Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies Recipe 🍩🍰

These Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies combine the best of churros, cheesecake, and cookies for a deliciously sweet treat! The dough is soft and buttery, filled with a creamy cheesecake center, and coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture for a churro-inspired twist. Drizzle with caramel sauce for the perfect finishing touch. Here’s how to make these irresistible cookies:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
• 1 cup granulated sugar 🍬
• 2 large eggs 🥚
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🍦
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 🍞
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 🍞
• ½ teaspoon salt 🧂

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened 🧀
• ¼ cup granulated sugar 🍬
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🍦

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1 cup granulated sugar 🍬
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 🌿

For the Caramel Sauce (optional):

• 1 cup caramel sauce 🍯

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. You should have a soft dough.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

1. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
2. Set the cheesecake filling aside.

Step 3: Form the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Flatten each dough ball slightly with your hands or the back of a spoon.
3. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small indent in the center of each cookie.
4. Spoon a small amount of the cheesecake filling into the center of each cookie, then gently pinch the dough around the edges to seal the cheesecake filling inside. Roll the dough back into a ball if needed.

Step 4: Coat the Cookies

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating.
2. Roll each cookie in the cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure they are evenly coated.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

1. Place the coated cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
3. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Drizzle with Caramel Sauce (Optional)

1. If desired, drizzle the cooled cookies with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

These Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They’re perfect for dessert, snacks, or a special treat for any occasion!

Tips:

• For a thicker filling: You can refrigerate the cheesecake filling for a bit before using it to make it firmer and easier to handle.
• Add-ins: Feel free to add a handful of chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the dough for extra texture and flavor.

Enjoy these churro-inspired cheesecake cookies that are full of creamy cheesecake goodness and cinnamon-sugar crunch!