Cinnamon Churros

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/3 cup butter
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Vegetable oil for deep-fat frying
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 recipe Mexican Chocolate Dipping Sauce (optional)

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to boiling over medium heat Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beating well with a wooden spoon.
2. Transfer mixture to a decorating bag fitted with a large star tip. Line a baking sheet waxed paper. Pipe 4x1-inch logs onto prepared baking sheet.
3. Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep saucepan to 375 degrees F. Fry a few logs at a time in deep hot oil about 2 minutes or until golden brown on both sides, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a 300 degree F oven while cooking remaining churros.
4. In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Roll warm churros in cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat. Serve warm. Makes about 20 churros.

Mexican Chocolate Dipping Sauce
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon ground pasilla or ancho chile pepper (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 5 ounce can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk

Method:

1. In a heavy small saucepan combine semisweet chocolate pieces, butter, ground pasilla or ancho chile pepper (if desired), and cinnamon; cook and stir over medium heat until chocolate is melted. 
2. Stir in the granulated sugar; gradually add evaporated milk, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. 
3. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. 
4. Boil gently over low heat for 8 minutes, stirring frequently. 
5. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. 
6. Serve warm sauce with warm churros.

Pastillas De Leche

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups fresh or
evaporated milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon butter
5 tablespoons full-cream
powdered milk
sugar for rolling

Method:

1. Combine milk and sugar in a saucepan; bring to a boil and stir constantly until it turns into a paste. Add butter and powdered milk. Mix thoroughly.
2. Take the pan off the heat and transfer mixture to a separate bowl. Set aside until pastillas are cool enough to touch but still warm. Divide pastillas into 20 pieces and roll into small cylinders.
3. Roll lightly in sugar. Wrap in paper by placing in the center of a square, rolling it into a cylinder, and tucking the ends into the roll. 

Makes about 20 pastillas

Apple Pie Danish

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
3-4 apples
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Crust
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg-separated
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon cold water
extra sugar for sprinkling

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons cream or milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. Melt butter in a small frying pan. Add in brown sugar and cinnamon. Core and peel apples, chop into 1/2 inch pieces. Place apples in frying pan. Stir to coat apples with butter mixture. Simmer over medium heat until mixture starts to bubble, continue to cook for about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Combine flour, salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender. Combine egg yolk with milk and stir into flour until all your dry mix is incorporated.
3. Roll dough out onto a well floured surface. Cut dough into 6 rough squares. Transfer squares to a lightly greased baking tray (or line with parchment paper.) Divide apples with just a bit of the juice between the 6 dough squares. You want to run your apples diagonally across from one corner to the opposite corner.
4. Fold over opposite sides to the middle, and using a dab of water, press those top corners together to secure. Make an egg wash, combining egg white with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush tops of danish with the egg wash. Sprinkle top with sugar if desired.
5. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until crust is a golden brown.
6. Combine glaze ingredients, stirring until smooth and a drizzle consistency. Drizzle over warm danishes and enjoy!