Churro Cheesecake Cookies
Churro cheesecake cookies combine the best of two beloved desserts—crispy cinnamon sugar churros and creamy cheesecake—into one delicious bite. These cookies are rich, buttery, and perfectly spiced, making them a must-try for dessert lovers. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, this recipe is simple yet impressive.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from ingredients and step-by-step instructions to expert tips and variations. Let’s get baking!
Table of Contents
What Are Churro Cheesecake Cookies?
Churro cheesecake cookies are a delicious fusion of two beloved desserts—churros and cheesecake—all in a soft, chewy cookie form. These cookies have a buttery dough flavored with cinnamon, a sweet and creamy cheesecake filling, and are finished with a classic cinnamon sugar coating.
Imagine biting into a chewy, cinnamon-coated cookie, only to discover a smooth, tangy cheesecake center—pure dessert perfection!
The Perfect Fusion of Flavors
Churro cheesecake cookies combine three key elements:
Cookies – A soft, buttery dough forms the base and holds everything together.
Cheesecake Filling – A rich, creamy center made with sweetened cream cheese.
Churro Coating – A warm cinnamon sugar layer gives these cookies their signature churro taste.
Together, these elements create a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Best of Both Worlds – Get the crispy, cinnamon taste of churros with the richness of cheesecake.
Easy to Make – No deep-frying needed! This recipe is simple and beginner-friendly.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for holidays, parties, or just a sweet treat.
Customizable – You can add chocolate drizzle, caramel, or even Nutella for extra indulgence.
How Do These Compare to Traditional Churros?
| Feature | Traditional Churros | Churro Cheesecake Cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Crispy & airy | Soft & chewy with a creamy center |
| Cooking Method | Deep-fried | Baked in the oven |
| Filling | Usually hollow | Stuffed with cheesecake |
| Coating | Cinnamon sugar | Cinnamon sugar |
| Serving Style | Dipped in chocolate or caramel | Eaten as a cookie |
With churro cheesecake cookies, you skip the frying but keep all the flavor. Plus, the cheesecake center takes them to the next level!
Ingredients for Churro Cheesecake Cookies
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
- Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or spoon into small dollops.
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
- Roll cookie dough into balls and flatten them.
- Place a small amount of cheesecake filling in the center.
- Cover with more dough and seal the edges.
Step 4: Bake and Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- While warm, roll cookies in cinnamon sugar for the signature churro flavor.
Expert Tips for Perfect Churro Cheesecake Cookies
When making churro cheesecake cookies, a few small adjustments can make a big difference in the final result. Here’s how to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time.
1. Prevent Cheesecake Filling from Leaking
One common issue with stuffed cookies is the cheesecake filling leaking out during baking. Here’s how to avoid that:
Keep the cheesecake filling cold before stuffing the cookies. If the filling is too soft, it will melt too quickly and seep out.
Make sure the cookie dough fully encloses the filling. After placing the filling in the center, seal the edges tightly to prevent gaps.
Chill the assembled cookie dough balls for 10-15 minutes before baking. This helps keep their shape.
2. Get the Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Coating
The cinnamon sugar coating is what makes these cookies taste like real churros. Here’s how to get the best coating:
Coat the cookies while they are still warm, so the sugar sticks better.
Use fine granulated sugar instead of coarse sugar for a smoother texture.
Roll the cookies twice for an extra thick cinnamon sugar coating.
3. Storage and Freezing Tips
Want to make these cookies ahead of time? No problem!
At room temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
In the refrigerator: Store for up to a week if you prefer them slightly chilled.
In the freezer: Freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just let them thaw for 10 minutes and bake as usual.
Variations and Add-Ons
While the classic churro cheesecake cookie is amazing on its own, you can get creative and try different variations. Here are some fun twists to the recipe:
Chocolate Drizzle
Love chocolate? Drizzle melted dark chocolate or white chocolate over the cookies after they are baked for an extra indulgent touch.
Caramel Stuffed Churro Cookies
Swap the cheesecake filling with a soft caramel center. Use soft caramel candies or homemade dulce de leche for a gooey surprise.
Gluten-Free Churro Cheesecake Cookies
Want a gluten-free version? Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. The cookies will be just as delicious!
Mini Churro Cheesecake Bites
Instead of making full-sized cookies, shape mini cookie dough balls and bake them for bite-sized churro cheesecake treats—perfect for parties!
How to Make Churro Cookies Without Cheesecake
If you love churros but don’t want the cheesecake filling, you can easily make classic churro cookies by skipping the filling step. Here’s how:
1. Prepare the Churro Cookie Dough
Follow the same steps to make the cookie dough without the cheesecake filling.
2. Shape and Bake the Cookies
Instead of stuffing the dough, simply roll them into balls, flatten slightly, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
3. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, roll them in a generous amount of cinnamon sugar for the authentic churro taste.
These churro cookies taste just like the classic pastry, but in cookie form! Perfect if you prefer a simpler version.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per Cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180-220 kcal |
| Carbs | 28g |
| Sugar | 16g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 8g |
FAQs About Churro Cheesecake Cookies
In this section, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about churro cheesecake cookies. These questions help readers understand the recipe better and troubleshoot any issues they may have.
1. How to make churro cookies?
To make classic churro cookies, follow these steps:
Prepare a sugar cookie dough flavored with cinnamon.
Shape the dough into small balls and bake until golden brown.
While still warm, roll the cookies in a cinnamon sugar coating for the signature churro flavor.
These cookies give you all the delicious taste of churros without the hassle of deep-frying
2. How to make churro cheesecake cookies?
Churro cheesecake cookies are made by:
Creating a cinnamon sugar cookie dough.
Filling each cookie with a sweetened cream cheese mixture before baking.
Rolling the baked cookies in cinnamon sugar for that classic churro taste.
This version adds a creamy cheesecake center, making them extra indulgent!
3. How many calories are in a churro Crumbl cookie?
A churro cookie from Crumbl Cookies typically contains between 300-400 calories, depending on the size and ingredients used. Our homemade version is slightly lower in calories since we control the ingredients.
4. Can you use a cookie press to make churros?
No, a cookie press won’t work for making traditional churros. Churros require a piping bag with a star tip to create the classic ridges. However, you can use a cookie press if you’re making soft churro-flavored cookies instead of fried churros.
Conclusion
Churro cheesecake cookies are the perfect combination of two incredible desserts—crispy churros and creamy cheesecake. With a soft, cinnamon-sugar cookie exterior and a rich cheesecake filling, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try fun variations like chocolate drizzle or caramel filling, you’ll love how easy and delicious these cookies are to make.
Try this recipe today and treat yourself to a sweet, cinnamon-filled delight!