If there’s one dessert that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day, it’s these churro cream cheese lava cups. Inspired by traditional Spanish churros and the gooey delight of molten cakes, this recipe is a beautiful marriage of crispy cinnamon sugar and rich, melty cream cheese centers. Growing up in a Latin-American household, churros were a staple at celebrations and Sunday brunches. This twist was born when I started experimenting with filling cupcakes, realizing the magic that happens when warm cream cheese meets buttery cinnamon pastry.
Whether you’re entertaining guests, whipping up something special for the kids, or just want a cozy night treat, these churro cream cheese lava cups are your golden ticket.
Why You’ll Love This Churro Cream Cheese
You’re going to fall head over heels for this churro cream cheese recipe because:
- It’s a nostalgic fusion of two classic desserts: churros and lava cake.
- The ingredients are simple and pantry-friendly.
- It’s ready in under 30 minutes.
- That warm, creamy center is absolute heaven.
- The smell alone will transport you to your favorite street fair.
Pure Comfort
There’s something so soul-soothing about cinnamon, sugar, and cream cheese together. These lava cups are soft, warm, sweet, and slightly tangy the ultimate churro cream cheese comfort treat that’s both indulgent and uplifting.
Ingredients for Churro Cream Cheese
Here’s everything you’ll need to bring these sweet little beauties to life:
For the Churro Base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Rolling:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
What You Need
You don’t need fancy gear to make churro cream cheese lava cups:
- Muffin tin or ramekins
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Piping bag (or Ziploc with a cut corner)
- Pastry brush (optional, for butter)
You might also want to check out Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies if you’re craving another cream cheese-infused classic!
Time to Cook Churro Cream Cheese
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Cool time: 5 minutes
- Total: 30–35 minutes
Steps to Make It
- Preheat & Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your muffin tin or ramekins lightly. - Mix the Batter:
In a bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla, then fold in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. The batter should be smooth and thick. - Make the Filling:
In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy and lump-free. - Assemble Lava Cups:
Spoon half the batter into prepared muffin cups. Pipe or spoon a generous dollop of the churro cream cheese mixture into the center. Top with remaining batter to seal. - Bake:
Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are golden but centers still soft. - Cinnamon Sugar Magic:
Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Roll warm lava cups gently in this mixture, or sprinkle generously on top. - Serve:
Serve warm watch that cream cheese flow!
Make It Perfect
- Use room temperature cream cheese so your filling mixes smoothly.
- Don’t overbake. You want the centers to stay gooey.
- For even distribution, use a piping bag to center the cream cheese.
Mix It Up
Want to take it even further? Try:
- Adding a chocolate chunk into the center with the cream cheese.
- Swapping vanilla for almond extract in the batter.
- Dusting with powdered sugar or topping with dulce de leche drizzle.
- Or, if you’re craving chocolate, explore this Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe for more molten inspiration.
Perfect Partners
Pair your churro cream cheese lava cups with:
- Hot chocolate or cinnamon latte.
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Or serve after a hearty dinner like this Decadent Pecan Pie Brownies for a full dessert spread!
Busy Day Hero
This recipe is your go-to for when you need a last-minute treat that still looks fancy. It’s quick to prepare, uses pantry staples, and always gets rave reviews. Plus, the aroma is like a built-in stress reliever.
Work Ahead
You can prep the cream cheese filling and batter a day ahead. Store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When ready to bake, assemble and go!
Save Some For Later
Store any leftovers (if you’re lucky to have any!) in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds for that just-baked warmth.
Everyone’s Happy
From picky kids to indulgent adults, churro cream cheese lava cups hit all the sweet spots. It’s one of those crowd-pleasers that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
You might also like the Heavenly Lemon Cheesecake Cookie Bars another creamy treat that melts hearts.
Good For You Too
While it’s not a “healthy dessert,” you can make smart swaps:
- Use Greek yogurt in place of some butter.
- Try a reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Go for coconut sugar and whole wheat flour for a more wholesome twist.
Easy Clean Up
Minimal dishes, no splattering oil, and no fancy pans. This is baking made blissfully easy. One bowl for the batter, one for the filling, and one happy you.
Switch It Up
Take it next level with:
- A swirl of fruit jam inside.
- A graham cracker crumble topping.
- Or even fry the batter and make mini churro cream cheese doughnuts!
Check out the Fried Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwiches for another spin on crispy-cream cheese goodness.
Simply Perfect Churro Cream Cheese
The balance of crisp, soft, and creamy is unbeatable. These lava cups are so simple, yet so special. They feel like dessert magic, every time.
FAQs for Churro Cream Cheese
Q: Can I freeze churro cream cheese lava cups?
A: Yes! Freeze before rolling in cinnamon sugar. Reheat and then coat for best texture.
Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
A: Definitely. Just sub a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix. Test one batch first for texture.
Q: Can I add fruit?
A: Yes! A few berries inside the cream cheese center are divine.
Q: Can I use a boxed mix for the base?
A: You can, but the homemade base really enhances the churro cream cheese flavor combo.
Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Absolutely, and you’ll be glad you did!
Conclusion for Churro Cream Cheese
Whether you’re satisfying a sudden sweet craving, hosting a dessert night, or showing off at your next potluck, these churro cream cheese lava cups are bound to wow. They’re quick, delicious, and filled with that irresistible molten center that makes every bite feel like a celebration.
Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!
Print
Churro Cream Cheese Lava Cups
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 lava cups 1x
Description
These churro cream cheese lava cups combine buttery cinnamon pastry and a molten cream cheese center for the ultimate dessert treat.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
6 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (for filling)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin or ramekins.
In a bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth.
Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Spoon half the batter into prepared muffin cups.
Add a heaping teaspoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each cup.
Cover the filling with the remaining batter.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until edges are golden but centers are still soft.
Let cups cool slightly before rolling or sprinkling with cinnamon-sugar topping.
Serve warm and enjoy the molten cream cheese surprise.
Notes
Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling. For extra flavor, add a bit of lemon zest to the cream cheese. These can also be made in silicone muffin molds for easier release.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lava cup
- Calories: 298
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg