Chocolate con Churros - A Sweet Camino Morning Tradition
The Magic of Chocolate con Churros on the Camino
There’s something unforgettable about the early mornings on the Camino de Santiago - when the streets are still quiet, the air smells faintly of bread baking, and the promise of a new stage lies ahead.
One of my favorite morning rituals while walking the Camino quickly became stopping at a small café for chocolate con churros(a little too often). The sound of sizzling dough, the rich aroma of melted chocolate, and the laughter of pilgrims lingering over their cups - it’s the kind of simple pleasure that lingers long after you’ve left Spain.
For many of us, this Spanish breakfast is more than a treat - it’s a sweet memory. And today, I’m sharing both the story and a recipe so you can bring that Camino magic home.
A Bite of History: The Spanish Love Affair with Churros
Chocolate con churros has been a staple in Spanish culture for centuries. Traditionally served in cafés and churrerías, churros were once considered a working man’s breakfast -quick, affordable, and satisfying.
Over time, they became a national treasure. Spaniards dip the crispy, ridged pastries into thick, velvety hot chocolate, not the sweet cocoa we know, but a luxurious, almost pudding-like drink made for dunking.
If you’ve walked the Camino, you’ve probably seen locals gathered in cafés at dawn, churros stacked on a plate and cups of steaming chocolate beside them -a simple joy that feels like a warm embrace.
Chocolate con Churros quickly became one of my favorite treats-and I did not like sharing them.
How to Make Authentic Chocolate con Churros at Home
Recreating this Spanish breakfast is easier than you might think! Here’s my tried-and-true recipe - simple, comforting, and guaranteed to transport you right back to that café in León or Burgos. My family loves this special sweet treat.
Ingredients for the Churros
1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Olive Oil for frying
Sugar + cinnamon for coating (optional)But the Spanish leave them plain.
Ingredients for the Chocolate
2 cups whole milk (or almond milk)
4 oz dark chocolate (70% cacao preferred)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
Instructions
For the Churros:
In a saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil.
Remove from heat and stir in flour until the dough forms a ball.
Add vanilla and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
Pipe strips of dough into the oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Drain on paper towels and roll in cinnamon sugar.
For the Chocolate:
Heat milk in a saucepan until warm.
Whisk in cornstarch, sugar, and salt until dissolved.
Add chocolate pieces and stir until melted and thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
Pour into small cups and serve immediately with churros for dipping.
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Making churros con chocolate is a labor of love.
Camino Tip: Where to Find the Best Chocolate con Churros
If you’re walking the Camino Francés, don’t miss:
Café Iruña in Pamplona, elegant, historic, and rich with Hemingway nostalgia.
Churrería Manolo in León, beloved by locals and pilgrims alike.
San Ginés in Madrid, not on the Camino itself, but worth the stop before or after your pilgrimage.
Each café serves them a little differently, some thicker, some sweeter, but all are made with love and tradition.
A Taste of Home and Heart
There’s something sacred about the simple act of dipping a churro into warm chocolate, it slows you down, reminds you to savor the moment, and connects you to a long line of pilgrims who’ve done the same.
Making chocolate con churros at home feels like reliving the Camino for a moment, the laughter, the friendships, the small joys that make the Way so unforgettable.
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Is your mouth watering yet?
Yum! This brings back such fond memories of the Camino.
Conclusion: Sweet Moments That Last
Chocolate con churros isn’t just food, it’s a memory, a ritual, and a piece of Spain you can hold in your hands. Whether you’re walking the Camino or simply dreaming of it from home, this simple combination of crispy dough and rich chocolate reminds us to pause, savor, and give thanks for life’s sweetest moments.
So go ahead, make a batch, pour a cup, and let every bite take you back to those sunlit mornings on the Camino.
Buen Camino,
Renae