Cinnamon Dream: How to Make the Perfect Churro Cupcakes

If you’re a fan of churros, you’re going to love these churro cupcakes! Imagine all the cinnamony goodness of a churro combined with the soft, fluffy texture of a cupcake, topped with a cinnamon crunch and a creamy, tangy frosting. These cupcakes bring together the best of both worlds—perfect for any celebration or just a sweet indulgence on a cozy afternoon.

Why You’ll Love Churro Cupcakes

1. Churro Vibes in Cupcake Form: The warm cinnamon flavor mixed with the light, moist cupcake makes these a total hit. It’s like eating a churro but without the deep-frying.
2. That Crunchy Topping: The sugar-cinnamon crunch topping takes these cupcakes over the top, adding a crispy texture that gives the perfect churro vibe.
3. Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting: Creamy, sweet, with just a hint of tang from the cream cheese—this frosting pairs perfectly with the cinnamon-spiced cupcake base.

Ingredients for Churro Cupcakes

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s go over what you’ll need:

For the Cake:

• 3 cups flour – Provides the base for your cupcakes, giving them structure.
• 1 tablespoon baking powder – To help the cupcakes rise.
• ½ teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavors.
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon – This is the star of the show, giving the cupcakes their signature churro flavor.
• 1 cup butter (softened) – Adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes.
• 1 ¾ cups sugar – Sweetens the cupcakes to perfection.
• 4 eggs – Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – A must for that classic baked good flavor.
• 1 ¼ cups milk – Helps make the batter smooth and fluffy.

For the Crunch Topping:

• 4 tablespoons butter (melted) – Used to coat the cupcakes before adding the cinnamon sugar topping.
• ¼ cup sugar – For the crunchy sweetness on top.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon – Because more cinnamon is never a bad thing!

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing:

• ½ cup butter (softened) – For the creamy base of the frosting.
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened) – Adds tang and creaminess to balance the sweetness.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor of the icing.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon – To complement the churro theme.
• 5 cups powdered sugar (10x) – To sweeten and thicken the frosting.
• 1 tablespoon milk – To thin the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.

How to Make Churro Cupcakes

Let’s walk through the process of creating these delicious churro cupcakes step by step. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the sweet smell of cinnamon and sugar!

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups milk

For the Crunch Topping:

• 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing:

• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients for the Cake

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. The key here is to make sure the butter is softened and whipped well to get that fluffy texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5: Alternate Flour Mixture and Milk

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix!

Step 6: Fill the Cupcake Liners

Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ of the way full. This ensures that your cupcakes rise perfectly without overflowing.

Step 7: Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

Making the Crunch Topping

Step 8: Melt Butter

While the cupcakes are cooling, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.

Step 9: Mix Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to make your cinnamon sugar topping.

Step 10: Brush and Dip

Once the cupcakes have cooled, brush the tops of each cupcake with the melted butter, then dip the tops into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating them well. This gives your cupcakes that signature churro crunch!

Making the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

Step 11: Beat Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Make sure both are softened for the best texture.

Step 12: Add Vanilla and Cinnamon

Mix in the vanilla extract and cinnamon until well combined.

Step 13: Add Powdered Sugar

Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. The frosting will be thick but should become fluffy as you continue to beat it.

Step 14: Adjust Consistency

If the frosting is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk to reach your desired consistency. You want the frosting to be thick enough to hold its shape but smooth enough to pipe or spread easily.

Frosting the Cupcakes

Once your cupcakes are completely cool, it’s time to frost them. You can either spread the icing on with a knife for a rustic look, or if you’re feeling fancy, use a piping bag to create pretty swirls on top.

Tips for the Best Churro Cupcakes

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for the best results. This ensures a smooth batter and creamy frosting.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make your cupcakes dense.
3. Cool Completely: Let the cupcakes cool fully before adding the frosting, or the frosting will melt right off.
4. Add Extra Crunch: For an extra churro-like experience, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top of the frosting.

Serving Suggestions

These churro cupcakes are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to casual gatherings. Serve them with a cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate sweet treat, or pair them with hot chocolate for a truly indulgent dessert.

Storing Your Cupcakes

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare because these cupcakes are so delicious), here’s how to store them:

• At Room Temperature: Store the frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• In the Fridge: For longer storage, keep the cupcakes in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
• Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. Simply wrap each one in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them at room temperature, then frost before serving.

Why Make Churro Cupcakes at Home?

1. Fresh Ingredients: You’re using real butter, sugar, and spices, so the flavor is unbeatable.
2. Customize to Your Liking: You can control the sweetness, adjust the cinnamon level, or even add extra toppings like chocolate drizzle.
3. Fun to Make: This recipe is easy and fun to whip up with kids or friends. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of cinnamon sugar wafting through the kitchen?

FAQs About Churro Cupcakes

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. Just frost them on the day you’re serving for the freshest result.

Can I use a different frosting?

Absolutely. While the cinnamon cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the churro cupcakes, you could also try a classic buttercream, whipped cream frosting, or even a dulce de leche drizzle.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. They should still turn out fluffy and delicious.

Conclusion

Churro cupcakes are the perfect combination of a cinnamon-spiced churro and a soft, fluffy cupcake. With their crunchy cinnamon sugar topping and creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering. Best of all, they’re easy to make and even easier to devour!

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Churro Cupcakes

Indulge in the deliciousness of churro cupcakes! This easy recipe combines the cinnamon-sugar crunch of churros with the soft, fluffy texture of cupcakes, topped with a creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword best cupcake recipe, Churro cupcakes, churro dessert, churro inspired cupcakes, cinnamon cupcakes, cinnamon sugar topping, cream cheese frosting, homemade churro cupcakes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 36

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

• 3 cups flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups milk

For the Crunch Topping

• 4 Tbsp butter melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp milk

Instructions

Cupcakes

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. The key here is to make sure the butter is softened and whipped well to get that fluffy texture.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture until everything is combined. Don’t overmix!
• Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ of the way full. This ensures that your cupcakes rise perfectly without overflowing.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

Crunch Topping

• While the cupcakes are cooling, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.
• In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to make your cinnamon sugar topping.
• Once the cupcakes have cooled, brush the tops of each cupcake with the melted butter, then dip the tops into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating them well.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

• In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Make sure both are softened for the best texture.
• Mix in the vanilla extract and cinnamon until well combined.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. The frosting will be thick but should become fluffy as you continue to beat it.
• If the frosting is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk to reach your desired consistency. You want the frosting to be thick enough to hold its shape but smooth enough to pipe or spread easily.