Churro Cheesecake Bars

These churro cheesecake bars are rich, decadent, sweet, and shockingly simple to make. Recipe developer Sarah Brekke suggests serving the churro cheesecake bars after a meal or with a cup of coffee.  

Churro Cheesecake Bar Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this churro cheesecake bar recipe: 

• Sugar: Start with ½ cup of white sugar. 
• Cinnamon: A tablespoon ground cinnamon lends warmth. 
• Cream cheese: You’ll need two packages of brown sugar and cinnamon spreadable cream cheese.
• Egg: An egg gives the filling moisture and helps find it together. 
• Vanilla: Two teaspoons of vanilla extract add a depth of flavor. 
• Orange zest: Orange zest is optional, but it gives the filling welcome brightness. 
• Crescent sheets: Refrigerated crescent sheets are the convenient crust. 
• Butter: Melted butter adds richness and gives the sugar something to adhere to. 
• Cajeta: Cajeta (Mexican caramel) is optional, but it’s the perfect finishing touch. 

How to Make Churro Cheesecake Bars

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make churro cheesecake bars: 

1. Sprinkle the bottom of a prepared pan with sugar and cinnamon. 
2. Place a crescent sheet in the pan. 
3. Make the filling, then spread it over the crescent sheet. 
4. Top with the remaining crescent sheet, then pour melted butter over the top. 
5. Sprinkle with the remaining sugar and bake until golden brown. 

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe was developed in our test kitchen. Check out some tips and tricks from culinary experts that might make the cooking process easier: 

• If you can't find cream cheese spread with brown sugar and cinnamon in it, substitute two 8-oz. packages cream cheese and beat 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon into the cream cheese with the vanilla and, if using, orange zest. That will help lend the churro flavor to these cheesecake bars.
• “If you end up with the perforated crescent rolls instead of the crescent sheets, just roll it out like normal and then pinch together the perforation marks to create a nice strong sheet,” according to Sarah. 

How to Store Churro Cheesecake Bars

Store the tightly covered churro cheesecake bars in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

Can You Freeze Churro Cheesecake Bars?

Yes, churro cheesecake bars can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams