Churro cupcakes are an indulgent and delightful dessert that combine the beloved flavors of cinnamon and sugar in a fluffy cupcake. They’re incredibly simple to make, perfect for family gatherings, and sure to impress everyone at your table!
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Why Make Churro Cupcakes?
If you love churros, wait until you try these churro cupcakes! They deliver all the warm, comforting flavors of traditional churros in a soft, moist cupcake form. The combination of sweet cinnamon filling and rich cream cheese frosting makes them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Plus, they are kid-approved and perfect for meal prep!
Key Ingredients for Churro Cupcakes
Essential Baking Ingredients
To create these delightful churro cupcakes, you’ll need some fundamental ingredients. Gather ¼ cup of vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature, and ¾ cup of granulated sugar. You’ll also need 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 ½ cups of sifted cake flour. The leavening agents include 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Lastly, for the batter’s moisture, you will require ¼ cup of sour cream and ¼ cup of hot milk.
Ingredients for the Filling
The delicious filling makes churro cupcakes stand out. You’ll need 6 tablespoons of brown sugar mixed with 5 teaspoons of cinnamon to create that signature churro flavor. This sweet blend adds a delightful surprise in the center of each cupcake!
Ingredients for the Frosting
No churro cupcake is complete without a luscious frosting. For this, gather 8 oz of cream cheese, 2 sticks (8 oz) of butter, and 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar. A teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the flavor, making the frosting irresistible.
How to Make Churro Cupcakes
Preparing the Cupcake Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a stand mixer or large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Creating the Cinnamon-Brown Sugar Filling
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. This aromatic mixture will create a delightful surprise within each cupcake, reminiscent of classic churros.
Baking the Cupcakes
Line a cupcake pan with liners. Spoon a tablespoon of batter into each liner, followed by 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture. Cover this with more batter to seal in the filling. For added flavor, you can sprinkle a little extra brown sugar and cinnamon on top before baking. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 16 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cupcakes bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, whip together the cream cheese and butter for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Then, add the vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar, whipping on high speed for an additional 30 seconds until everything is well combined.
Frosting and Decorating the Cupcakes
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost them with the cream cheese mixture. For a decorative touch, consider mixing some frosting with cinnamon and piping it alongside the cream cheese frosting for a beautiful presentation.
Tips for Perfect Churro Cupcakes
To ensure your churro cupcakes turn out perfectly, avoid overbaking them to maintain moisture. Minimize mixing after adding flour to prevent gluten development, which keeps them tender. Using hot milk in the batter is essential for achieving that soft texture everyone loves!
FAQs
What ingredients do I need for churro cupcakes?
You will need vegetable oil, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sour cream, hot milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and additional butter for frosting.
How do I make churro cupcakes step by step?
Begin by creaming together the butter, oil, and sugar. Mix in the egg and vanilla, then combine with dry ingredients. Fill the liners with batter and cinnamon-sugar mixture, bake, and finally frost with cream cheese frosting.
Can I make churro cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cupcakes in advance. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
How should I store leftover churro cupcakes?
Store leftover churro cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain their freshness.
Related Recipes to try
Conclusion
Churro cupcakes are a delightful blend of flavors and textures that are sure to bring joy to your kitchen. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends. For more inspiration, check out delicious dessert ideas on Pinterest to keep your sweet tooth satisfied!
Delicious Churro Cupcakes: An Irresistible Treat
Equipment
- stand mixer
- cupcake pan
- Mixing bowls
- whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups cake flour sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup sour cream room temperature
- ¼ cup hot milk
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar for filling
- 5 teaspoons cinnamon for filling
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature for frosting
- 2 sticks butter room temperature for frosting
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar for frosting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
Instructions
- Cream together the unsalted butter, oil, and sugar in a stand mixer or large bowl.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, scraping the bowl’s sides.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then add to the wet ingredients.
- Mix on low speed until just combined, then add the sour cream and hot milk, scraping the bowl to ensure thorough mixing.
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling in a small bowl.
- Line a cupcake pan with liners, spoon a tablespoon of batter into each, add 2 teaspoons of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, then top with more batter.
- Optionally, sprinkle more brown sugar-cinnamon on top before baking.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 16 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- For the frosting, whip together the butter and cream cheese for 2-3 minutes, then add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar.
- Optionally, mix a portion of the frosting with cinnamon and pipe it alongside the cream cheese frosting.
- Once the cupcakes are cool, frost them generously.