Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

These Mini Churro Cupcakes are everything you didn’t know you were craving—vanilla cinnamon cupcakes swirled with rich cinnamon cream cheese frosting, finished with a golden churro on top. One bite and you’ll be hooked.

Not sure if you’ve ever dreamed of turning the warm, cinnamon-sugar magic of a churro into cupcake form—but once you try these, you’ll wonder why you didn’t sooner. These are soft, moist cinnamon cupcakes swirled with the flavors of vanilla and rich frosting., topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, a dusting of cinnamon sugar, and the grand finale: a bite-sized churro on top.

These are great fro Cinco de Mayo, birthday parties, or anytime I want to serve a dessert that’s fun, festive, and guaranteed to make people smile. I mean…who doesn’t love a churro?!

Churros are easy to make and here is the perfect recipe just for you to try!

Why You’ll Love These Mini Churro Cupcakes

• Churro vibes in cupcake form – All the cinnamon-sugar goodness of churros baked into a cupcake—frying optional, but encouraged if you’re making your own!
• Frosting that tastes like a cinnamon dream – The cinnamon cream cheese frosting is rich, smooth, and just sweet enough.
• Festive and fun to decorate – Topping each one with a mini churro adds flair and flavor.
• Perfect for special occasions – These are show-stoppers for birthdays, baby showers, or Cinco de Mayo.
• Make-ahead friendly – Bake the cupcakes ahead of time and frost later.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Greek Yogurt + Milk – The combo makes for ultra-moist cupcakes with a tender crumb. Room temperature is key for smooth mixing.

All-Purpose Flour – The base for your cupcake batter. You can swap in cake flour if you want a lighter texture.

Ground Cinnamon – Brings that signature churro flavor. Used in both the cupcake and frosting.

Baking Powder + Baking Soda – A duo that gives the cupcakes their perfect rise.

Kosher Salt – Balances the sweetness.

Unsalted Butter – Softened butter adds richness and helps create a fluffy texture. You’ll use it in both the cupcakes and frosting.

Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cupcakes and cinnamon sugar topping.

Eggs – For structure and moisture.

Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and depth.

Cream Cheese – Adds tangy richness to the frosting—make sure it’s softened so it blends well.

Confectioners’ Sugar – Creates that smooth, pipeable frosting.

Mini Churros – For topping! Use homemade or store-bought and cut into 2-inch pieces.

How to Make Mini Churro Cupcakes

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line your muffin tins with cupcake liners and set them aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a measuring cup, whisk the Greek yogurt and milk until well combined. Let it sit at room temperature while you prep the rest.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until just combined.

Step 5: Combine Everything
With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients and wet ingredients (the yogurt-milk mixture) in three parts, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated—don’t overmix!

Step 6: Fill and Bake
Scoop about 2–3 tablespoons of batter into the lined muffin tins, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Frosting
In a clean mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add the confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon and beat for another 2–3 minutes until fluffy.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and swirl onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top of each cupcake, then press in a mini churro for the final touch.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

• No Greek yogurt? Use sour cream—it gives the same moisture and tang.
• Make it dairy-free: Swap in plant-based butter, cream cheese, and milk.
• No piping bag? A zip-top bag with the corner cut works great in a pinch.
• Want more flair? Drizzle with dulce de leche or chocolate sauce before adding the churro.
• Don’t overmix – It’s the quickest way to end up with dense cupcakes.
• Want bakery-style tops? Fill each liner with the same amount of batter and bake in the center rack of your oven. It makes a huge difference!
• Homemade churros are the real thing—crispy on the outside, soft inside, and way better than anything from the freezer aisle. Here’s an easy recipe!
• Want to get creative? Try filling the cupcakes with dulce de leche or Nutella—two of our favourite churro fillings.

Storing and Making Ahead

Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before serving for best texture.

You can bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and frost the day of. Wait to top with churros until right before serving to avoid sogginess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought churros?
Yes! Just cut store-bought churros into 1 to 2 inch pieces for easy topping.

Can I use a cake mix as a shortcut?
You can, but the flavor and texture won’t be quite as rich. Use a vanilla mix and add cinnamon to the batter.

What kind of piping tip should I use?
A closed star tip gives that classic swirl. You can also just spoon on the frosting if you’re short on time.

Do I have to use cream cheese frosting?
Not at all! Buttercream or cinnamon buttercream work great too.

Can I freeze the cupcakes?
Yes—freeze unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.

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More Sweet Treats Like These Cupcakes

If you loved these Mini Churro Cupcakes, here are a few more easy favorites you might enjoy:

• Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
• Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
• Matcha Green Tea Cupcakes
• Lemon Coconut Cupcakes
• German Chocolate Cupcakes
• Peach Pie Cupcakes

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Tried these Churro Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting? Leave a quick review—tell us how your cupcakes turned out!