Caramel Spiced Apple Churros

Featured in: Sweet Smile

Enjoy the warm flavors of autumn with golden churros blended with grated apple and a medley of spices. Each churro is tossed in a fragrant cinnamon-nutmeg sugar while still warm, creating a sweet, crunchy finish. Serve them fresh and crisp with a homemade caramel sauce enriched with butter, cream, and vanilla for decadent dipping. These treats come together in under an hour for a festive dessert that pairs well with vanilla ice cream or a cozy evening gathering. Try swapping apple for pear or adding cardamom for extra depth.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:18:00 GMT
Crispy caramel spiced apple churros served with luscious caramel sauce for dipping.  Save
Crispy caramel spiced apple churros served with luscious caramel sauce for dipping. | grinnosh.com

Crispy golden churros infused with warm spices and apple are served with a rich caramel sauce for dipping. This is the perfect fall-inspired treat for dessert lovers!

The first time I made these caramel spiced apple churros, the crisp edges and soft centers wowed my family. The caramel sauce quickly became everyone&s favorite part, disappearing almost before the last churro was fried!

Ingredients

  • Churros: 1 cup (240 ml) water, 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter, 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 medium apple peeled and finely grated (about 1/2 cup), 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 2 large eggs
  • For Frying: Vegetable oil for deep frying
  • Spiced Sugar Coating: 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • Caramel Sauce: 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 2 tbsp (30 ml) water, 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream, Pinch of sea salt, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare Churro Dough:
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Add Apple and Flavor:
Stir in vanilla and grated apple. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
Reduce heat to low and add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the pan sides (about 2 minutes).
Cool and Add Eggs:
Remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until smooth and glossy.
Prepare for Frying:
Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Fry the Churros:
Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Pipe 5-inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting with scissors. Fry 4 to 5 at a time, turning occasionally, until golden brown (2 to 3 minutes per batch).
Drain and Coat:
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Toss warm churros in the spiced sugar coating.
Make Caramel Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook over medium heat without stirring until deep amber, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter, then cream, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
Serve:
Serve churros warm with caramel sauce for dipping.
Golden churros filled with apple and spices, perfect for fall dessert cravings.  Save
Golden churros filled with apple and spices, perfect for fall dessert cravings. | grinnosh.com

Sharing these churros after dinner easily became a new family tradition. Everyone loved getting messy with caramel and spices, and the batch never lasted long enough for leftovers!

Required Tools

Saucepan, mixing bowls, box grater, piping bag with large star tip, deep frying pot, slotted spoon, paper towels, scissors

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 340, Total Fat 18 g, Carbohydrates 44 g, Protein 4 g

Diet & Category

Dessert, vegetarian, Spanish-American fusion, medium difficulty

Warm churros dusted with spiced sugar and side of rich caramel sauce. Save
Warm churros dusted with spiced sugar and side of rich caramel sauce. | grinnosh.com

Enjoy these golden apple churros warm, with plenty of caramel sauce. They&re sure to bring smiles around your table!

Recipe FAQ

How do I get churros crispy?

Fry churros in hot oil at 350°F, turn occasionally, and drain well on paper towels for maximum crispiness.

Can I use a different fruit?

Yes, substitute pear for apple or try other grated fruits for a unique twist on the flavor.

What are the best spices for these churros?

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and even cardamom add warm depth to the dough and coating.

Is homemade caramel sauce necessary?

Homemade caramel offers rich flavor and texture, but quality store-bought versions can save time.

How do I serve these churros?

Serve churros warm with the caramel sauce for dipping, and consider vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Can dough be made ahead?

The dough is best cooked immediately, but the caramel sauce can be prepared in advance.

Caramel Spiced Apple Churros

Golden churros infused with spiced apple, rolled in sugar, and served with silky caramel for dipping.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
45 min
Created by Hannah Lewis


Skill level Medium

Heritage Spanish-American Fusion

Output 4 Portions

Dietary guidelines Meat-free

Components

Churros

01 1 cup water
02 1/4 cup unsalted butter
03 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 1 medium apple, peeled and finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
07 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
11 2 large eggs

For Frying

01 Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Spiced Sugar Coating

01 1/2 cup granulated sugar
02 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
03 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Caramel Sauce

01 1/2 cup granulated sugar
02 2 tablespoons water
03 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 1/4 cup heavy cream
05 Pinch sea salt
06 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Stage 01

Prepare Churro Dough Base: Combine water, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.

Stage 02

Incorporate Apple and Vanilla: Stir in vanilla extract and finely grated apple. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until apple is softened.

Stage 03

Add Flour and Spices: Reduce heat to low, then add all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides, about 2 minutes.

Stage 04

Cool Mixture and Add Eggs: Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.

Stage 05

Prepare for Frying: Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.

Stage 06

Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pot to 350°F.

Stage 07

Pipe and Fry Churros: Pipe 5-inch strips of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting with scissors. Fry 4 to 5 at a time, turning occasionally until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per batch.

Stage 08

Drain Churros: Remove fried churros from oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Stage 09

Coat With Spiced Sugar: While still warm, toss churros in spiced sugar coating mixture to evenly coat.

Stage 10

Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the mixture becomes a deep amber color, 5 to 7 minutes.

Stage 11

Finish Sauce: Remove the caramel from heat, immediately whisk in unsalted butter, followed by heavy cream, sea salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and glossy.

Stage 12

Serve: Arrange warm churros on a platter and serve with the prepared caramel sauce for dipping.

Necessary tools

  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Box grater
  • Piping bag with large star tip
  • Deep frying pot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Paper towels
  • Scissors

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about ingredients.
  • Contains eggs, dairy, and wheat.
  • Review caramel ingredients if opting for commercial sauce.

Nutrient content (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional nutritional advice.
  • Energy: 340
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44 g
  • Proteins: 4 g