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Churro Cupcakes

If you love the warm, crispy, cinnamon-sugar magic of traditional churros, these cupcakes will quickly become your new favorite treat. They feature a tender, cinnamon-infused cake paired with a decadent cream cheese frosting, finished with a dusting of cinnamon-sugar for that authentic churro touch. Perfect for celebrations or any day you need a sweet escape, these cupcakes transform simple pantry ingredients into a gourmet dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cupcakes
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, 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
For Dusting
  • cinnamon-sugar mixture a light dusting on top of the frosted cupcakes

Equipment

  • Muffin pan
  • Cupcake liners
  • Mixing bowls
  • Mixer or standing mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl (or using a standing mixer), cream the room temperature unsalted butter with the sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract and vegetable oil.
  5. Alternately fold in the dry ingredients and milk—start with about one-third of the flour mixture, then add half of the milk, and repeat until just combined. This helps develop a tender crumb.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, then mix in the vanilla extract and cinnamon until fully incorporated.
  8. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, generously frost them and dust the tops with the cinnamon-sugar mixture for that authentic churro finish.
  9. Serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of Mexican hot chocolate to elevate the experience.

Notes

Be sure to use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth butter and cream cheese mixture and a tender cake crumb. You can easily customize these cupcakes with add-ins such as mini chocolate chips or substitute ingredients to make them gluten-free or dairy-free. They keep well in an airtight container for up to two days, though they tend to disappear quickly. This recipe is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you want a delicious, festive dessert.