Orange-Kissed Churros with “Hot” Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:
Churros
1 large navel orange
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
Canola oil, for frying

“Hot” Chocolate Dipping Sauce
4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 Tbsp each water and sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Cinnamon Sugar
1/2 cup sugar plus 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, mixed

You’ll also need: large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-in. star tip

Directions:
1. Line 2 or 3 large baking sheets with wax paper; dust liberally with flour.

2. Churro Dough: Grate zest from orange and reserve. Juice the orange and pour into 1-cup measure; add water so juice measures 1 cup. Bring orange juice mixture, zest, butter and salt to a rolling boil over high heat in 2-qt saucepan; stir in flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon over low heat until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and forms a ball, about 1 minute; remove from heat.

3. Transfer mixture to large bowl of stand mixer. With mixer on medium speed, add eggs, one at a time, beating until a smooth paste forms. Spoon mixture into pastry bag; pipe twenty-eight 3-in. hearts onto baking sheets. Let air-dry 30 minutes. Carefully loosen each churro with floured fingers to make sure bottoms aren’t sticking to paper.

4. Dipping Sauce: Place chocolate, water and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter, vanilla and cayenne, if desired. Keep warm.

5. Fill a deep 10-in. skillet with 1 in. oil. Heat oil to 350ºF. With floured fingers, lift churro hearts by the rounded tops and drop into oil (6 at a time). Fry until golden, turning, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Lift with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

6. Place cinnamon sugar in a medium bowl. Toss warm churros in cinnamon sugar to coat. Serve with dipping sauce.