Name: Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies: Sweet & Easy Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating); 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)

Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies are a truly enchanting culinary innovation, perfectly marrying the beloved warmth and spice of a traditional churro with the irresistible convenience of a soft-baked cookie.

Imagine sinking your teeth into a treat that delivers the signature crisp-yet-tender texture and the captivating aroma of freshly fried dough, all without the need for a deep fryer!

The history of churros is rich, tracing back to Spanish shepherds who found them easy to cook over open fires, evolving into the celebrated street food we know today, cherished in Spain and across Latin America for generations. Traditionally enjoyed with rich hot chocolate or a comforting cup of café con leche, churros embody a sense of joy, celebration, and shared experience. While the authentic fried version is undeniably delicious, preparing them at home can often feel like quite a project. That’s precisely why I was inspired to craft this recipe, bringing that cherished churro experience into an accessible, everyday delight. You’ll find yourself falling in love with these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies for their incredible flavor, their perfect balance of textures, and the sheer joy they bring to any occasion, proving that sometimes, two beloved treats are even better together.

Ingredients:

For the Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

For the Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preparing the Dough for Your Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Before we dive into the delightful task of mixing, it’s always a good idea to get your oven ready. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab two large baking sheets. I find that lining them with parchment paper is a game-changer; it prevents sticking and makes cleanup an absolute breeze. If you don’t have parchment paper, a light greasing will work, but parchment paper truly helps achieve that perfect churro cookie texture by promoting even baking and preventing the bottoms from getting too dark. This initial step is crucial for ensuring your oven is at the correct temperature when your perfectly formed cookies are ready to go in.
Creaming Butter and Sugar to Perfection: In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine your softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Now, we’re going to cream these two together. Beat on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and fluffy, and noticeably pale in color. This creaming process isn’t just about mixing; it’s about incorporating air into the butter and sugar, which creates a light, tender crumb in our finished Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies. Don’t rush this step! It’s foundational for the texture of your cookies. You want to see the sugar crystals dissolving and the butter aerating, almost transforming into a cloud-like consistency. Scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure everything is evenly combined.
Incorporating the Egg and Vanilla: Once your butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy, it’s time to add the wet ingredients that provide structure and flavor. Crack in the large egg, and pour in the two teaspoons of vanilla extract. Continue to beat on medium speed until these new additions are fully incorporated into the mixture. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes. The mixture might look a little curdled at first, but keep beating, and it will come together smoothly. The egg acts as a binder, giving our cookies structure, while the vanilla extract is absolutely essential for that warm, inviting flavor profile that pairs so beautifully with cinnamon. Vanilla is key for enhancing the overall sweetness and complexity of these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies.
Whisking Together the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, measure out your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Give these dry ingredients a good whisk together. Whisking serves a couple of important purposes: it breaks up any lumps in the flour, and it evenly distributes the baking powder and salt throughout the mixture. This ensures that every bite of your cookie has the right amount of leavening and seasoning, leading to consistent results. Even distribution of baking powder is vital for a uniform rise and that perfect, slightly chewy texture we’re aiming for.
Gradually Combining Wet and Dry: Now for the delicate part of dough making. With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, a third at a time. Mix only until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, which can lead to tough, dense cookies, and we want our Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies to be wonderfully tender. As soon as you see no more streaks of dry flour, stop the mixer. A soft, pliable dough should form. At this point, I like to give the dough a final scrape down with a spatula to ensure all flour is incorporated without overworking it. Your cookie dough is now ready for its churro transformation!

Crafting the Signature Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Preparing the Essential Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: While your cookie dough rests for a moment (or if you’re doing it in parallel), let’s prepare the glorious cinnamon sugar coating that truly gives these cookies their “churro” identity. In a shallow bowl or a small plate with raised edges, combine the ½ cup of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Use a fork or a small whisk to mix them thoroughly until the cinnamon is perfectly dispersed throughout the sugar, creating a beautiful, aromatic, light brown mixture. This coating is the heart and soul of our Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies, providing that iconic flavor and irresistible crunchy exterior. Make sure there are no clumps of cinnamon; you want a uniform blend for maximum flavor impact on every cookie. This simple yet profound mixture is what sets these cookies apart and delivers that nostalgic churro experience.

Forming and Coating the Delicious Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies

