Corn Muffin Churros - cooking recipe

Ingredients

vegetable oil, for frying (about 6 cups)
1 (8 1/2 ounce) box corn muffin mix
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
2/3 cup buttermilk
chocolate syrup or dulce de leche, warmed, for dipping

Preparation

Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep skillet to 340\u00b0. Combine the corn muffin mix, flour, sugar, baking powder, and just 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Add eggs, zest, and buttermilk. Whisk until combined.
Put half the batter in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip (#844) and pipe 4-inch long churros into the oil, fitting no more than four at a time in the pan. Fry until nice and golden about 30 seconds. Turn once during frying period. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Repeat process until you have used up the batter and have about 24 churros made.
Combine the other 1 teaspoon cinnamon with sugar to taste and sprinkle over the churros. Serve warm with either the chocolate sauce or caramel sauce.