These Angel Food Cake Churro Bites are fluffy, sweet, and a fun twist on classic churros! They are rolled in cinnamon and sugar to create a delicious treat.
Who can resist a bite-sized dessert that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside? I love dipping them in chocolate sauce—it’s a little messy, but oh-so-worth it! 🍫
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Angel Food Cake: This recipe shines with the lightness of angel food cake. Use store-bought for ease, but if you’re up for it, homemade is even better. If you’re avoiding gluten, a gluten-free angel food cake works well, too!
Granulated Sugar: The granulated sugar is mixed with cinnamon to create the churro-like coating. If you’re looking to cut back on sugar, substitute with a sugar alternative like monk fruit or erythritol, which can work well in baking.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and sweetness to the churro bites. If you don’t like cinnamon, you can easily swap it for nutmeg or a blend of pumpkin spice for a different flavor.
Unsalted Butter: The melted butter helps the sugar mix stick to the cake bites. You can use coconut oil or a plant-based butter if you want a dairy-free version for this recipe.
Powdered Sugar: It sweetens the icing with a smooth texture. If you’re avoiding sugar, consider making the icing with powdered coconut sugar or another powdered sweetener to maintain the sweetness without the guilt.
How Do You Get the Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Coating?
Coating the cake bites evenly is key to making them delicious. Begin by gently tossing the cubed cake in melted butter to ensure each piece is well covered. This will help the cinnamon sugar stick better.
- Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon thoroughly before sprinkling it on.
- Work in small batches if needed, to get an even coating on every cube.
- Don’t rush the baking; give them a chance to become golden and slightly crispy for the best texture.
Once baked, let them cool a bit before drizzling with icing. This helps the topping set just right without making a soggy mess! Enjoy your treats!
How to Make Angel Food Cake Churro Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Churro Bites:
- 1 store-bought or homemade angel food cake (about 10-12 ounces)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Icing:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes of prep time and around 10-12 minutes of baking time. So, you can have these delightful churro bites ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes or less!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Angel Food Cake:
If you’re making your angel food cake from scratch, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you choose to use a store-bought cake, you can skip this step. Once your cake is ready (or unwrapped), cut it into small bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch each.
2. Making the Churro Coating:
In a medium bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together until well combined. This will be the sweet churro coating for your bites.
3. Coating the Cake Cubes:
Place the cubed angel food cake into a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted butter over the cake pieces and gently toss until all the pieces are coated. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttery cake cubes, and toss again so that each piece is thoroughly coated in sweetness.
4. Baking the Churro Bites:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the coated cake pieces on it. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they turn golden and slightly crispy. You’ll love the smell as they bake!
5. Preparing the Icing:
While the churro bites are baking, prepare your icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk (or cream), and vanilla extract until smooth. If your icing is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too thin, sprinkle in some more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
6. Serving the Churro Bites:
Once the churro bites are baked, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. You can drizzle the icing over the warm churro bites or serve it in a small bowl for dipping. Either way, they’ll be delicious!
7. Enjoy!
Savor the delightful twist on traditional churros with these angel food cake churro bites! They’re sweet, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible!
Can I Use a Different Type of Cake for This Recipe?
Absolutely! While angel food cake is ideal for its light and airy texture, you can use other types of cake like pound cake or sponge cake. Just be mindful that using a denser cake may yield different results in texture and soaking up the butter and cinnamon sugar coating.
How Should I Store Leftover Churro Bites?
Store any leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To maintain their crispy texture, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes before serving again.
Can I Make the Icing Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the icing ahead of time! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you’re ready to use it, just give it a good stir and add a splash of milk if it’s thickened too much.
What Can I Use Instead of Milk in the Icing?
If you’re out of milk or prefer not to use it, you can substitute with almond milk, oat milk, or even a splash of fruit juice for a unique twist. Just keep adjusting the sweetness and consistency as needed to achieve your desired icing thickness!
