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Moist & Fluffy Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

A close-up photo of a single, perfectly frosted churro cupcake dusted heavily with cinnamon sugar.
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Capture the flavor of fairground churros in a simple cupcake. This recipe gives you a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake base topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and a crunchy cinnamon sugar finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cupcake batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mix aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds full with the batter.
  7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Prepare the cinnamon sugar topping: In a small bowl, mix the 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon until fully combined. Set aside.
  9. Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until creamy.
  11. Mix in the vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon until smooth.
  12. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost each one generously with the cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
  13. Dip or sprinkle the top of each frosted cupcake with the cinnamon sugar mixture before serving.

Notes

  • To get that authentic churro texture on top, you can lightly brush the tops of the baked, cooled cupcakes with melted butter before dipping them in the cinnamon sugar.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon directly into the cupcake batter along with the dry ingredients.
  • If you want a slightly tangier frosting, add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice to the cream cheese frosting mixture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/churro-cupcakes-recipe-cinnamon-frosting/