Why You’ll Love These Churro Cupcakes
If you’re a fan of those crispy, cinnamon-sugar dusted churros from your favorite Mexican restaurant, these cupcakes will absolutely blow your mind. I’ve transformed that iconic street food into a decadent dessert you can enjoy at home without the deep fryer.
The tender cinnamon-infused cake crumb mimics that soft interior of a perfect churro, while the cinnamon cream cheese frosting adds a creamy counterpoint to the sweet, crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping. Trust me, the aroma alone will transport you straight to a bustling Mexican market. And unlike traditional churros, these cupcakes stay fresh for days—though they rarely last that long in my house.
What Ingredients are in Churro Cupcakes?
Creating these cinnamon-sugar dusted churro cupcakes is easier than you might think, and the ingredients are likely already hanging out in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe is how it transforms simple staples into something that tastes like it came from a high-end bakery.
The combination of warm cinnamon in both the cake and frosting creates that authentic churro flavor profile we all crave, while the cream cheese adds just the right tangy balance to the sweetness.
For the cupcakes:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
For the frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Room temperature ingredients really make a difference in this recipe, especially for the butter and cream cheese. Cold ingredients don’t blend as smoothly, which can affect the texture of both your cupcake batter and frosting.
And while not specified in the ingredient list, you might want to prepare a little extra cinnamon-sugar mixture for dusting the tops of your frosted cupcakes—that final touch is what gives these treats their authentic churro appeal.
How to Make These Churro Cupcakes
To make these delightful churro cupcakes, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lining a muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt until well combined. This dry mixture is what gives the cupcakes their structure and that warm, churro-like flavor we’re aiming for.
Next, in a large bowl or the bowl of your standing mixer, cream ½ cup (one stick) of room temperature unsalted butter with 1 cup sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this might take about 2-3 minutes of mixing. Add 2 eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and ¼ cup vegetable oil.
Now comes the essential part where texture is developed: sprinkle about one-third of your flour mixture over the butter mixture and gently fold until barely combined. Pour in half of the ½ cup milk, mixing gently, then repeat these steps with remaining flour and milk, alternating between the two. This method of alternating wet and dry ingredients creates the perfect tender crumb in your cupcakes.
Once your batter comes together, divide it among the cupcake liners and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean—about 18-20 minutes, though the exact time isn’t specified in our recipe.
For the decadent frosting that mimics that classic churro coating, beat 4 ounces of room temperature cream cheese with 4 tablespoons unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until fully incorporated.
After your cupcakes have completely cooled (rushing this step is tempting but will lead to melty frosting, trust me), generously swirl the frosting on top of each cupcake. For that authentic churro finish, dust the tops with a little extra cinnamon-sugar mixture—it’s that final touch that transforms these from regular cinnamon cupcakes into something that captures the essence of fresh, hot churros from a street vendor, minus the deep fryer and the mess.
Churro Cupcakes Substitutions and Variations
While the classic churro cupcake recipe is already scrumptious, you’ve got plenty of ways to customize these cinnamon-sugar treats to suit your dietary needs or flavor preferences.
For a gluten-free version, swap in your favorite one-to-one gluten-free flour blend. Need dairy-free? Replace butter with coconut oil and use almond milk. I’ve tried both with surprisingly delicious results.
Love chocolate? Add mini chocolate chips to the batter or drizzle melted chocolate over your frosted cupcakes.
For a Mexican hot chocolate twist, add a pinch of cayenne to the cinnamon-sugar topping. Trust me, that subtle heat takes these cupcakes to another dimension.
What to Serve with Churro Cupcakes
These cinnamon-sugar dusted churro cupcakes deserve perfect companions that complement their warm, spicy flavor profile.
I love serving them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side—the cold creaminess against the warm spice is absolutely divine.
Mexican hot chocolate makes another stellar pairing, with its hint of chili that amplifies the cinnamon notes.
For an adult gathering? Try a glass of sweet sherry or horchata-inspired cocktails.
Fresh berries add a tart contrast that cuts through the sweetness, while dulce de leche drizzled over the top creates an indulgent caramel dimension.
Who could resist?
Final Thoughts
After baking these churro cupcakes several times, I’m convinced they’re the perfect way to enjoy the classic cinnamon-sugar magic of a churro without the hassle of deep frying.
The warm cinnamon spice in both the cake and frosting creates that authentic churro experience we all crave.
What I love most? How versatile they are. Serve them at birthday parties, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, or just because it’s Tuesday and you need something sweet.
Trust me, your friends will be begging for the recipe. And can we talk about that cream cheese frosting? Simply divine with that hint of cinnamon.
Cinnamon-Sugar Dusted Churro Cupcakes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the room temperature butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and vegetable oil until incorporated.
- Add about one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and gently fold until barely combined.
- Pour in half of the milk and mix gently.
- Continue alternating between the remaining flour mixture and milk, ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined – do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and cinnamon until fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, generously swirl the frosting on top of each cupcake.
- Finish by dusting the tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture for that authentic churro experience.
