Churro Cheesecake Bars

a stack of three churro cheesecake bars on a blue plate.

These churro cheesecake bars are rich, decadent, sweet, and shockingly simple to make. Recipe developer suggests serving the churro cheesecake bars after a meal or with a cup of coffee.  

Churro Cheesecake Bar Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this churro cheesecake bar recipe: 

  • Sugar: Start with ½ cup of white sugar. 
  • Cinnamon: A tablespoon ground cinnamon lends warmth. 
  • Cream cheese: You’ll need two packages of brown sugar and cinnamon spreadable cream cheese.
  • Egg: An egg gives the filling moisture and helps find it together. 
  • Vanilla: Two teaspoons of vanilla extract add a depth of flavor. 
  • Orange zest: Orange zest is optional, but it gives the filling welcome brightness. 
  • Crescent sheets: Refrigerated crescent sheets are the convenient crust. 
  • Butter: Melted butter adds richness and gives the sugar something to adhere to. 
  • Cajeta: Cajeta (Mexican caramel) is optional, but it’s the perfect finishing touch. 

How to Make Churro Cheesecake Bars

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make churro cheesecake bars: 

  1. Sprinkle the bottom of a prepared pan with sugar and cinnamon. 
  2. Place a crescent sheet in the pan. 
  3. Make the filling, then spread it over the crescent sheet. 
  4. Top with the remaining crescent sheet, then pour melted butter over the top. 
  5. Sprinkle with the remaining sugar and bake until golden brown. 

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe was developed in our test kitchen. Check out some tips and tricks from culinary experts that might make the cooking process easier: 

  • If you can't find cream cheese spread with brown sugar and cinnamon in it, substitute two 8-oz. packages cream cheese and beat 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon into the cream cheese with the vanilla and, if using, orange zest. That will help lend the churro flavor to these cheesecake bars.
  • “If you end up with the perforated crescent rolls instead of the crescent sheets, just roll it out like normal and then pinch together the perforation marks to create a nice strong sheet,” according to Sarah. 

How to Store Churro Cheesecake Bars

Store the tightly covered churro cheesecake bars in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

Can You Freeze Churro Cheesecake Bars?

Yes, churro cheesecake bars can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Editorial contributions by

Churro Cheesecake Bars

(5)
a stack of three churro cheesecake bars on a blue plate.
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
24
Yield:
24 bars

Ingredients

  • cooking spray

  • 1/2 cup white sugar

  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

  • 2 (7.5-ounce) packages brown sugar and cinnamon spreadable cream cheese, softened

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)

  • 2 (8-ounce) packages refrigerated crescent sheets (2 sheets)

  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted

  • Cayete (Mexican caramel), warmed (optional) to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

    ingredients gathered to make zucchini coffee cake.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. In a small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture evenly in the bottom of the pan.

    cinnamon sugar sprinkled into the bottom of baking pan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Place one crescent sheet in the pan, trimming to fit as needed.

    crescent dough rolled out and placed over cinnamon sugar in a baking pan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. For filling, in a medium bowl beat cream cheese, egg, vanilla, and orange zest with a mixer on medium until smooth.

    cream cheese mixture blended until smooth.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Spread cream cheese filling evenly over crescent layer in pan.

    cream cheese mixture spread of bottom crescent layer.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Gently lay the remaining crescent sheet over the filling.

    crescent sheet placed on top of cream cheese in baking pan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Pour melted butter over the top.

    crescent sheet brushed with butter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture evenly over top.

    top layer dusted with cinnamon sugar.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly. Cut into bars. Serve warm or chill and serve within 24 hours. If desired, drizzle with Cajeta just before serving.

    golden-brown churro cheesecake baked and cooling on a wire rack.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

171 Calories
12g Fat
14g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 171
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 7g 34%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Sodium 157mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 50mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.


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