Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of a dessert that’s equal parts delightful, delicious, and downright adorable, Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar may just steal your heart. Imagine churros that are golden and crispy on the outside, tender and fluffy within, each one dusted with sparkling strawberry sugar and crafted into playful heart shapes. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a birthday bash, or simply a cozy night in, these churros bring a festive spirit to any table while keeping things completely plant-based!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Whipping up Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar is a breeze, thanks to a handful of straightforward but meaningful ingredients. Each element brings something special to the experience, whether it’s crunch, sweetness, or–of course–that eye-catching pink finish.

• Water: Essential for binding everything together and creating a soft, malleable dough.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough itself and forms the base of that scrumptious strawberry sugar coating.
• Salt: Just a touch, to balance out all the sweetness and make flavors pop.
• Neutral oil (like sunflower or canola): Keeps the churros dairy-free and ensures a tender, rich dough without overpowering flavor.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the churro, giving them their signature puff and structure.
• Neutral oil (for deep frying): You’ll want enough to allow the churros to float and fry up evenly.
• Freeze-dried strawberries (finely crushed): These provide intense strawberry flavor and a stunning pop of color in the sugar coating.

How to Make Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar

Step 1: Cook the Dough Base

Start by combining the water, sugar, salt, and oil in a medium saucepan. Bring this simple mixture to a boil over medium heat. As soon as those bubbles start to roll, you’re ready for the next step. This not only dissolves the sugar and salt evenly but also gets the dough ready for the flour, ensuring everything comes together smoothly.

Step 2: Stir In the Flour

With the pot off the heat, add all the flour at once and stir vigorously until the dough forms a thick, smooth mass. It will pull away from the sides and form a ball. This technique is key for churros–it builds the slightly chewy, sturdy texture we all love.

Step 3: Prep and Pipe Heart Shapes

Let your dough cool for just a couple of minutes, then transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. To make the signature Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar, pipe heart shapes directly onto small squares of parchment paper. Don’t stress if your hearts aren’t perfectly symmetrical; a little handcrafted charm goes a long way.

Step 4: Fry the Churros

Heat your neutral oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully lower each heart into the oil, parchment side up. Once the parchment loosens (after a few seconds), gently peel it away with tongs and let your hearts fry until they’re golden and crispy—typically about 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels to catch any extra oil.

Step 5: Make and Apply the Strawberry Sugar

While the churros are still warm, mix the remaining granulated sugar with your finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries in a shallow dish. Toss each freshly fried heart in the strawberry sugar mixture until every angle is beautifully coated. Enjoy the transformation as your Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar turn the prettiest shade of pink!

How to Serve Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar

Garnishes

Set your finished churros off with a dusting of extra strawberry sugar or a few pinches of crushed freeze-dried berries right before serving. For an extra flourish, add fresh strawberry slices or a little grated vegan chocolate on the side to make these treats charismatic and photo-ready.

Side Dishes

Pair Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar with a rich dark chocolate dipping sauce, a bowl of vegan vanilla ice cream, or a swirl of coconut whipped cream. The warmth and crispiness of the churro meets the cool, creamy accompaniments for an irresistible contrast—ideal for sharing with loved ones.

Creative Ways to Present

Want a truly whimsical display? Arrange your churros in circles, spirals, or even spell out messages on a large platter. Tuck in edible flowers or serve single hearts in cupcake wrappers for easy sharing. Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar are as much a visual treat as they are a flavorful one!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar (a rare occurrence!), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll lose a touch of crispiness as they sit, but will still taste absolutely fantastic as a sweet snack.

Freezing

Thinking ahead? Freeze your shaped, uncooked churro dough hearts on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to two months. Fry straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time. This way, you can impress friends with warm churros on demand!

Reheating

To bring leftover churros back to life, pop them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes. They’ll regain their crunch and warm right through. Refrain from microwaving, as this tends to soften the churros. If needed, toss in a bit more strawberry sugar right before serving for that just-made sparkle.

FAQs

Are Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar gluten-free?

As written, this recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend; just note the texture may be a bit different, but still delicious.

Can I bake the churros instead of frying?

While traditional churros are fried, you can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes until golden. Spray or brush lightly with oil for the best crisp and toss in strawberry sugar while warm.

How do I crush freeze-dried strawberries for the sugar?

The easiest method is to pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor or spice grinder until they become a fine powder. In a pinch, you can pop them in a zip bag and crush with a rolling pin.

What if I don’t have a piping bag and star tip?

If you’re without a piping bag, use a sturdy plastic zip bag with a corner snipped off—it won’t give you the ridged look, but your Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar will still be tasty and charming!

Can I use other fruit powders in place of strawberry?

Absolutely! Raspberry, blueberry, or even mango freeze-dried fruits will make for a flavorful and colorful sugar coating. Each brings its own unique twist to these heart-shaped churros.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried making Vegan Heart-Shaped Churros with Strawberry Sugar, consider this your invitation to create something truly special—both for your taste buds and your loved ones. They’re irresistibly fun, easy enough for a weekend project, and guaranteed to make any celebration sweeter. Give these heart-shaped wonders a try and let the magic of plant-based baking brighten your table!

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