churro cheesecake

Easy Churro Cheesecake — Cinnamon Sugar Bars are my go to answer for those days when you want something sweet, cozy, and honestly a little bit impressive, but you do not want a big baking project. You know the feeling, right? Company is coming, or you promised a dessert, and suddenly you are staring into the fridge like it is going to hand you a plan. These bars taste like a churro met a cheesecake and decided to become best friends. They are buttery, creamy, and heavy on that cinnamon sugar moment. Let me walk you through exactly how I make them, plus a few little shortcuts I have learned along the way.

Why This Recipe Works

The main reason I love Easy Churro Cheesecake — Cinnamon Sugar Bars is that they give you that bakery style payoff without the fussy steps. You get a simple crust and top that bakes up golden, and a cheesecake layer in the middle that stays soft and creamy. It is a texture party in the best way.

Here is what makes them so reliable:

1. Store bought dough keeps it easy. Using refrigerated crescent dough means you skip making pastry from scratch, but you still get that tender, buttery bite.

2. The cinnamon sugar does the heavy lifting. It smells amazing while baking, and it gives the top that classic churro vibe without frying anything.

3. The cream cheese layer bakes up stable. You can slice these bars cleanly once they cool, which matters if you are serving people and want them to look cute on a plate.

Also, if you are in a cheesecake bar phase like I usually am, you might want to bookmark this one for later too: easy chocolate chip cheesecake bars. That one is no bake, which is perfect when it is too hot to turn on the oven.

Ingredients Needed

You do not need anything fancy here. Most of this is probably already in your kitchen, and if not, it is all easy to find.

• Crescent roll dough, 2 cans (the classic refrigerated kind)
• Cream cheese, 16 oz, softened (two blocks)
• Granulated sugar, 1 cup total (some for filling, some for topping)
• Vanilla extract, 1 to 2 teaspoons
• Ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons (or more if you are a cinnamon person)
• Butter, 4 tablespoons, melted
• Pinch of salt (optional, but it helps the flavor pop)

A quick tip from my own mistakes: soften the cream cheese properly. If it is cold, you will fight lumps. I usually set it out for 30 to 45 minutes, and if I forget, I cut it into cubes and let it sit for 15 minutes. Works like a charm.

If you love that cinnamon sugar situation, you would probably also be into these easy air fryer churro bites for snacky weekends.

How to Make Churro Cheesecake Bars

I make these in a 9×13 pan, because it feeds a crowd and the bars come out the perfect thickness. If you are baking for just a couple people, you can halve everything and use a smaller pan, but the full batch disappears fast in my house.

Step by step directions

1. Preheat and prep. Set your oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan or line it with parchment if you want super easy lifting and slicing later.

2. Mix cinnamon sugar. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon. Set it aside. Try not to inhale it straight from the bowl.

3. Press in the bottom layer. Unroll one can of crescent dough and lay it into the pan. Press the seams together so it becomes one even layer. Do not stress if it looks imperfect. It bakes up forgiving.

4. Make the cheesecake filling. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla, and a tiny pinch of salt if you want. I use a hand mixer, but a sturdy spoon works if the cream cheese is soft enough. Spread the filling over the dough layer.

5. Add the top layer. Unroll the second can of crescent dough. This part can be a little annoying, so I do it on the counter first. Pinch seams together, then gently lift and lay it over the filling. If it tears, patch it. Nobody will know.

6. Butter and cinnamon sugar. Pour melted butter evenly over the top. Sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture all over, like you mean it.

7. Bake. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden and set. The center should not jiggle like liquid.

8. Cool, then chill. This is the hardest part because it smells incredible. Let it cool on the counter, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing. Cold bars slice cleaner and taste more cheesecake like.

When I want to make a fun dessert table, I will pair these bars with something chocolatey in cups, like this decadent chocolate cheesecake trifle. People love having options, and it makes you look way more prepared than you probably are.

“I made these for my sister’s movie night and everyone kept sneaking back to the pan for one more piece. The cinnamon sugar top tastes just like a churro, and the middle is so creamy. This is going into my permanent dessert rotation.”

Churro Cheesecake Variations

Once you make Easy Churro Cheesecake — Cinnamon Sugar Bars the classic way, you can totally play around with them. I do not always, but it is nice to have options depending on the occasion or what is in the pantry.

Fun twists to try

Caramel drizzle: After the bars chill, drizzle caramel sauce over each slice. It gives that fair food vibe.

Chocolate swirl: Melt a little chocolate and swirl it into the cream cheese layer before adding the top dough. Not too much, just enough to make it interesting.

Holiday version: Add a tiny bit of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar, and top with a sprinkle of festive sugar after baking. If you are in holiday baking mode, you might also like this sugar cookie cheesecake Christmas recipe for something a little more seasonal.

Almond joy vibes: If you love coconut and chocolate, serve these bars alongside something like almond joy bars and watch people lose their minds choosing favorites.

Extra crunchy top: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of coarse sugar mixed into your cinnamon sugar topping. It gives a little crackle on top that feels fancy.

Recipe FAQ

Common questions I get

Do I have to refrigerate them before slicing?
Yes, if you want clean bars. You can eat them warm with a spoon, and I will not judge, but chilling makes them slice neatly and taste more like cheesecake.

How do I store leftovers?
Keep them covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. I like them cold, straight from the fridge. You can also let a slice sit for 10 minutes if you prefer a softer bite.

Can I freeze churro cheesecake bars?
You can. Slice them, wrap individually, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. The texture stays pretty great.

What if my crescent dough keeps tearing?
It happens. Just patch the holes and pinch seams together. Once baked and covered in cinnamon sugar, nobody will notice.

How do I know they are done baking?
The top should be golden and look set. If you gently shake the pan, the center should not slosh. A tiny bit of softness is okay since it firms up as it cools and chills.

A sweet finish and a little encouragement

If you need a dessert that feels cozy and crowd pleasing, Easy Churro Cheesecake — Cinnamon Sugar Bars are the one. You get that cinnamon sugar crunch on top, a creamy center, and a buttery base without a ton of effort. If you want to compare methods or grab more inspiration, check out Churro Cheesecake (So Easy!) – Celebrating Sweets and Easy Churro Cheesecake Bars – Lil’ Luna because they have great ideas too. Now promise me you will let the bars chill before slicing, even though it is torture. When you make them, pour a coffee, cut a generous square, and enjoy that first bite like you earned it.