Vegan Spanish Beach Churros

You will need: small saucepan on a low heat | 3 disposable piping bags or 1 clean reusable piping bag | 1½cm star-shaped nozzle | Large deep saucepan | Cooking thermometer, optional | Baking tray lined with parchment paper | Medium saucepan | Line a large plate with a double layer of kitchen paper

1. First, make the chocolate sauce: break up the chocolate and put it into the small saucepan with the plant-based milk, sugar and vanilla. Stir to a smooth sauce and transfer to a serving bowl and set aside.
2. Sprinkle 115g sugar and the cinnamon over a large plate and set aside.
3. If you are using disposable piping bags, pile them up and roll them together to make one thick cone (a single bag is likely to split). Cut a small hole at the tip, insert the piping nozzle and push it all the way down to the bottom so that it sticks out of the hole. Spray or brush the inside of the bag with a little oil. If you are using a reusable bag, insert the nozzle and coat lightly with oil.
4. Pour the 1½ litres of oil into the large saucepan so that it comes a third of the way up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil to about 180°C, or until a wooden spoon dipped into the oil sizzles around the edges.
5. Meanwhile, put the water, the remaining 100g sugar, the two tablespoons vegetable oil, salt and vanilla extract into the medium saucepan and place on a high heat. Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat, add the flour and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until it forms a thick, sticky dough (you’ll need to use a little elbow grease). Spoon the mixture into the piping bag.
6. Pipe 6 churros on to the lined baking tray, each one about 10–15cm long. Carefully transfer the churros to the hot oil (if you’re feeling brave you can pipe them straight into the oil). Fry for 8–10 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Use a wooden spoon to move them around if they stick together.
7. Remove the churros with a slotted spoon and lay on the kitchen paper for 1 minute to drain. While they’re still hot, transfer to the cinnamon sugar and roll until completely covered. Repeat with the remaining dough – you may need 3 or 4 batches. Serve with chocolate sauce on the side for people to pour over if they wish.