Intro
Hi, I’m Dulcia. I love turning simple pantry ingredients into cozy, crowd-pleasing treats. These Churro Cheesecake crescents pair cinnamon-sugared, creamy cheesecake filling with buttery crescent dough for an easy dessert you can make any night.
Origins
This recipe started as a mash-up of two ideas I adore – classic churro flavors and no-fuss cheesecake filling. Churros are beloved in Spanish and Latin American baking, and you can learn more about them on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churro.
The method borrows the simplicity of refrigerated crescent dough to create quick handheld pastries. For cheesecake technique tips, I often reference my Philadelphia-style filling notes here: https://www.dulciarecipes.com/philadelphia-cheesecake-filling/.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough or sheets
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar.
- Roll out or unroll crescent dough and lay flat; spread each sheet with softened cream cheese.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cream cheese.
- Roll up the dough, enclosing the filling, and seal edges.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, egg, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
- Brush the butter-egg mixture over the rolled dough.
- Bake according to crescent roll package directions until golden brown and cooked through.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Crescents
- Total Time: 27-30 mins
- Yield: 16 crescents 1x
Description
Crescent rolls filled with sweetened cream cheese and cinnamon-sugar, brushed with a buttery egg wash and baked until golden.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 (8-ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough or sheets
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar.
- Roll out or unroll crescent dough and lay flat; spread each sheet with softened cream cheese.
- Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cream cheese.
- Roll up the dough, enclosing the filling, and seal edges.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, egg, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
- Brush the butter-egg mixture over the rolled dough.
- Bake according to crescent roll package directions until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12-15 mins
Tips
- Use full-fat cream cheese and let it soften at room temperature for easier spreading.
- If your crescent dough comes in triangles, overlap them gently to create a sheet, then spread the filling.
- Brush evenly with the egg-butter wash so the sugar adheres and the tops brown nicely.
- For accurate nutrition info, consult the USDA database: https://www.usda.gov/.
Variations
- Churro rolls: After baking, toss warm crescents in additional cinnamon-sugar for extra crunch.
- Fruit twist: Add a thin layer of strawberry or apricot jam under the cream cheese for a sweet-tart contrast.
- For more cinnamon-cheesecake inspiration, see my cinnamon roll cheesecake post: https://www.dulciarecipes.com/cinnamon-roll-cheesecake/.
FAQ
Q: Can I freeze these before baking?
A: Yes, assemble and freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Q: How many does this recipe make?
A: Using two 8-ounce packages of crescent dough you will get roughly 8 to 12 rolled crescents depending on how you portion them.
Q: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
A: You can, but texture and richness will be reduced. I recommend full-fat for best flavor.
Conclusion
These Churro Cheesecake crescents are a quick, nostalgic dessert that come together with minimal effort. They are perfect for a last-minute gathering or a cozy treat. If you try them, let me know how you customize the filling or topping. For related recipes, check these posts: my Cheesecake Factory bread copycat: https://www.dulciarecipes.com/cheesecake-factory-bread/ and my cheesecake filling tips: https://www.dulciarecipes.com/philadelphia-cheesecake-filling/.
Happy baking,
Dulcia