Name: Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for frosting), softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for frosting); 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk; 12 mini churros; 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (for coating churros)

I’ve always had a soft spot for churros—golden, crisp, and coated in cinnamon sugar. So when I had the idea to combine that nostalgic fairground treat with the comfort of a fluffy cupcake, I knew I was on to something special. These Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting capture the essence of churros in every bite, from the soft vanilla cake to the cinnamon-kissed frosting and crunchy churro topper.

I love serving these cupcakes at parties or during the holidays because they always get attention. People’s eyes light up when they spot the mini churros on top—and after just one bite, they’re hooked. The texture contrast is a dream: tender cake, silky frosting, and a crisp churro finish. If you’re a fan of cinnamon sugar or looking to impress with something playful and bold, you’re going to fall for these just like I did.

Why You’ll Love These Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

They combine two classic desserts into one: cupcakes and churros. The cinnamon cream cheese frosting isn’t overly sweet, so it balances the sugary churro topping perfectly. Plus, they’re absolutely stunning to look at—and even more delicious to eat. Whether you’re celebrating something or just indulging a craving, these cupcakes bring fun and flavor in every swirl and crunch.

What Kind of Churros Should I Use on Top?

Mini churros are the perfect topper for these cupcakes. You can make them fresh using traditional churro dough (which is basically a simple choux pastry), or take a shortcut with frozen or pre-made mini churros from the grocery store. If you go the frozen route, just bake or fry them until golden and toss them immediately in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. The key is that they’re crispy, fresh, and small enough to nestle into the frosting without overwhelming the cupcake.

Options for Substitutions

These cupcakes are easy to adapt if you need to make a few swaps. Here’s how you can tweak the recipe without losing that churro magic:

Frosting: Not a fan of cream cheese? Swap it with buttercream and add a touch of cinnamon to keep the flavor profile.

Cupcake Base: A boxed vanilla or yellow cake mix works if you’re short on time. Just doctor it with a bit of cinnamon to keep the theme going.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the cupcake batter. You can also find gluten-free churros in some stores.
Egg-Free: Replace eggs with applesauce or a commercial egg replacer to make the cupcake base vegan-friendly.

Churros Alternative: Can’t find churros? Try topping with cinnamon-sugar pie crust strips or crunchy cinnamon cereal for a similar effect.

Ingredients for These Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

All-Purpose Flour
This is the base of the cupcake, giving it structure while keeping the crumb soft and tender.
Granulated Sugar
Essential for sweetness and helps create a moist, light texture.

Unsalted Butter
Adds richness and flavor to the cupcake batter, and keeps the texture smooth and soft.
Eggs
Provide structure and moisture—key to achieving a fluffy and well-risen cupcake.
Vanilla Extract
A background note that enhances the overall warmth of the cupcake and pairs perfectly with cinnamon.

Milk
Keeps the batter smooth and ensures the cupcakes stay moist without being dense.
Baking Powder
Gives the cupcakes their rise and soft, airy texture.
Salt
Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor of the batter.

Ground Cinnamon
Infuses the cupcake with that signature churro flavor and spices up the frosting beautifully.
Cream Cheese
The base of the frosting—adds tanginess and creaminess that contrasts with the sugary churros.
Powdered Sugar
Sweetens the frosting and helps it hold its shape when piped.

Heavy Cream (or Milk)
Helps achieve a smooth, pipeable frosting consistency.
Mini Churros
The show-stopping garnish that adds crunch, cinnamon sugar, and irresistible churro flair.
Cinnamon Sugar (for churro coating)
A simple mix of cinnamon and sugar used to coat the churros for the classic finish.

Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting2

Step 1: Make the Cupcake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 3: Bake the Cupcakes

Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until fluffy. Mix in vanilla, ground cinnamon, and a splash of heavy cream or milk until your desired consistency is reached. The frosting should be smooth, thick, and pipeable.

Step 5: Pipe Frosting and Add Churros

Once cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe the frosting on top using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Top each frosted cupcake with 1–2 mini churros that have been tossed in cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately or store until ready to enjoy.

How Long to Cook the Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

The cupcakes themselves need about 18 to 20 minutes in a 350°F (175°C) oven. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Be sure to cool them completely before frosting—warm cupcakes will melt the frosting.

If you’re frying or baking mini churros from scratch or frozen, they typically take 2 to 3 minutes in hot oil (around 350°F) or 8 to 10 minutes in the oven. Always follow the instructions on the churro package if using store-bought.

