If you love the combination of cinnamon sugar, creamy cheesecake, and the lightness of a donut, you’re in for a treat with these Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies. These cookies are like the best parts of churros, donuts, and cheesecake all rolled into one irresistible bite. You’ve got that crispy, cinnamon-sugar-coated exterior, with a soft and slightly tangy cheesecake filling in the center – it’s pure dessert magic. Trust me, you won’t be able to eat just one!
Why You’ll Love Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies
Versatile You can serve these for any occasion – whether it’s a family dessert night, a birthday party, or just because. They’re perfect for everything!
Budget-Friendly The ingredients are simple and easy to find, making this a treat that won’t break the bank.
Quick and Easy These cookies come together surprisingly quickly, and they don’t require any fancy equipment. Just your hands and a few bowls!
Customizable You can even mix things up with different fillings like chocolate, peanut butter, or fruit preserves.
Crowd-Pleasing These cookies are guaranteed to impress! They combine the best of three favorite desserts and are sure to please everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
Ingredients in Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these magical cookies:
Sugar The base for both the cinnamon-sugar coating and the cheesecake filling.
Butter Adds richness to the cookies and helps them bake up soft and delicious.
Cream Cheese The star of the cheesecake filling – it brings that creamy tangy flavor we all crave.
Eggs A couple of eggs to help bind everything together and give these cookies their chewy texture.
Flour All-purpose flour is what holds everything together.
Baking Powder A bit of baking powder for lift and to give the cookies their light, airy texture.
Cinnamon For the iconic churro flavor – we’re not holding back!
Vanilla Extract Adds depth and sweetness to the dough and the filling.
Granulated Sugar Used for both the cinnamon-sugar coating and the cheesecake mixture.
Powdered Sugar For the finishing touches on your filling, giving it that smooth, creamy texture.
Salt A little salt to balance the sweetness.
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create these churro cheesecake magic balls:
Preheat Your Oven Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your baking sheet is lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
Make the Dough In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until the dough comes together.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling In a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Cookies Take a small portion of cookie dough, flatten it out in your hand, and place a dollop of the cheesecake filling in the center. Carefully fold the dough around the filling and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Coat the Cookies In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Roll each cookie ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
Bake the Cookies Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are golden and the cheesecake filling is set.
Let Cool Once the cookies are done baking, let them cool for about 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy! Once cooled, these Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies are ready to enjoy! Bite into one and experience the creamy, cinnamon-sugar goodness that’s about to become your new favorite treat.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Servings 16
Calories per serving 220
(Note These values are approximate.)
Preparation Time
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
How to Serve Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies
These cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ways to enjoy them:
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea for the perfect afternoon snack.
- Serve as a dessert at a family dinner or a special celebration.
- Pack them in a lunchbox for a sweet treat during the day.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to make sure your cookies turn out perfectly:
- Make them smaller For bite-sized cookies, simply reduce the size of each dough ball and bake for a little less time.
- Try different fillings If you want to switch up the cheesecake filling, try using chocolate ganache or fruit preserves for a unique twist!
- Storage These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months – just thaw before enjoying.
FAQ’s
1 Can I use low-fat cream cheese Yes, but for the creamiest texture, full-fat cream cheese works best.
2 Can I use a different type of sugar You can experiment with brown sugar or coconut sugar for a different flavor, but granulated sugar is recommended for the best texture.
3 Can I make these cookies gluten-free Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to replace the all-purpose flour.
4 Can I freeze the dough Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just roll them into balls and freeze before baking, and bake from frozen.
5 Can I use store-bought cheesecake filling Sure! If you’re in a pinch, store-bought cheesecake filling will work fine for this recipe.
6 Can I make these cookies in advance Absolutely! These cookies stay fresh for a few days and freeze well too.
7 How can I make these cookies extra gooey For a gooey center, slightly underbake the cookies and let them cool down for a couple of minutes before biting into them.
8 Can I add chocolate chips Yes, you can add chocolate chips to the dough for an extra indulgent treat!
9 Can I substitute the cinnamon-sugar coating You could try other coatings, like powdered sugar or a mixture of sugar and cocoa powder for a different twist.
10 Can I bake these cookies at a different temperature If you want to bake them at a lower temperature, you can go as low as 325°F (160°C), but the baking time will increase by a few minutes.
Conclusion
These Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies are the perfect combination of cinnamon-sugar goodness and creamy cheesecake filling. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. The crispy exterior and rich, creamy center make them the ultimate dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Give them a try, and you’ll see why they’ll become your new go-to treat!
Print
Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Experience a decadent fusion of flavors in these Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies! A soft, chewy cookie with a tender, cheesecake-infused center is coated in a crisp cinnamon-sugar crunch reminiscent of a classic churro. Perfect as an indulgent treat or a show-stopping dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
- Shape into Donut Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and gently flatten into rounds. Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, create a shallow well (donut shape) in the center of each cookie.
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Fill the Cookies: Once cooled, spoon or pipe a small dollop of the cheesecake filling into the center of each cookie, letting it slightly overflow into the well.
- Coat with Cinnamon-Sugar: In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Lightly press the top and edges of each cookie into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring a generous coating.
- Serve: Enjoy these cookies at room temperature or chill them for an extra refreshing treat
Notes
For best texture and flavor, fill and coat the cookies after they have completely cooled.
If you prefer a thicker cheesecake center, feel free to double the filling ingredients and adjust the dollop size.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for a firmer bite.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~200 kcal
- Sugar: ~15 g
- Sodium: ~150 mg
- Fat: ~10 g
- Saturated Fat: ~5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~5 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~25 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Cholesterol: ~40 mg