If you’ve ever stood at your kitchen counter torn between making churros or cheesecake, I’ve got the answer: churro cheesecake donuts. These handheld treats combine cinnamon sugar bliss with creamy filling and a warm donut bite. In this article, we’ll walk through the story, ingredients, and process that make this mash-up so irresistible. Plus, we’ll settle some sweet questions—like whether to eat them warm or cold—and whether Krispy Kreme has anything that comes close. Let’s dive in and make dessert something worth remembering.
Table of Contents
My First Try at Churro Cheesecake Donuts
Why This Combo is Irresistible
The first time I heard “churro cheesecake donuts,” I did a double-take. It sounded indulgent, maybe even over-the-top. But then I remembered the cinnamon sugar crust from my favorite churro cheesecake bars and how it crackles when you bite into it. Add in a silky cheesecake center and donut dough that puffs up perfectly in the oven or air fryer? That’s not over-the-top—it’s genius.
This combo works because it pulls from two beloved classics: the crispy cinnamon-sugar shell of churros, and the rich, tangy creaminess of cheesecake. When those flavors come together inside a pillowy donut, something magical happens. This dish strikes the perfect balance between comforting nostalgia and fresh discovery.
Homemade Over Store-Bought Any Day
I didn’t grow up with fancy equipment or store-bought shortcuts. Like with my first attempt at tres leches cake (yes, the one where I forgot to poke holes), most of my desserts came from craving something comforting. That craving hit hard after seeing a Mexican fried cheesecake post on Instagram—and I knew I had to try combining that with churros.
Making them at home also means you control the sweetness and the filling amount. Want more cheesecake? Add it. Prefer extra cinnamon? Go for it. That’s the joy of homemade treats—they’re built around your tastes and traditions.
If you love the idea of crispy dough hugging creamy centers, you might also fall in love with xango dessert, which inspired how I sealed these Churro Cheesecake Donuts shut with a fork and a little prayer.
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Churro Cheesecake Donuts
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These churro cheesecake donuts combine creamy cheesecake filling with a crunchy cinnamon sugar shell. An easy Mexican-inspired dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 package refrigerated biscuit or crescent dough
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar coating)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F or air fryer to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Flatten dough rounds and add 1 tbsp of filling in the center.
4. Top with another dough round and seal edges using a fork.
5. Bake or air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden.
6. Brush with melted butter immediately after baking.
7. Roll warm donuts in cinnamon sugar coating.
Notes
Chill filled donuts for 10–15 minutes before baking to prevent filling leakage.
Serve warm for gooey cheesecake or chill for a firmer bite.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
What Goes Into Churro Cheesecake Donuts
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
You don’t need anything fancy to make churro cheesecake donuts—just a few everyday ingredients that pack serious flavor. Most versions start with a rich cheesecake filling made from cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar. For the donut exterior, you can use crescent roll dough, biscuit dough, or even puff pastry depending on how flaky or soft you want them.
What makes them “churro” style? Cinnamon sugar, of course. After baking or frying, you roll the warm donuts in a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture that sticks beautifully. It’s the same comforting flavor found in traditional churros or even sopapilla cheesecake pie, but now in donut form.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese | Rich, smooth cheesecake center |
| Vanilla extract | Flavor depth in the filling |
| Refrigerated dough | Forms the donut shape |
| Butter | Helps cinnamon sugar stick |
| Cinnamon & sugar | Classic churro coating |
Why These Work So Well Together
Every layer in this dessert has a role to play. The tangy cheesecake filling contrasts the sweet outer layer, while the donut dough adds a soft base that holds everything together. It’s that combination of creamy, crunchy, and chewy that makes churro cheesecake donuts such a satisfying treat.
The structure reminds me of the texture in Mexican cheesecake, which uses buttery crusts and soft centers for the same kind of comfort-in-a-bite effect. If you’re craving something even richer, a quick glance at this gansito cheesecake recipe might give you new ideas on how to layer flavors.
In short, these ingredients weren’t chosen just for convenience—they’re the perfect building blocks for a dessert that tastes like a warm hug.
How to Make Churro Cheesecake Donuts at Home
Step-by-Step Process
Making churro cheesecake donuts isn’t complicated—it’s all about layering each step with care. First, mix your cheesecake filling by beating softened cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar until smooth. Want to level it up? Add a spoonful of strawberry jam or dulce de leche for an extra flavor punch that complements the richness of churro cheesecake donuts perfectly.
Next, take biscuit or crescent dough and gently flatten each piece. Spoon the cheesecake filling into the center, then top with another dough round. Press the edges tightly with a fork, similar to how you’d seal an empanada, to keep the creamy filling securely inside. That seal is key for keeping your churro cheesecake donuts from leaking during baking or frying.