Tips for Perfect Churro Cupcakes

Use room temperature ingredients: This helps your batter come together smoothly and evenly.
Don’t overmix: Once you combine the dry and wet ingredients, mix only until just combined to keep the cupcakes fluffy.

Let cupcakes cool completely: Otherwise, the frosting will slide right off or melt.
Pipe frosting high: Use a piping bag with a large star tip to get that classic swirl and give the churros something to nestle into.
Roll churros in sugar while warm: The cinnamon sugar will stick better and create that iconic churro crunch.

Assemble close to serving time: Churros can soften if they sit on the frosting for too long, so top them just before you serve for best texture.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Skipping the cooling time: Frosting a warm cupcake leads to a mess. Be patient and let them cool completely before decorating.
Overbaking the cupcakes: Even a few extra minutes in the oven can dry them out. Start checking around the 17-minute mark.

Using cold cream cheese or butter: Cold ingredients make the frosting lumpy. Always soften both before mixing.
Forgetting to coat the churros immediately: Cinnamon sugar won’t stick well to churros that have cooled down.
Adding too much cinnamon to the batter: It can overpower the vanilla base. Stick to the recommended amount.

Overloading with frosting: It’s tempting, but too much can overwhelm the cupcake (and the churro topping).
Not using a piping bag: Spreading the frosting with a knife doesn’t give that high swirl needed to hold a churro.

What to Serve With Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting?

Hot Chocolate

A rich and creamy mug of hot chocolate pairs perfectly with the cinnamon-sugar notes of the cupcakes.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

The cool, mellow sweetness of vanilla ice cream balances the spiced cupcake and creamy frosting.

Mexican Coffee (Café de Olla)

Flavored with cinnamon and piloncillo, this spiced coffee mirrors the warm flavors in the cupcake beautifully.

Fresh Berries

Serve a small bowl of strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries on the side for a pop of freshness and color.

Spiced Apple Cider

Warm cider complements the cinnamon elements and adds a cozy seasonal touch.

Cinnamon-Dusted Popcorn

A playful and light snack that keeps the cinnamon theme going without being too heavy.

Whipped Cream Shots

Tiny glasses of whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon make a fun and light dessert pairing.

Caramel Dipping Sauce

Set a small dish of warm caramel on the side for guests to dip the churro topper into—decadent and fun!

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover churro cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Because of the cream cheese frosting, they shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for long periods.

If you’re making them ahead, it’s best to store the frosted cupcakes without the churro garnish. Add the churros just before serving so they stay crisp and fresh.

You can also freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Wrap each in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost and top as desired.

Estimated Nutrition (Per Cupcake with Frosting and Churro Garnish)

Calories: ~360
Total Fat: 18g

Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 65mg
Sodium: 190mg

Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 29g

Protein: 4g

Please note: These values are approximate and can vary depending on exact ingredients and portion sizes used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the cupcakes a day ahead?

Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance. Store them covered at room temperature (if unfrosted) or in the fridge (if frosted). Add the churro toppers just before serving.

Do I have to make the churros from scratch?

Not at all. Frozen or store-bought mini churros work perfectly. Just heat them, toss them in cinnamon sugar, and top the cupcakes.

Can I use a different frosting?

Absolutely. A cinnamon buttercream works well, or even a whipped cream-based frosting if you want something lighter. Just make sure it holds shape for piping.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

Use a piping bag with a large star tip (like Wilton 1M) to create a classic swirl. Start from the outside and work your way in, finishing with a tall center to hold the churro.

How do I keep churros from going soggy?

Only add them to the cupcakes right before serving. If made in advance, store churros separately and reheat them briefly to bring back some crispiness.

Can these be made gluten-free?

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the cupcakes and source gluten-free churros (or skip them and use a cinnamon-sugar alternative like cereal or pie crust crisps).

How long does the frosting last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, the cinnamon cream cheese frosting lasts for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature and re-whip before using.

What if I don’t have piping tools?

No problem—spread the frosting with a spoon or knife and place a churro upright in the center for a rustic, charming look.

Conclusion

These Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting are a celebration of flavor and texture. They’re fun to make, irresistible to eat, and guaranteed to stand out at any gathering. From the soft cinnamon-kissed cake to the rich frosting and crunchy churro topper, every bite delivers warmth, sweetness, and a little surprise. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, holiday, or just a weekend treat, this recipe brings joy—and just the right amount of sugar and spice.