Cream Cheese Churro Cookies Recipe
If you love the cozy sweetness of churros but crave the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of a cookie, you’re in for a treat with these Cream Cheese Churro Cookies! Imagine a soft, pillowy cookie that’s tangy from cream cheese, fragrantly spiced with cinnamon, and generously coated in the classic churro’s cinnamon sugar—you get all that in every bite. This irresistible mashup brings together the best of both desserts, making it absolutely perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking straight from the cooling rack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these Cream Cheese Churro Cookies is how such simple ingredients come together so flawlessly. Each element plays a key role in creating their signature soft, flavorful bite and that sweet, sparkly coating everyone loves.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Gives the cookies their rich flavor and helps achieve that soft cookie crumb.
- Cream Cheese (4 ounces, softened): Adds tang and keeps the cookies ultra-moist and tender—don’t skip this!
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup for dough + 1/2 cup for coating): Sweetens the dough and creates a sparkly, crunchy churro-like coating.
- Large Egg (1): Binds the dough and adds a bit of extra richness.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Boosts the cookie’s warm, nostalgic flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The foundation that gives structure without making the cookies dense.
- Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the cookies a gentle lift so they don’t turn out flat.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the cinnamon-y notes.
- Ground Cinnamon (2 teaspoons, for coating): The star spice—imparts that unmistakable churro aroma and flavor.
How to Make Cream Cheese Churro Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F for that perfect bake. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper—you’ll thank yourself later when cleanup is a breeze and every cookie slides right off.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for those lusciously tender Cream Cheese Churro Cookies, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla
Pour in one cup of granulated sugar and mix until the mixture turns light and fluffy. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract, making sure everything is beautifully combined before moving forward.
Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, so the cookies bake up just right.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, blending until a soft dough forms. Don’t over-mix—we’re after a tender cookie, not a tough one!
Step 6: Make Cinnamon Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with the ground cinnamon. This is the magical mixture that’s going to give your cookies that churro look and taste.
Step 7: Shape and Coat the Dough
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball between your palms. Roll each ball generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture until every inch is coated, then space them about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 12–14 minutes, until the edges are just set and the tops show those lovely little cracks. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack—this helps them set up with the perfect soft-middle texture.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Churro Cookies
Garnishes
For a bit of extra flair, try giving the cooled cookies a brush of melted butter and another quick roll in cinnamon sugar. You could also dust them with powdered sugar, or even drizzle with a touch of caramel or dulce de leche for an extra-indulgent twist.
Side Dishes
A glass of cold milk is the classic, crowd-pleasing choice with Cream Cheese Churro Cookies, but they’re also perfect alongside a mug of hot chocolate, coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm spice and cool cream makes every bite pop.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, try stacking the cookies on a cake stand with cinnamon sticks tucked between for that “bakery window” look. Turn them into cookie sandwiches with cream cheese frosting or caramel spread in the middle. Or serve mini versions as part of a dessert platter at your next brunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These cookies stay fresh for several days if kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Just be sure they’re completely cooled before stacking to keep that cinnamon sugar crust crisp.
Freezing
Cream Cheese Churro Cookies freeze beautifully! Place the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls—just roll in cinnamon sugar right before baking.
Reheating
If you love a warm cookie, pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or reheat a few in a low oven for 3–4 minutes. It revives the soft centers and makes them taste freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese in Cream Cheese Churro Cookies?
You can, but the cookies may be a tad less rich and tender. Full-fat cream cheese is ideal for the ultra-soft texture this recipe promises.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! The dough is ready to use right away, making Cream Cheese Churro Cookies a fantastic last-minute dessert option.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. The cookies should still turn out soft and flavorful.
What’s the best way to get a perfect cinnamon sugar coating?
Be generous! Roll the dough balls thoroughly in the cinnamon sugar, and don’t be afraid to press gently to make sure every bit is covered—this is what gives Cream Cheese Churro Cookies their irresistible finish.
Can I add fillings to these cookies?
Absolutely! You can pipe a little dulce de leche or even more cream cheese in between two cookies for a sandwich treat, or try a dab of chocolate in the center before baking for a surprise,
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving that magical mix of tang, sweetness, and cinnamon warmth, these Cream Cheese Churro Cookies truly deliver. Once you bite into their tender middles and sparkly edges, you’ll be hooked. Give them a try—you’ll never look at a plain cookie the same way again!
Print
Cream Cheese Churro Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicious fusion of churros and cookies with these Cream Cheese Churro Cookies. Soft, sweet, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these treats are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Sugar and Egg: Mix in 1 cup of sugar, then add the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually add this to the wet mixture.
- Coat Dough: Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll tablespoon-sized dough portions into balls, then coat in the cinnamon sugar.
- Bake: Place coated dough balls on the baking sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Enhance the churro flavor by dipping cookies in melted butter and re-rolling in cinnamon sugar.
- Experiment with fillings like dulce de leche or cream cheese frosting for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
