Christmas Tree Churros with Cinnamon

Highlighted under: Flour & Frosting Recipes

Delight in the festive spirit with these beautifully shaped Christmas Tree Churros, coated in cinnamon sugar and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Anna

Created by

Anna

Last updated on 2025-12-12T18:50:16.148Z

These Christmas Tree Churros are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Inspired by the festive spirit, they bring a playful twist to traditional churros. Perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season, these churros are sure to become a new favorite!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Festive shape adds a fun element to your holiday celebrations
  • Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
  • Deliciously spiced with cinnamon and sugar for a perfect holiday flavor

The Perfect Holiday Treat

Christmas Tree Churros are not just a culinary delight; they are a visual feast that brings holiday cheer to any gathering. The unique tree shape makes them an ideal centerpiece for your dessert table, inviting guests to indulge in something both festive and delicious. As the aroma of frying churros fills your kitchen, it’s hard not to feel the spirit of the season come alive.

These churros are wonderfully versatile, making them suitable for various festive occasions. Whether you're hosting a holiday party, a family gathering, or simply want to surprise your loved ones, these churros will surely be a hit. Serve them with a side of warm chocolate sauce for dipping, and watch as they disappear in no time!

Tips for Perfect Churros

To achieve the ideal churro texture, ensure that your oil is at the right temperature—350°F (175°C) is optimal. If the oil is too cold, the churros will absorb excess oil and become greasy. If it's too hot, they will brown too quickly, leaving the inside undercooked. A kitchen thermometer can be a handy tool for achieving this perfect frying temperature.

When piping the churros, practice makes perfect. Don’t rush the process; take your time to create those beautiful tree shapes. If you don’t have a piping bag, a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off will do the trick. The star tip is essential for that signature ridged texture that helps the churros hold onto the cinnamon sugar coating.

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store the churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them crispy, avoid refrigeration, as moisture can make them soggy. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, and they’ll regain their delightful crunch.

For those who want to make churros ahead of time, you can prepare the dough in advance and freeze it before frying. Just pipe the churros onto parchment paper, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you're ready to fry, you can cook them straight from the freezer—no need to thaw!

Ingredients

Churro Dough

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For Frying

  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

Gather all the ingredients before you start to ensure a smooth cooking process!

Instructions

Prepare the Dough

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Allow to cool slightly.

Add Eggs

Once the dough has cooled, add eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition until fully incorporated.

Heat Oil

In a deep frying pan, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).

Pipe the Churros

Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe churros in a tree shape (three lines for each tree) onto parchment paper.

Fry the Churros

Carefully place churros into the hot oil, frying until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

In a shallow bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. While churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar to coat.

Serve warm with a side of chocolate sauce for dipping!

Serving Suggestions

These Christmas Tree Churros are perfect on their own, but you can elevate the experience by serving them with various dips. A rich chocolate sauce, a creamy caramel, or even a festive peppermint dip can add an extra layer of flavor that will delight your guests. Consider providing a few options to cater to different tastes and make your dessert spread even more enticing.

For an added festive touch, you can drizzle melted white chocolate over the churros and sprinkle crushed peppermint candies for a holiday twist. This not only enhances the flavor but also makes your churros even more visually appealing.

Healthier Alternatives

If you’re looking to make a healthier version of these churros, consider baking instead of frying. While the texture will differ slightly, you can still achieve a delicious treat by piping the churros onto a baking sheet and baking them at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown. Brush them with melted butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar right after they come out of the oven for a lighter option.

Another alternative is to use whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour. This will add a nutty flavor and increase the fiber content, making your churros a bit healthier while still maintaining the festive spirit.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I prepare the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before frying.

→ What can I serve with churros?

Churros are delicious on their own but can be served with chocolate sauce, caramel, or whipped cream for dipping.

→ Can I bake these churros instead of frying?

While frying gives churros their characteristic texture, you can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, but they will be less crispy.

→ How do I store leftover churros?

Store leftover churros in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Christmas Tree Churros with Cinnamon

Delight in the festive spirit with these beautifully shaped Christmas Tree Churros, coated in cinnamon sugar and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cooking Duration20 minutes
Overall Time50 minutes

Created by: Anna

Recipe Type: Flour & Frosting Recipes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Final Quantity: 12 churros

What You'll Need

Churro Dough

  1. 1 cup water
  2. 2 tablespoons sugar
  3. 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  5. 1 cup all-purpose flour
  6. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  7. 3 large eggs

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  1. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  2. 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For Frying

  1. Vegetable oil (for frying)

How-To Steps

Step 01

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Allow to cool slightly.

Step 02

Once the dough has cooled, add eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition until fully incorporated.

Step 03

In a deep frying pan, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).

Step 04

Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe churros in a tree shape (three lines for each tree) onto parchment paper.

Step 05

Carefully place churros into the hot oil, frying until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 06

In a shallow bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. While churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar to coat.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Total Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Sodium: 80mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 2g