These cream cheese churro pastry bites are the perfect treat for all the churro and cheesecake lovers out there. Made with puff pastry dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and filled with a decadent cream cheese filling nestled in the center of each bite-sized pinwheel, and baked to golden, flaky perfection. A final drizzle of glaze finished off this delightful treats.
I love taking classic recipes or recipe ideas and putting a fun new twist on them. I’ve done it with all kinds of sweet and savory recipes, from taco casserole to cinnamon roll pull-apart bread and everything in between. One recipe I’m really loving these days is my cream cheese churro pastry bites. They combine everything we love about both churros and pastries into one delicious dish that’s easy to make and full of sweet flavor. I’ve been making it for a couple of years, and it’s become a traditional dessert for our Taco Tuesdays.
Cream Cheese Churro Pastry Bites
These little bites start with a base of mini braided puff pastry pinwheels. I top them with a homemade cream cheese filling infused with cinnamon and bake them until they’re golden and flaky. Then, I drizzle them with a simple vanilla glaze to complete the flavor profile. The whole thing is done in about 45 minutes (including cooling time), and when I’m all done, I have delicious pastries with the cinnamon flavor of churros and the sweet tang of cream cheese pastries!
Why You’ll Love This Churro Pastry Bites Recipe
- They combine the classic flavors of churro – crispy, cinnamon-sugar covered goodness – with the rich, creamy cheesecake filling for the perfect sweet treat.
- They are easy to make using store-bought puff pastry and are surprisingly simple to prepare.
- They’re a delicious bite-size pastry that is ideal for casual get-togethers or a midday snack.
Cream Cheese Churro Pastry Bites Ingredients
- Puff Pastry Sheets: Braided puff pastry strips create the classic pinwheel base for these bites.
- Cinnamon and Sugar: These combine to add the cinnamon churro flavor to these pastry pinwheels.
- Cream Cheese: Whipped cream cheese is mixed with vanilla and sugar to make the filling.
- Milk and Vanilla: Creates a simple glaze to finish off the dish.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
How to Make Cream Cheese Churro Pastry Bites
This is a simple recipe that comes together quickly and easily. The longest part of it is waiting for the pastries to cool before adding the drizzle and devouring them. Anyone can do it!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Pinwheels
Cut each pastry sheet into 16 strips. Then, twist each strip so it forms a braid. Place one end of a braided strip onto the parchment paper and twist it around itself to form a pinwheel. Repeat until all the strips are used.
Step 3: Make the Egg Wash
Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl, then brush each pastry with the egg wash.
Step 4: Add Cinnamon Sugar
Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle it over the pastries.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Then, add the sugar and vanilla and beat for 2 more minutes. Add a spoonful of the mixture to the center of each pastry.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Then, remove the pastries from the oven to cool.
Step 7: Make the Glaze
When the pastries have cooled, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over the pastries and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Easily wrap your pinwheels by holding the center end while wrapping the braided dough around itself.
- Fully soften your cream cheese and whip it thoroughly for the smoothest, creamiest texture.
- The pastries should be almost completely cool to ensure the glaze sticks to them.
Variations
- Try adding nuts for more flavor and texture.
- Add a little cinnamon to the glaze, as well.
- Apple filling, in addition to the cream cheese mixture, works well with the cinnamon flavor of these pastries.
What to Serve with Churro Pastry Bites
Serve these churro pastry bites with coffee or hot chocolate for a traditional pairing. They’re also wonderful with milk for the kiddos. Dip them in caramel or chocolate sauce, as well!
Recipe FAQ
Churro cream cheese pastry bites are miniature pastries made with a braided puff pastry pinwheel dusted with cinnamon sugar and topped with a cream cheese filling and vanilla glaze. It’s the perfect marriage of Danishes and churros.
Yes, they do. These churro pastry bites are made with a cream cheese filling. Aside from buttercream frosting, anything made with cream cheese or other dairy products should always be refrigerated for food safety.
These bites will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can. These churro pastry bites will last for up to a month in the freezer when stored properly.
Traditional churros are made with a thick, gummy batter consisting of flour, baking powder, and boiling water. It’s piped into long sticks, then cooked and topped with cinnamon sugar.
How to Store Leftover Churro Cream Cheese Pastry Bites
Refrigerate these pastry bites for up to 3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap the bites individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and set out for an hour before eating.
Try This Delicious Cream Cheese Churro Pastry Bite Recipe Today
These cream cheese churro pastry bites combine the rich, sweet, and tangy flavor of cream cheese filling and golden, flaky puff pastry with cinnamon sugar to creat the perfect marriage of a Danish and churro. It’s and easy, delicious recipe that comes together quickly and always has everyone coming back for seconds. Give it a try, and I know you’ll make it a permanent part of your recipe rotation.
More Delicious Pastry Recipes You’ll Enjoy
This Strawberry Pastry is a delicious pastry ring made with fresh strawberries, a sweet cream cheese mixture, wrapped in crescents, baked to flaky, golden perfection, and drizzled with a sweet glaze.
Cream Cheese Churro Pastry Bites
Ingredients
- 1 box puff pastry sheets
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon water
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Pastry
- Cut each pastry sheet into 16 strips.
- Twist each strip until it forms a braided piece.
- Place one end of the twisted strip down onto the parchment paper and wrap the dough around it, starting in the center and creating a pinwheel base.
Egg Wash
- In a small bowl, whisk egg and water together until well combined.
- Brush each pastry with the egg wash.
Cinnamon and Sugar
- In another small bowl, add sugar and cinnamon and stir until combined.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over pastries.
Cream Cheese Mixture
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add sugar and vanilla. Beat for 2 more minutes.
- Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each pastry.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
Glaze Drizzle
- Once the pastries have cooled, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together.
- Drizzle each pastry with glaze and enjoy.
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