Introduction

These Tasty Churro Crinkle Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. With a crispy cinnamon-sugar coating and a soft, crinkled center, they bring the warm flavors of churros to your cookie jar. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they’re sure to become a family favorite.

The image shows a close-up of a stack of seven fried, twisted pastries covered in coarse sugar and cinnamon. Each pastry is a warm golden-brown with ridges and folds caused by the twisting, giving a rich texture. The sugar crystals sparkle on the surface, adding a glistening effect, while the cinnamon powder gives a slightly darker brown speckled appearance over the pastries. They are arranged in a pile on a plain white plate, with soft light highlighting their crunchy exterior. The background has a white marbled texture that contrasts gently with the warm tones of the pastries. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for coating)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
Powdered sugar (for crinkle effect)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 4: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a dough forms.
Step 6: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to help maintain the cookie shape.
Step 7: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the coating.
Step 8: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Step 9: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking trays, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 10: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly puffed and crinkled around the edges but still soft in the center.
Step 11: Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 12: Optionally, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a beautiful crinkle effect.

Tips & Variations

Chill the dough before baking to help the cookies keep their shape and achieve the perfect texture.
Use fresh cinnamon for the coating to maximize the warm, spicy flavor.
For extra crunch, double coat the dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking.
Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers are still soft to ensure chewiness.
Test your oven temperature with an oven thermometer for even baking results.
Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of orange zest to the dough for a unique twist.

Storage

Store cooled churro crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds to regain their soft texture and fresh-baked flavor.

How to Serve

A close-up shot shows a pile of small, round cookies with a golden-brown color and visible ridges across each cookie. The cookies are covered in a mix of granulated sugar and cinnamon, giving them a sparkly, slightly rough texture. They are stacked unevenly on a white plate, and the white marbled surface beneath is just barely visible. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the warm tones and sugary coating of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste.

How do I get the crinkle effect on the cookies?

Dusting the coated cookie dough balls with powdered sugar before baking creates the signature crinkle effect as the cookies spread and crack in the oven.