Scooping and Shaping the Cookie Dough: Now for the fun part – forming our delicious Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies! Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) or two spoons, scoop out portions of the cookie dough. I find that a cookie scoop helps maintain consistency in size, which is important for even baking. Once you have a scoop of dough, gently roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball. You’re looking for roughly 1-inch to 1.5-inch diameter balls of dough. Don’t worry if they’re not absolutely perfect spheres, the coating process will help smooth them out, and a little rustic charm is always welcome in homemade treats!
Rolling in the Aromatic Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Immediately after shaping each dough ball, roll it generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture you prepared in Step 6. Make sure to coat every surface of the dough ball thoroughly. Press gently to ensure the cinnamon sugar adheres well. You want a thick, even layer, as this is where all that churro magic happens! This generous coating is what creates that delightful crunchy exterior and the signature spice of our Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies. Don’t be shy with the coating; it’s what gives them their authentic churro charm. Repeat this process for all the dough balls, ensuring each one is beautifully covered. The aroma alone at this stage is absolutely intoxicating!
Arranging on Baking Sheets: As you finish coating each cookie dough ball, place them onto your prepared baking sheets (lined with parchment paper, remember?) spacing them about 2 inches apart. This spacing is important because the cookies will spread slightly as they bake, and we want to ensure they don’t merge into one giant, delicious churro slab (though that wouldn’t be the worst thing, would it?). The even spacing allows for proper air circulation around each cookie, promoting even baking and that perfect texture. You might need two or three baking sheets, depending on the size of your sheets and cookies. Take your time, arranging them neatly, anticipating the golden, fragrant treasures they are about to become.

Baking Your Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies

Baking Until Golden Perfection: Place your baking sheets into your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes. The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven and the size of your cookies, so keep a close eye on them, especially during the last few minutes. You’re looking for the edges of the cookies to be just set and lightly golden brown, while the centers still look slightly soft. It’s crucial not to overbake these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies if you want them to remain soft and chewy on the inside, with that delightful crisp exterior from the cinnamon sugar. When you remove them from the oven, they will continue to set up slightly as they cool, so don’t wait until they look fully firm in the oven. Trust me on this one; a slightly underbaked center yields the best texture!
Cooling for Optimal Texture and Flavor: Once your Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies emerge from the oven, fragrant and beautiful, allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This brief cooling period on the hot sheet allows them to firm up gently without breaking apart when you move them. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures that air circulates all around the cookies, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy and maintaining that lovely crispness from the cinnamon sugar coating. Patience is a virtue here; letting them cool completely will give you the best churro cookie experience, allowing all the flavors to meld and the texture to fully develop. Resist the urge to devour them all warm, though a warm one is certainly a permissible chef’s treat! Once fully cooled, these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies are ready to be enjoyed, offering a delightful blend of warm cinnamon, sweet sugar, and a tender, buttery crumb.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, my friends! We’ve reached the sweet end of our journey, but the real adventure is just beginning for you in your kitchen. I truly hope this recipe inspires you to create something incredibly special. What we’ve crafted here is more than just a cookie; it’s a delightful experience that captures the festive spirit of a classic churro, reimagined into a conveniently portable, irresistible bite.

I genuinely believe this recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies is an absolute must-try for so many reasons. First, the aroma alone as they bake is enough to transport you to a bustling fairground, filling your home with the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon and sugar. Then there’s the texture – that perfect crisp, sugary coating on the outside giving way to a tender, chewy interior. It’s a harmonious blend that simply dances on your palate, offering a familiar comfort with an exciting new twist. They’re surprisingly simple to make, yet they deliver a “wow” factor that will impress everyone who tries them, making them perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply a cozy night in.

Now, let’s talk about taking these already fantastic treats to the next level. While they are utterly divine straight out of the oven, still warm and fragrant, there are so many ways to enjoy them. Imagine biting into one of these warm, spicy delights, only to follow it with a spoonful of creamy vanilla bean ice cream – a match made in dessert heaven! The cool, smooth ice cream perfectly complements the warm, spiced cookie. For an extra indulgent experience, try serving them alongside a rich, decadent dipping sauce. A simple homemade chocolate ganache or a luscious dulce de leche would be absolutely exquisite, adding another layer of sweetness and complexity. You could even whip up a quick cream cheese frosting for a tangy counterpoint that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.

Get Creative with Your Churro Cookies!

Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with variations, either. For those who love a bit of heat, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper in the cinnamon sugar coating can add a subtle, exciting kick, reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate. Or, for a different textural dimension, try gently folding in some finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough before baking; the earthy crunch would be a delightful surprise. You could also experiment with different types of sugar for the coating – maybe a blend of granulated sugar and light brown sugar for a deeper, molasses-like note. For a truly indulgent surprise, before forming your cookies, you could even press a small piece of chocolate or a dollop of dulce de leche into the center of the dough, creating a molten core when baked. These smaller, more intricate changes can truly elevate the experience and allow you to personalize the recipe to your taste. They’re also fantastic as “mini churro bites” if you simply roll smaller balls of dough, making them ideal for a dessert platter.

So, what are you waiting for? I encourage you to set aside some time this week, gather your ingredients, and immerse yourself in the joyful process of baking these incredible cookies. I promise you, the smiles and satisfied sighs you’ll receive from friends and family (or even just yourself!) will be more than worth it. There’s something truly special about sharing homemade treats, and these Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Once you’ve whipped up your batch, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please share your photos, your thoughts, and any creative variations you came up with. Seeing your creations brings me so much joy, and your feedback helps inspire me, and others, to keep exploring the wonderful world of baking. Happy baking, my dear readers, and enjoy every sweet, cinnamon-laced bite!