Description
Delight in the perfect blend of crispy cinnamon sugar crust and creamy cheesecake filling with these Churro Cheesecake Bars. Featuring layers of buttery crescent roll dough, a rich cream cheese mixture, and a golden cinnamon sugar topping, this easy-to-make dessert captures the iconic flavors of churros in a convenient bar form, ideal for sharing or indulging any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Crust and Topping
- Two 8-oz packages refrigerated crescent roll dough or sheets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz full fat cream cheese (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: Combine 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon and ½ cup granulated sugar in a small bowl. Set aside for later use.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly and sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across the bottom to create the base layer.
- Prepare Bottom Crust: Open one package of crescent roll dough and unroll it. Press the seams together with your fingers or a rolling pin to form one uniform rectangular sheet. Fit this dough sheet into the prepared baking pan, ensuring it covers the entire bottom evenly.
- Make Cheesecake Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until smooth and fully blended with no lumps, creating a creamy consistency.
- Assemble Cheesecake Layer: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crescent roll crust in the pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, smoothing the surface to create a uniform layer.
- Prepare Top Crust: Open the second tube of crescent roll dough, unroll it, and similarly press the seams together to form a flat sheet. Gently place this sheet over the cream cheese layer, covering it completely.
- Add Butter and Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top crescent dough layer. Use the back of a spoon to spread the butter into a thin, even coat. Then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture generously on top for that signature churro flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking pan on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 26 to 30 minutes or until the dough has puffed up and turned a golden brown color.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the pan from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Let the bars cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours.
- Serve: After chilling, cut the bars into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the delightful combination of textures and flavors inspired by churros and cheesecake.
Notes
- You can top the bars with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese, but expect a slight difference in richness.
- These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Letting the bars chill completely before cutting ensures cleaner slices and better texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/12th of recipe)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: churro cheesecake bars, cinnamon sugar dessert, easy cheesecake recipe, crescent roll cheesecake, churro-inspired dessert, baked cheesecake bars
