Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies

These churro cheesecake donut cookies are soft, creamy, and coated in warm cinnamon sugar. They’ve got that buttery cookie base with a smooth cheesecake center, all shaped like a donut for a fun little twist. Every bite tastes like a mix between a churro and cheesecake heaven.

I love how the cinnamon sugar adds that sweet crunch while the creamy filling keeps it rich and soft. The flavor combo is comforting, cozy, and just a little addictive. They smell amazing while baking, like a bakery right at home.

They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and different. Warm, creamy, and full of flavor—these cookies always hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Three Treats in One: Combines the flavors of churros, cheesecake, and donuts in cookie form.
• Soft and Tender: Cream cheese creates an incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Fun to Make: The cinnamon sugar coating and donut shape make baking feel like a party.
• Perfect for Sharing: These eye-catching cookies are ideal for potlucks, parties, and gift boxes.
• Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples you probably already have.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
• Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
• Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes

Servings: This recipe makes about 20-24 cookies, enough to share with family and friends. Planning a party? Double the batch and freeze extras for later.

Difficulty: Easy for beginners. If you can mix dough and roll it in cinnamon sugar, you can make these cookies.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheets (2)
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Small round cookie cutter (about 2 inches)
• Tiny round cutter or piping tip (for donut holes)
• Wire cooling rack
• Shallow bowl (for cinnamon sugar coating)

Ingredients

These cookies use basic baking ingredients enhanced with cream cheese for richness and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar for that classic churro flavor.

The cream cheese makes the dough incredibly tender, while the cinnamon sugar coating gives each cookie a delightful crunch. Here’s everything you’ll need:

For the Cookie Dough:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for soft, tender cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter, softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a tender texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor.
• Cream Cheese: The secret ingredient that makes these cookies extra soft and gives them a subtle cheesecake tang.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• Granulated Sugar: Creates the sweet, crunchy coating.
• Cinnamon: Brings that classic churro flavor.

Variations for Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies

• Add Chocolate Drizzle: Melt chocolate and drizzle over cooled cookies for extra decadence.
• Try Different Spices: Mix in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom with the cinnamon sugar.
• Make Them Stuffed: Press a small cube of cream cheese in the center before baking for a surprise filling.
• Go Mini: Use a smaller cutter to make bite-sized versions perfect for parties.
• Add Dulce de Leche: Sandwich two cookies together with dulce de leche for an extra special treat.

How to Make Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Ingredients

Take the butter, cream cheese, and egg out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Room temperature ingredients mix together more smoothly.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the cream cheese until smooth and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything comes together nicely.

5. Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly add your flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.

6. Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilled dough is much easier to roll out and cut into shapes.

7. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar

While the dough chills, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl. Set aside.

8. Roll and Cut

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your round cutter to cut out circles, then use the smaller cutter to remove the center and create the donut shape.

9. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

Gently press both sides of each cookie into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the coated cookies on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

10. Bake

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and lightly golden. The centers might look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.

11. Cool

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving and Decoration

These cookies look beautiful just as they are with their golden cinnamon sugar coating. For special occasions, try these presentation ideas:

• Stack and Serve: Pile them high on a cake stand for a stunning dessert table display.
• Add a Drizzle: Melt white or dark chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled cookies in a zigzag pattern.
• Dust with Sugar: Give them an extra sparkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• Serve with Coffee: These cookies pair perfectly with hot coffee, Mexican hot chocolate, or a glass of cold milk.
• Gift Box Them: Layer in a decorative tin with parchment paper between layers for a thoughtful homemade gift.

How to Serve Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies

These versatile cookies work for any occasion:

• Breakfast Treat: Enjoy with your morning coffee for a sweet start to the day.
• Afternoon Snack: Perfect with tea or as an after-school treat for kids.
• Dessert Spread: Add to a dessert table alongside brownies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats.
• Party Favor: Package individually in clear bags tied with ribbon for party guests.
• Holiday Gift: Bake a batch for neighbors, teachers, or friends during the holiday season.

Storing Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezer:

• Unbaked Dough: Freeze the dough (before rolling out) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
• Baked Cookies: Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Chill the Dough: Do not skip the chilling step. Cold dough is easier to roll and holds its shape better during baking.
• Flour Your Surface: Dust your work surface and rolling pin lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
• Even Thickness: Roll the dough to an even thickness so all cookies bake at the same rate.
• Watch the Oven: Every oven is different. Start checking at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking.
• Reroll Scraps: Gather dough scraps, gently press them together, chill briefly, and reroll to cut more cookies.
• Soft Butter Matters: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened. Hard butter creates lumpy dough.
• Cool Completely: Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Per Cookie (approximate)
Calories	145
Total Fat	7g
Saturated Fat	4g
Cholesterol	25mg
Sodium	85mg
Total Carbohydrates	19g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars	11g
Protein	2g

Nutritional values are estimates based on standard ingredient measurements and may vary.

Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies FAQs

Can I make these without a donut cutter? Yes. Use any round cookie cutter and skip the center hole. They will still taste amazing, just without the donut shape.

Why is my dough too sticky to roll? The dough needs proper chilling. If it is still sticky after an hour, refrigerate for another 30 minutes. You can also dust your work surface with extra flour.

Can I use salted butter? You can, but reduce the added salt to 1/4 teaspoon to avoid overly salty cookies.

How do I know when the cookies are done? The edges should be set and lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underdone, but they will continue cooking as they cool on the baking sheet.

Can I freeze the dough? Absolutely. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out.

Why do I need cream cheese in cookie dough? Cream cheese adds moisture and creates an incredibly soft, tender texture. It also gives a subtle tangy flavor that balances the sweetness.