Get ready to fall in love with Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies—your new go-to treat for when you want something truly special! These cookies combine the nostalgic delight of crispy churros with the irresistible softness and chewiness of the perfect cookie. Each bite bursts with sweet cinnamon sugar, golden edges, and a pillowy crumb that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re looking for a dessert that impresses at gatherings or a cozy weekend indulgence, this recipe brings the magic of churros into your kitchen with ease.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies absolutely unforgettable is the harmony of simple, staple ingredients. Each one plays a unique part—creating that iconic churro flavor, a wonderfully soft texture, and those gorgeous sparkles of cinnamon sugar on top.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Makes your cookies ultra-tender and gives a rich, creamy flavor base.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the classic crisp edges.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Adds chewiness, a hint of caramel, and extra moisture.
- Large eggs: Bind the dough and contribute to the cookie’s structure and softness.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and rounds out the sweet cinnamon notes beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies their body and that perfect chewy texture.
- Cream of tartar: Essential for a little tang and those signature churro-style cracks.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies puff up just right for maximum softness.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the cinnamon flavor pop.
- Ground cinnamon: This is the real star—delivering that churro aroma and spicy sweetness.
- For the cinnamon sugar coating: Combo of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon adds that quintessential churro finish with every bite.
How to Make Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies won’t stick and will have those perfectly golden bottoms we all crave. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to bake as soon as your dough is.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Don’t rush this step—the goal is to get your mixture light, fluffy, and airy for cookies that stay soft on the inside. Scrape down the bowl to fully incorporate everything.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg mixes in completely before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract, letting your kitchen fill with its sweet aroma.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mixing them first ensures the leavening and cinnamon flavor spread evenly throughout every cookie.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring gently and only until just combined. Over-mixing can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears—this helps keep them extra soft and chewy.
Step 6: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, stir together granulated sugar and cinnamon. This magical mix is what transforms these from regular cookies into Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies by adding that classic churro crunch and flavor on the outside.
Step 7: Form and Coat the Dough Balls
Roll the dough into 1.5-inch balls—about the size of a heaping tablespoon each. Gently roll each ball through the cinnamon sugar coating, ensuring every surface is covered for an irresistibly sweet crust.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and just turning golden, but the centers still look slightly underbaked. Don’t worry—they’ll finish setting as they cool, ensuring that signature soft and chewy churro cookie texture.
Step 9: Cool and Sprinkle
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. If you want even more churro flavor, sprinkle the tops with extra cinnamon sugar while they’re warm. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the crackly tops and fragrant scent!
How to Serve Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies love a finishing touch! Try extra cinnamon sugar sprinkled just after baking, a drizzle of melted chocolate for a churro-meets-confection vibe, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for that bakery-style flair.
Side Dishes
Pair your Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a mug of hot cocoa, or even a creamy Mexican coffee. Their warmth and spice play beautifully with simple, comforting sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile them high on a cake stand for a party, wrap individual cookies in parchment for sweet gifts, or sandwich dulce de leche or chocolate ganache between two for a churro-inspired cookie sandwich that will wow everyone.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cookies irresistibly soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll maintain their fresh-baked taste and texture for up to five days—if you don’t eat them all before then!
Freezing
Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling, layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls—just roll them in cinnamon sugar before freezing and bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
For that warm-from-the-oven experience, pop cookies in a 300°F oven for three to four minutes or zap in the microwave for 10 seconds. They’ll taste just as dreamy as the day you made them!
FAQs
Can I make these cookies without cream of tartar?
While cream of tartar is important for that classic churro tang and chew, you can substitute with an extra 1 teaspoon baking powder in a pinch. The flavor will be a bit different, but still delicious!
How do I keep my cookies soft and chewy for days?
Store the cookies in an airtight container, and if you like, add a slice of bread inside—this old trick keeps them moist by absorbing any excess air. The Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies will stay cloud-soft for almost a week.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the regular flour. Your Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies should turn out just as chewy and wonderful as with wheat flour.
Why do my cookies sometimes spread too much?
If your cookies are spreading more than you’d like, make sure your butter isn’t too warm and chill your dough for 15-30 minutes before baking. This helps the Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies hold their shape and texture perfectly.
Can I double the recipe for a big crowd?
Definitely! This recipe doubles easily—just use a big enough bowl and give yourself a little extra space to work the dough. Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies are made for sharing (and disappearing fast) at parties!
Final Thoughts
Baking these Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies is like bringing a little festival magic into your home, and sharing them feels downright joyful. Whether you’re treating yourself after a long day or baking up a batch for friends, this recipe is all about comfort and celebration. Give it a try and savor every sweet, cinnamon-kissed bite!
Print
Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of a churro in cookie form with these Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Churro Cookies. These cookies are a perfect blend of soft and chewy textures, coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture for a delicious treat.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Make cinnamon sugar coating: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the coating.
- Form dough and coat: Roll the dough into balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake: Place on baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra churro flavor, sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top after baking.
- These cookies freeze well and stay soft when stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
