Delicious Spiced Churros Muffins
Indulge in the delightful taste of our Delicious Spiced Churros Muffins, inspired by Spain's beloved churros without the deep-frying fuss! These muffins capture the essence of traditional churros with every bite—fluffy, warm, and perfectly spiced. A heavenly blend of cake flour, nutmeg, and cinnamon sugar give them a unique twist. The secret lies in rolling the muffins in melted butter and sweet cinnamon sugar while they're still warm, creating a deliciously crispy exterior reminiscent of fried dough. Ideal for breakfast or an afternoon treat, these muffins will become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
cake flour
3 cups (measured and sifted)
baking powder
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (none)
vegetable shortening
2/3 cup (softened at room temperature)
granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups, divided (measured)
eggs
2 (large, at room temperature)
milk
1 cup (whole or 2% milk, at room temperature)
unsalted butter
1/2 cup (melted and warm)
ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2
Grease three 6-cup muffin pans generously with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
3
In a medium bowl, combine cake flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. Whisk well to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
4
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the vegetable shortening and 1 cup of the granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
5
Add the eggs one at a time to the shortening mixture, beating well after each addition. Continue mixing until the batter is pale yellow and well combined.
6
Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter, alternating with the milk. Start by adding one-third of the flour, then half of the milk, followed by another third of the flour, the remaining milk, and finally the last third of the flour. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
7
Evenly divide the batter among the greased muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 26 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9
Allow the muffins to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10
In a small bowl, pour the melted unsalted butter. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar with the cinnamon.
11
While the muffins are still warm, roll each one first in melted butter, then in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. Place them back on the wire rack and let them cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Delicious Spiced Churros Muffins?
They are fluffy, oven-baked muffins that capture the flavor and texture of traditional Spanish churros without the need for deep-frying.
What makes these muffins taste like churros?
The combination of nutmeg in the batter and a final coating of melted butter and cinnamon sugar creates the signature churro flavor profile.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (165°C) to ensure the muffins bake evenly without burning the tops.
Can I substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly denser. To mimic cake flour, remove 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour per cup and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
How should I prepare the muffin pans?
Grease three 6-cup muffin pans generously with butter or a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the muffins from sticking.
What is the purpose of ground nutmeg in the batter?
Nutmeg provides a subtle, warm depth of flavor that is characteristic of many traditional fried dough recipes and spiced pastries.
How long should I cream the shortening and sugar?
You should beat the vegetable shortening and 1 cup of granulated sugar for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
Why must I add eggs one at a time?
Adding eggs individually ensures they are properly emulsified into the shortening mixture, resulting in a stable batter and a better rise.
What is the correct way to add the flour and milk?
You should alternate them: start with one-third of the flour, add half of the milk, another third of flour, the rest of the milk, and finish with the remaining flour.
Why shouldn't I overmix the muffin batter?
Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense muffins rather than the desired light and fluffy texture.
How much should I fill each muffin cup?
Fill each greased muffin cup about two-thirds full to allow enough room for the muffins to rise without overflowing.
What is the total baking time?
The muffins typically bake for 23 to 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the muffins cool in the pan?
Allow the muffins to sit in the pans for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack; this helps them set so they don't fall apart.
When is the best time to apply the cinnamon sugar coating?
The coating should be applied while the muffins are still warm so the melted butter absorbs and the cinnamon sugar sticks effectively.
How do I coat the muffins properly?
Roll each warm muffin first in a bowl of melted unsalted butter and then immediately in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully covered.
Can I use butter instead of vegetable shortening in the batter?
Yes, you can substitute butter for shortening, though the muffins may be slightly less 'short' or crumbly and may have a more pronounced buttery flavor.
What type of milk is recommended?
The recipe calls for whole or 2% milk at room temperature for the best balance of fat and moisture.
How do I store leftover Churros Muffins?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The sugar coating may soften over time.
Can these muffins be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. It is best to freeze them without the cinnamon sugar coating and apply it after reheating for the best texture.
How should I reheat these muffins?
Warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore the soft, warm texture.
What can I do if I don't have three 6-cup muffin pans?
You can bake in batches using one or two pans, but ensure the pans cool down completely before refilling them with the remaining batter.
Is the nutmeg essential for the recipe?
While it provides the classic 'doughnut' or 'churro' undertone, you can omit it if you have an allergy or a strong dislike for the spice.
What size eggs should I use?
The recipe is designed for large eggs at room temperature to ensure they incorporate easily into the creamed mixture.
Why did my muffins turn out dry?
Dryness is usually caused by overbaking or overmixing the batter. Check for doneness at the 23-minute mark.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips?
Yes, mini chocolate chips would be a great addition to mimic the chocolate dipping sauce often served with traditional churros.
Can I use a mini-muffin pan?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the baking time significantly, likely to around 10-15 minutes. Check them frequently.
Is the salt necessary in the dry ingredients?
Yes, salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors of the nutmeg and cinnamon.
Can I use salted butter for the coating?
You can, but it will add a savory note to the topping. Unsalted butter is preferred to keep the focus on the sweet cinnamon sugar.
How much sugar is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 3/4 cups total: 1 cup goes into the batter and 3/4 cup is used for the cinnamon sugar coating.
Is it okay if the muffins are golden brown?
Yes, a golden brown top indicates that the sugars have caramelized slightly and the muffin is fully baked.