Momma Told Me: A spoonful of sweet helps anything go down.
I consider myself rather resourceful. Out of high school I worked many odd jobs, and often 2-3 part and full time retail positions at the same time. When I got married I left a strong management position for the house, where I'd intended to make a million babies and live happily ever-after raising unicorns. Obviously the latter did not work out, but what did turn out was several fun and engaging ways to kill time and even try products for free. Product testing and (real) mystery shopping was a way for me to keep busy in between loads of laundry and give insightful feedback to companies and brands I usually already bought and loved. When it comes to the consumer-business relationship, nothing is sexier IMHO than a brand that listens to it's buyers. I value a consumer's candid opinion far more than any commercial or celebrity endorsement. And that, my friends is how I end up with a random assortment of products on my doorstep today.
But this, this is a tale about one specific product. A product I waited a patient 7 weeks to arrive, and grew so impatient, I actually broke and bought one of each variety in stores. You see, you don't mess with my sweets. I take great pride in personally trying seasonal and specialty varieties of major brand confections. Every season I meticulously hunt down and Instagram the first seasonal Oreo sighting. And there are very, very, very few seasonal M&M North American varieties I have not managed to get my enameled paws on. So, when Hershey's dropped the press release saying they were breaking into the 'spread' market with a competitor to Nutella, I was all over it like peanut butter on bread.
In December I was accepted into a single unit Sample and Share program through Crowdtap, where I was to be shipped one of the three, Chocolate, Chocolate with Almond, Chocolate with Hazelnut, Spread varieties, in hopes I would share my honest thoughts with the company in an exclusive online group. Now, I don't eat Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars (those are the classic 'Hershey's' bars). I've always thought they had a funny flavoring that wasn't quite chocolate, and I'm more of a 70%+ Cacao type girl. Hershey's is known to source their beans from a minimum of 5 different farms, and blend them together to maintain the jumbled and unique flavoring that is Hershey's. That being said, I heart the brand; it is an icon from my childhood, and the only Cocoa baking powder I will bake with.
I waited 4 long weeks to try these new Hershey spreads, then, on week 4 broke down when I spotted them at the store next to Nutella and my favorite Peanut Butter and Co spreads. If I'd had waited another 4 weeks, it would have been worth it. The complex, silky, and rich flavor of Hershey's Chocolate Spread is simply divine. It makes snacking exciting again, from frozen bananas to other fresh fruit, Nilla wafers, and peanut butter sandwiches. I'm pretty sure I'll soon be saying "I put this sh*& on everything!" This is one dip where I intentionally dig my spoon or knife all the way to the bottom just so I have the excuse of licking a little extra off before it gets cleaned!
As soon as I heard about Hershey's new Spreads I knew I wanted to make homemade churros to go with them. When my sample Chocolate jar arrived at last, just 2 days ago, I hurriedly organized the common pantry ingredients to make my churro batter. The warm, crunchy, fried, exterior of my churro sticks were the perfect companion for the silky and quick to melt along the sides, Chocolate Hershey's Spread. And, because the spreads are so rich, a little really does go a long way. I can thin a few tablespoons with an equal tablespoon of low-fat-yogurt to lighten the dip and serve it for group snacking. One thing's for sure though, no matter how you pair it, it'll be love at first spread.
What Daughter Says: Hershey's Spreads will have you parting your lips in a smile, no matter how you dip it!
Homemade Churros
Ingredients:
* 1/2 C Granulated Sugar, Plus 1 1/2 TBS. Divided
* 1 1/2 TSP Ground Cinnamon
* 1 C All Purpose Flour
* 1/2 TSP Salt
* Approx 2 Quarts Vegetable Oil, Plus 2 TBS
* 1 C Water
Directions:
1.) Combine 1/2 C Sugar with the Cinnamon in a Shallow bowl or rimmed plate. Line a separate plate with paper towels.
2.) In small saucepan, over medium heat, whisk together the Water, 1 1/2 TBS Sugar, Salt, and 2 TBS Vegetable Oil. Bring mixture to a boil, then remove from heat. Introduce flour, folding into the mixture until a solid ball forms.
3.) Heat 3 inches of oil in a medium frying pan, with a minimum of 4 inches free space to the top. Wait for oil to reach 375F, but be sure not to let the oil reach temperatures much higher, or burning may occur.
4.) Place the dough in a prepared plastic or cloth piping bag and pipe approximately 4-5 inches into the oil, using a pinching motion or clean baking shears. Alternately, you may roll 3" balls of dough into caterpillars and use these as your churro molds. Carefully bake 3-4 at a time, removing when the exterior has reached a rich golden hue.
5.) Allow churros to cool on the paper towel plate for 2 minutes, then generously roll in the Cinnamon-Sugar mixture. Serve warm.
I've seen the Hershey's spread around the 'net and it looks very intriguing. Your churros look delicious.
ReplyDeleteyummmmmm!
ReplyDeleteLove the new hair. Hershey's spread? Holy cow, I did not know this existed. I'm in trouble. Your churros look devine!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a perfect dessert - delicious!!
ReplyDeleteNo Really, I am on my way over. Please save some for me. Is a churro like a dounut inside? I am imaging a cinnamon sugar dounut and that spread! STOP IT JENNA. I am on a diet! I am so buying this for my mom who isn't!
ReplyDeleteOh, these look so amazing!! You always have the best recipes!
ReplyDeleteOh my. Wait a moment while I finish crying.
ReplyDeleteSomeone at Hershey's is my new best friend.
Oh this is probably the most delicious looking recipe I have ever seen. YUM. I love Hersheys!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I am dying over these homemade churros...and with Hersheys?? YES.
ReplyDelete