Waffle Iron Churros

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

1. For the batter, combine the water, butter, salt, sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over high heat. Once the butter is fully melted and the sugar and salt have dissolved, reduce the heat to medium, add the flour, and stir briskly. The dough will come together fast as the flour takes up the liquid. Cook it over medium heat, stirring the whole time, for 1 minute. Take the pan off the heat and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes. Add the eggs to the dough one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. The finished batter will be thick and firm, a little like buttercream frosting.
2. While the batter rests, make the topping and chocolate sauce. Stir the sugar and cinnamon together on a plate so it is ready for dipping. In a saucepan set over low heat, warm the cream, chocolate, and corn syrup, stirring often, until the chocolate starts to melt. Turn off the heat and leave the chocolate mixture in the pan.
3. Heat the waffle iron, using medium if your model has heat settings. Spray both the top and bottom plates with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter onto each section of the waffle iron. Resist the urge to fill it generously, because the batter will puff and spread quite a bit. Start smaller until you see how your waffle iron handles it. Shut the lid and cook until the churros are golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Move the churros to a plate, then cook the rest of the batter the same way.
5. Brush the churros with melted butter, then press them into the cinnamon sugar. Serve them warm with the chocolate sauce for dipping.