Description
Delight in these Churro Cupcakes, a delicious twist on classic churros baked into moist cupcakes topped with a creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting and garnished with mini churros. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and sugar, these cupcakes bring the beloved flavors of a churro into a handheld dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) melted butter, cooled
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling
Frosting
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Cinnamon sugar, for topping
- Mini churros, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two muffin tins with 15 cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt until well mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
- Fill and Sprinkle: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Then sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar for that classic churro flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cupcakes cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Spices: Gradually add the powdered sugar and ground cinnamon to the cream cheese mixture, beating until the frosting is lump-free.
- Adjust Consistency: Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Beat until well combined and smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream one tablespoon at a time to reach desired piping consistency.
- Decorate Cupcakes: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe the frosting onto each cooled cupcake evenly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle additional cinnamon sugar over the frosting and top each cupcake with a mini churro for garnish and extra crunch.
Notes
- Ensure the melted butter is cooled before mixing to avoid cooking the eggs in the batter.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and butter for the best frosting texture and flavor.
- Mini churros can be homemade or store-bought; fresh warm churros add the best taste.
- For best results, pipe the frosting while cupcakes are completely cool to prevent melting.
- You can adjust the cinnamon sugar amount on top according to sweetness preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: churro cupcakes, cinnamon cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, churro dessert, easy cupcakes, cinnamon sugar cupcakes
