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Churro Cupcakes are fluffy and light cinnamon sugar cupcakes that are easy to make and even easier to fall in love with! They are made with common baking ingredients that you may even have in your pantry right now.
If you love cinnamon sugar desserts some great ones to try are: Cinnamon Roll Cookies or Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Churro Cupcakes:
So, my husband always complains about cupcakes. He prefers cakes instead. He says cupcakes are too dry and overcooked and the ratio of frosting to cake is off. I took that as a personal challenge to find a cupcake that is moist and fluffy like a cake with the perfect crumb to frosting balance. I knew as I was preparing this recipe that this would be the one to change his mind. And man was I right!
The thick, chewy, sweet and fried, covered in cinnamon churros we love at theme parks inspired the flavors of this cupcake. And let me tell you, those much loved, favorite flavors do not disappoint! When you take your first bite, you will be hit with the warm, nutty cinnamon flavor paired with the sweetness of the sugar and the creaminess of the frosting. Creaming the egg and sugar first and making sure I did not over-mix once I added in my flour kept the cake moist and soft. My husband was so impressed and loved these cupcakes! The leftovers even went great with my cup of coffee this morning!
Cupcake Ingredients:
Cake:
- Flour: All purpose flour or cake flour will work great! Cake flour will create a light and airy cupcake. All purpose will create a denser cupcake.
- Cinnamon: A woody taste with both sweet and savory notes.
- Baking powder: Leavening agent so be sure you mix it in well to avoid lumps or bitter taste.
- Salt: The salt will bring out all the other flavors.
- 1/21 stick cup butter: Room temperature
- Sugar: White sugar will add the perfect sweetness!
- Eggs: The eggs keep the cupcake together and add moistness.
- Vanilla: Use a high quality vanilla to ensure the
- Vegetable oil: The oil will make the cake moist and give a pleasant mouthfeel.
- Milk: The sugar in the milk adds to sweetness, and the protein in the milk builds a strong batter that is moist.
Frosting:
- Cream cheese: Room temperature cream cheese will combine much easier and give you a light fluffy frosting.
- Butter: Room temperature. Mix together thoroughly with cream cheese before you start adding in powdered sugar.
- Powdered sugar: The finer consistency of this sugar keeps the frosting so smooth and also so sweet!
- Vanilla: The vanilla will bring out the other flavors in the frosting, like the woody cinnamon and tangy cream cheese.
- Cinnamon: The cinnamon gives this cupcake that classic churro flavor.
How to Make Churro Cupcakes:
- Preheat and Prep: Set the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners; set aside.
- In a medium bowl: Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl: Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, until just combined then stir in the vanilla and oil. Sprinkle 1/3 of the flour mixture over the butter mixture and gently stir in until barely combined. Add half of the milk, mixing until just combined. Repeat these steps with the remaining flour mixture and milk, ending with the flour. Do not over mix.
- Fill each cupcake tin: with 2 tablespoons of batter, or until the cupcake tin is filled half way. Bake the cupcakes for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with one or two crumbs clinging to it. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: Cream the butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl. Add the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well between each addition. Stir in the cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Then stir in the vanilla. Beat the mixture well, until light and fluffy. Pipe onto cupcakes and sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Homemade Cupcake:
Tips for the Best Homemade Cupcake:- Don’t skimp on the creaming process! Take 2-3 minutes to cream the eggs and sugar before adding other ingredients.
- Measure the flour by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off with the edge of a knife. Don’t scoop it!
- Once you add the flour mixture, mix the batter just until it’s combined. Do not overmix.
- Fill cupcake tins 2/3 full. Do not overfill.
- Add cinnamon to the cupcake batter for an extra boost of flavor
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for the frosting. Cold ingredients won’t mix properly, and warm ingredients won’t have the right consistency.
- For the best looking frosting results, use a piping bag and tip. In a pinch, you can use a heavy ziploc bag with the corner snipped.
Variations of the Churro Cupcake:
- Make chocolate cupcakes for a chocolate churro experience.
- Fill your cupcake: Scoop out the center of the cupcake and stuff it with more frosting or any fruit filling – apple would be out of this world amazing!
- Decorate your cupcakes with cinnamon sticks
- Skip the frosting altogether and top with melted butter and plenty of cinnamon & sugar
- Substitute buttercream frosting. Just add 1-2 tsp. of cinnamon to your favorite recipe and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
More Churro Inspired Recipes to try:
More Churro Inspired Recipes to try:Pin this now to find it later
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Churro Cupcakes
Equipment
- 3 Mixing bowls
- 1 Cupcake Tin
- 12 Cupcake Liners
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt and set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, mix the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, until just combined then mix in the vanilla and oil.
- Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and gently stir in, using a spatula, until they are barely combined. Add half of the milk, stirring until it is just combined.
- Repeat these steps with the remaining flour mixture and milk, ending with the flour. Do not over mix.
- Fill each cupcake tin with 2 tablespoons of batter, or until the cupcake tin is filled halfway.
- Bake the cupcakes for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with one or two crumbs clinging to it. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- using a hand mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until they are smooth. Add the sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well between each addition.
- Stir in the cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Then stir in the vanilla.
- Beat the mixture well, until light and fluffy. Pipe onto the cupcakes and sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Thank-You for all the wonderful recipes and the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
New follower! I am definitely going to be trying these cupcakes!
I really love your blog alyssa. It’s inspired me to cook!!
I love your blog. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh my, those sound so tasty!
I found your blog not too long ago. I’m loving the recipes!
these cupcakes look awesome!
I love all your recipes! The pictures are great!
Cinnamon is my most favorite spice and not used too often. Thanks!
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Woo! I love your blog! 😀 Can’t wait to do dinner sometime!!
thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you so much for letting me guest post! You are the best!
These look fantastic! I love churros. Thanks for the giveaway Alyssa! Hopefully I’ll win and can get an Express GC so I can come see you!! 😉
woman you know I love your blog. Im happy its going so well for you!!