;
• Put the oil into a large saucepan and heat over medium heat until a deep fry thermometer registers 365 degrees F. Place several layers of paper towels on a baking sheet and set aside.
• Combine the water, butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the butter is completely melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the flour, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon anise seeds and quickly beat with a wooden spoon until a ball is formed and the mixture becomes dry, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat for one minute to allow some of the steam to escape the mixture and to cool slightly before adding the eggs. Add the eggs, one a time, beating every time until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and beat for 20 seconds longer. Scrape the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Combine the remaining 1 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon anise in a baking dish.
• Working in batches, pipe 6-inch strips of the dough into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, turning once. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider to the prepared paper towel-lined baking sheet. Let the churros drain for 30 seconds and immediately toss in the sugar mixture. Serve the churros warm with the chocolate dipping sauce on the side.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 10-cup Bundt pan, making sure to get in all the crevices; dust with flour and tap out the excess. Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the egg yolks. Beat in the sour cream until combined. (The batter may look curdled.) Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk; beat until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top and tap the bottom of the pan against the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles. Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes in the pan; loosen the edge of the cake with a wooden skewer and invert onto the rack to cool completely.
• Make the cinnamon sugar topping: Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Working in sections, brush the cake with the melted butter. Hold the cake over the bowl and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar, pressing to adhere.
• Make the spiced chocolate sauce: Combine the half-and-half, brown sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, chile powder and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Serve the cake with the spiced chocolate sauce.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in flour until mixture forms a ball.
• Heat oil for frying in a deep fryer or deep pot to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Pipe 5- to 6-inch strips of dough into the hot oil using a sturdy pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip. Do not overcrowd the oil. Fry until golden; drain on paper towels.
• Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture.