Did You Know 73% of Dessert Lovers Crave Churros and Cheesecake—But Never Thought to Combine Them?
If your heart skips a beat at the mention of crispy, cinnamon-sugar churros and creamy, dreamy cheesecake, then brace yourself—because these Churro Cheesecake Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Imagine the warmth of a freshly fried churro hugging a luscious pocket of cheesecake filling, all in the form of a soft, buttery cookie. It’s the kind of dessert magic that makes you wonder: Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
I’ll never forget the first time I tested this recipe. My kitchen smelled like a carnival—sweet, spiced, and utterly irresistible. The moment I pulled the tray from the oven, my family descended like seagulls on a beach picnic. And honestly? I don’t blame them. These cookies are the lovechild of two iconic treats, blending the best of both worlds into one bite. The crackly cinnamon-sugar crust gives way to a tender, cream cheese-swirled center that’s pure bliss.
But here’s the real secret: these Churro Cheesecake Cookies are deceptively simple to make. No deep fryer, no water bath—just a handful of pantry staples and a little patience while they bake into golden perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie with a sweet tooth, this recipe is your ticket to dessert stardom. So, grab your mixing bowl and let’s turn those cravings into reality.
Churro Cheesecake Cookies
A delightful fusion of churros and cheesecake in cookie form, with a cinnamon-sugar coating.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and 1 tsp vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture until combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla until smooth.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, flatten slightly, and place a small dollop of cream cheese mixture in the center. Fold dough over and seal.
- Mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden. Cool before serving.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste.
Churro Cheesecake Cookies: A Sweet Love Story
There’s something magical about the way cinnamon sugar dances in the air when you’re making churros—but what if we tucked that warmth into a cookie, with a creamy cheesecake surprise waiting inside? These Churro Cheesecake Cookies are my latest obsession, and trust me, one bite will have you swooning. They’re crisp on the edges, tender in the middle, and filled with a dreamy swirl of cheesecake filling. Let’s bake up some joy, shall we?
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – The foundation of our cookie dough. Room temperature butter creams beautifully for that perfect texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – For sweetness that caramelizes just enough as the cookies bake.
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar – A hint of molasses depth to balance the flavors.
- 2 large eggs – Always crack them into a separate bowl first—no one wants a surprise shell!
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract – The soul of so many desserts. Splurge on the good stuff if you can.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it to avoid dense cookies.
- 1 tsp baking powder – Our little lift for cookies that are fluffy, not flat.
- 1/2 tsp salt – Just enough to make the flavors pop.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened – The star of our cheesecake filling. Full-fat for maximum silkiness!
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar – Sweetens the filling without graininess.
- 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon) – The churro magic! Mix this in a shallow bowl for rolling.
Step-by-Step: Let’s Make the Dough
1. Cream the butter and sugars – In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes with a hand mixer—don’t rush it! The air whipped in here gives the cookies their lift.
2. Add eggs and vanilla – Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then drizzle in the vanilla extract. Pro tip: If your eggs are cold, let them sit in warm water for 5 minutes first to prevent the butter from seizing.
3. Whisk dry ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. I like to sift mine to avoid lumps, but a good whisking works too.
4. Combine wet and dry – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until no flour streaks remain. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky—that’s perfect! Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. (This prevents spreading and makes the dough easier to handle.)
5. Make the cheesecake filling – While the dough chills, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Scoop this into a piping bag or zip-top bag (snip the corner later) and set aside. If the filling feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Conclusion
These Churro Cheesecake Cookies are the perfect marriage of two beloved desserts—cheesecake and churros—in one irresistible bite. With their crispy cinnamon-sugar coating, creamy cheesecake filling, and soft cookie base, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re serving them at a party, gifting them to a friend, or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these cookies deliver on flavor and texture every time.
Ready to give them a try? Whip up a batch and let us know how they turn out in the comments below! And if you loved this recipe, don’t forget to check out our other decadent dessert ideas like Cinnamon Roll Cookies or Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars for more sweet inspiration.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months—just thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
While you can use low-fat cream cheese, the texture and richness of the filling may be slightly different. For the best results, we recommend full-fat cream cheese.
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No problem! You can use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off or even a small spoon to dollop the cheesecake filling onto the cookie dough.
Can I skip the cinnamon-sugar coating?
The cinnamon-sugar coating gives these cookies their signature churro flavor, but if you prefer a simpler cookie, you can omit it. Just note that the final result will be less crunchy and spiced.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps prevent excessive spreading. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft when mixing the dough—it should be cool to the touch.