Lemony Churros Rellenos: Bright and Citrusy Filled Churros Recipe
Lemony Churros Rellenos combine the classic crispy, golden churros with a bright and creamy lemon-infused filling. These delightful treats are fried to perfection, coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, and sandwiched with a luscious lemon cream cheese filling that brightens up every bite. Perfect for a lively dessert or special snack, these churros offer a refreshing twist on a beloved classic.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 filled churro sandwiches 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Filling
- 1 cup Heavy cream or whipping cream (For a light and airy texture)
- 8 oz Cream cheese (Star ingredient for rich filling)
- 1/2 cup Sour cream (Enhances lemon flavor)
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar (Balances tartness of lemon)
- 1 tablespoon Finely grated lemon zest (Adds citrus punch)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon extract (Boosts lemon flavor)
Coating
- 1 cup Granulated sugar (For coating the churros)
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon (Adds warmth and spice)
Dough
- 1 cup Water (Brings dough together)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (Adds richness)
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar (Enhances flavor profile)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (Balances sweetness)
- 1 cup All-purpose flour (Gives structure to dough)
- 2 large Eggs (Binds the dough)
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract (Adds extra flavor)
Frying
- 2 cups Vegetable oil (For frying)
- 2 strips Lemon peel (Infuses oil with lemon aroma)
- Whip the Filling: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, then add sour cream, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon extract. Gently fold in the whipped cream and refrigerate the mixture to set while you prepare the churro dough.
- Mix Sugar and Cinnamon: In a wide shallow dish, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Set aside for coating the churros after frying.
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine water, unsalted butter, brown sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add the all-purpose flour all at once and stir vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Incorporate Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the vanilla extract. Gradually add the egg mixture to the cooled dough and beat until fully combined and smooth. This creates a thick, pipeable churro dough.
- Pipe the Dough: Fill a decorating bag fitted with a large star tip with the churro dough. Pipe 2-inch spirals onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If the dough is too soft to hold shape, freeze the piped spirals until firm.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or pot to a depth of about 2 inches. Add the lemon peel strips to infuse the oil with lemon aroma as it heats. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C). Test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough in to ensure it sizzles and rises immediately.
- Fry the Churros: Carefully add churro spirals to the hot oil in batches, frying for 5 to 6 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Coat the Churros: While still warm, toss the fried churros in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Cool churros completely to room temperature. Spread or pipe the chilled lemon cream filling onto one churro and sandwich with another churro on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure the churro dough cools slightly before adding eggs to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
- If churro spirals lose shape during frying, freezing them beforehand can help maintain form.
- Use fresh lemon zest and extract to maximize the bright lemon flavor in the filling.
- Maintain oil temperature at 375°F to achieve crispy, golden churros without absorbing excessive oil.
- Store filled churros in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
Keywords: Lemon churros, filled churros, dessert churros, lemon cream cheese filling, fried dough dessert, cinnamon sugar churros