Description
Churro Cheesecake Bars are an inventive fusion dessert that combines two crowd-pleasing favorites: the crispy cinnamon-sugar goodness of churros and the creamy, decadent richness of cheesecake. These bars feature a soft crescent dough crust, topped with a luscious cheesecake filling and crowned with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The result? A melt-in-your-mouth dessert that’s both crunchy and creamy with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Gingerbread Cookies:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing (for decorating):
- 3 egg whites (or 4 tbsp meringue powder mixed with 6 tbsp water)
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Make the Gingerbread Cookies:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes for your gingerbread house (sides, roof, etc.). Place the cutouts on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are firm. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Prepare the Royal Icing:
- Beat Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until the icing is thick and holds stiff peaks.
- Color the Icing: If desired, divide the icing into bowls and tint with food coloring for decorating.
4. Assemble and Decorate:
- Decorate Cookies: Use the royal icing to decorate the cooled gingerbread cookies. You can use it to glue pieces together to form your gingerbread house.
- Let Icing Dry: Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely before handling or stacking.
5. Display and Enjoy:
- Showcase Your Creation: Once dry, display your gingerbread house cookies as a festive centerpiece or enjoy them with family and friends!
Notes
For an extra indulgent twist, drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce before serving. These bars taste even better after chilling, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Bar
- Calories: 320kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Churro Cheesecake Bars