Key Lime Pineapple Churro Cake

When you think of churros, you probably also think of chocolate, but if you've only eaten churros the traditional way, then you're really missing out. This delicious Spanish pastry is as easy to make as it is delicious, which makes it perfect for experimenting with. With that in mind, we decided to bring some tropical flavors into the mix! This key lime pineapple churro cake stacks fresh homemade churros up between layers of rich key lime cream and cinnamon pineapple chunks. A dessert unlike anything you've ever tried before, this churro cake is the creative new treat you've been waiting for!

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Moderate

Ingredients:

For the choux pastry dough:

  • 2 cups water
  • ½ stick butter
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 eggs
  • cinnamon sugar to coat

For the cinnamon pineapple chunks:

  • 1 pineapple
  • 3 cinnamon sticks

For the key lime cream:

  • 12 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3 cups whipped cream
  • zest from 2 key limes

To garnish:

  • key lime zest
  • chocolate sauce

Instructions:

1. For the choux pastry dough, bring the water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously until a smooth dough forms. Remove the saucepan from the heat, let the mixture cool, and then stir in the eggs. Transfer the choux pastry dough to a piping bag, pipe 4 large spirals on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and freeze for 1 hour.

2. Fry the churro spirals in hot cooking oil until golden brown, coat them in cinnamon sugar while still warm, and then let cool.

3. For the cinnamon pineapple chunks, cut off the top of the pineapple and use a glass to remove the inner core. Place the cinnamon sticks inside the pineapple, transfer the pineapple to a preheated oven, and cook at 325°F for 40 minutes. Let the pineapple cool for 30 minutes and then use the cinnamon sticks to scoop out cooked cinnamon pineapple chunks.

4. For the key lime cream, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth and then fold in the whipped cream and key lime zest.

5. Place the first churro spiral inside a tall 10-inch springform cake pan and top with a layer of key lime cream and a layer of cinnamon pineapple chunks. Place the second churro spiral on top and continue layering in this order until you you reach the last churro spiral. Top the final churro spiral with a final layer of key lime cream and cinnamon pineapple chunks and garnish the churro cake with key lime zest and chocolate sauce before serving.

Sure, churros with chocolate dipping sauce will always have a place in our hearts, but this key lime pineapple churro cake goes miles beyond that classic combo. Creamy, rich, fruity, tropical, and downright delicious, this recipe is the key to satisfying your sweet tooth!

Get the recipe for the Churro Sandwiches featured in the bonus video.

Comments

Also hefty