Waffle Churros

Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means its the perfect opportunity to surprise your significant other with a romantic breakfast. These waffle churros, served with a chocolate sauce on the side, are decadent but not too sweet first thing in the morning. If you've got other plans for breakfast, they make a fantastic dessert for two as well.

Waffle Churros (from Serious Eats)

Ingredients:

For the Batter:
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs

For the Topping and Chocolate Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1 teaspoon corn syrup
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

In a small saucepan, bring water, butter, salt, sugar, and cinnamon to a simmer over high heat. When butter has melted and sugar and salt have dissolved, lower heat to medium, add flour, and stir rapidly. The batter will form quickly as the flour absorbs the water mixture. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat and allow mixture to stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan over low heat, combine cream, chocolate, and corn syrup and stir frequently until chocolate begins to melt. Turn heat down to low until chocolate is completely melted, then cover and set aside.

Add eggs one at a time to batter mixture, stirring until each is incorporated. The batter will be very stiff and look a bit like buttercream frosting.

Preheat the waffle iron (set to medium if it has temperature settings.) Coat both sides of the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray.

Mix sugar and cinnamon on a plate for dipping. Once waffle iron is hot, place about 1/4 cup of batter on each section of waffle iron. Do not overstuff—the batter will expand considerably. Close the lid and cook until churros are golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer churros to a plate and repeat with remaining batter. I was able to make about one and a half waffles using this method in my Belgian waffle maker.

Brush cooked churros with melted butter and then dip them in cinnamon sugar. If you have a Belgian waffle maker you may need to spoon the cinnamon sugar into the waffle crevices to get an even coating. Shake to remove excess cinnamon sugar. Serve warm with chocolate sauce on the side for dipping.

Though these make a great breakfast, I might not eat them in bed, only because you would be certain to get some cinnamon sugar crumbs in your sheets. If that doesn't bother you then by all means go for it!