Bake them at 375°F on a parchment-lined tray for 12–15 minutes, or air fry at 350°F for about 7–9 minutes until golden and puffed. Either method works well, depending on how crisp you want your churro cheesecake donuts.
As soon as they’re out, brush the warm donuts with melted butter, then roll them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still hot. That buttery, cinnamon-sugar finish is what gives these churro cheesecake donuts their signature churro crunch—just like in sopapilla cheesecake ice cream and other crispy Mexican-style desserts.
Tools & Tips for Success
You don’t need fancy gadgets, but a few tools make the job smoother. A piping bag or even a zip-top bag with the corner snipped makes it easy to fill the dough without a mess. A silicone baking mat helps prevent sticking, and a slotted spoon works well for air-fried batches.
Chilling the filled donuts for 15 minutes before cooking gives the cheesecake time to firm up, reducing leaks during baking. This tip came in handy when adapting ideas from a frozen dessert like ice cream cake cheesecake—cooling the filling keeps the structure solid.
Once cooked, allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. That short wait time helps the filling thicken slightly, giving you that perfect creamy bite when you dig in.
Churro Donuts vs Cheesecake Donuts vs Krispy Kreme
Churro vs Donut Texture & Taste
Let’s clear something up: churros and donuts may share the fryer, but they bring very different textures to the table. Golden and crisp on the outside with a tender, fluffy center, churros are rolled in a sweet cinnamon-sugar blend for the perfect finishing touch. Donuts, on the other hand, are usually fluffier, often yeast-based, and glazed or filled.
Churro cheesecake donuts? They sit right in the middle. They borrow the crisp cinnamon coating from churros and the soft, pillowy bite from donuts—plus that creamy cheesecake center that sets them apart. It’s the ultimate mash-up that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
If you love cinnamon and creamy fillings but want to branch out, you’d probably also enjoy sopapilla cheesecake ice cream. That dessert layers cinnamon and cheesecake flavors in a cool and creamy format, giving you similar satisfaction without the need to fry anything.
Does Krispy Kreme Offer Anything Similar?
So, can you just head to Krispy Kreme and grab something close? Not exactly. While they’ve released seasonal donuts like strawberry cheesecake and dulce de leche-filled options, there’s nothing quite like a churro cheesecake donut on their menu.
That’s why making them at home matters. Not only do you get full control over the flavor and sweetness, but you also avoid the wait for a limited-time flavor drop. Plus, homemade versions feel more personal—especially when you make a batch for a celebration or family treat.
In fact, when I was working on a variation using leftovers from gansito cheesecake, it hit me that big-brand donuts can’t compete with what your own kitchen delivers: flavor tailored to your memories, cravings, and joy.
Conclusion
Churro cheesecake donuts bring together everything I love about homemade Mexican-inspired desserts—warmth, texture, sweetness, and nostalgia. They’re easy enough for a weeknight and fun enough for a party. Whether you bake, fry, or air-fry them, you’ll end up with something that feels both indulgent and familiar.
Recipes like these remind me why I started sharing easy Mexican desserts in the first place. They’re meant to bring comfort without complication. And if you ever wanted proof that joy can come wrapped in cinnamon sugar and cream cheese, this is it.
If this recipe lit a spark in you the way my first churro cheesecake bars did in me, I hope you make it—and maybe even make a mess in the process. That’s how memories start.
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FAQs
What is churro cheesecake made of?
Churro cheesecake is made using cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and buttery dough or pastry. Most versions include a cinnamon sugar topping to mimic traditional churros. Some add a graham cracker base or crescent dough crust for a crispy finish.
What’s the difference between churros and doughnuts?
Churros are stick-shaped fried dough coated in cinnamon sugar, usually crisp outside and airy inside. Doughnuts are typically soft, round, and made from yeast or cake batter—often glazed or filled. Churro cheesecake donuts take elements from both, combining crisp cinnamon coating with creamy filling and a fluffy texture.
Does Krispy Kreme have a cheesecake donut?
Krispy Kreme occasionally offers cheesecake-inspired donuts during seasonal promotions, but they do not have a churro cheesecake donut. That makes homemade versions even more special—you can enjoy them year-round and customize them to your taste.
Do you eat churro cheesecake warm or cold?
You can enjoy churro cheesecake donuts either fresh and warm or nicely chilled. Served warm, they offer a tender, doughy texture with a luscious, melty center—perfect right after baking. Chilled offers a firmer cheesecake texture with crisp edges. Both are delicious depending on your mood.