These Churro Cheesecake Bars combine the flaky, buttery goodness of crescent rolls with a creamy cheesecake center and a cinnamon-sugar topping for a dessert that’s pure indulgence. Easy to prepare in just 10 minutes and perfect for make-ahead occasions, these bars are a fun, crowd-pleasing twist on classic churros and cheesecake—great for parties, potlucks, or a sweet family treat.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 2 cans Pillsbury crescent rolls

For the Cinnamon Sugar:

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.

3. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat cream cheese for about 30 seconds until fluffy. Add sugar, vanilla, and egg; beat until smooth.

4. Roll out each can of crescent dough into uniform sheets using a rolling pin.

5. Sprinkle ¼ cup of the cinnamon sugar in the greased dish. Lay the first sheet of dough over it.

6. Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the bottom dough layer.

7. Lay the second sheet of dough over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar.

8. Bake for 27–30 minutes or until golden brown.

9. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars. Chill before serving for best texture.

Nutrients (per bar, yields 12 servings)

• Calories: 265 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 34g

• Protein: 3g

• Fat: 15g

• Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 19mg

• Sodium: 355mg

• Sugar: 21g

• Fiber: 1g

• Vitamin A: 256 IU

• Calcium: 28mg

• Iron: 1mg

• Potassium: 30mg

The Charm of Crescent Dough

One of the reasons these bars are such a popular dessert option is the use of store-bought crescent rolls. This ready-made dough delivers flaky, buttery layers with minimal effort and zero fuss. It bakes up golden and crisp, providing the perfect vehicle for both the cheesecake center and the signature churro-like sugar crust. The ease and reliability of crescent dough make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels, while still delivering a bakery-quality result.

A Creamy Cheesecake Center

The cheesecake layer at the heart of this dessert brings rich texture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the cinnamon sugar topping. Made from softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and an egg, the filling is smooth, creamy, and lightly sweetened. Unlike traditional cheesecakes that require water baths and long bake times, this simplified filling comes together in minutes and bakes evenly within the crescent dough layers.

The result is a silky center that contrasts beautifully with the crisp outer layers, creating a balanced bite that’s neither too heavy nor too sweet. It’s comfort food at its best: indulgent but approachable.

Cinnamon Sugar: The Churro Factor

The defining flavor of this dessert comes from the generous coating of cinnamon sugar that echoes the crispy, sugary shell of traditional churros. It’s sprinkled on both the bottom of the pan and across the top of the bars before baking, creating a caramelized layer that’s slightly crunchy and bursting with flavor. As the bars bake, the cinnamon sugar melts slightly into the dough, forming that signature churro-like texture and flavor that makes these bars so addictive.

What’s especially great about this layer is how simple it is—just granulated sugar and cinnamon in the perfect ratio. Yet this uncomplicated mix gives the bars their distinct personality and nostalgic flavor profile.

Quick, Easy, and Foolproof

One of the most appealing aspects of Churro Cheesecake Bars is how quick and easy they are to make. With just 10 minutes of prep time, they’re a lifesaver for last-minute parties, school events, or potluck contributions. Everything comes together with basic pantry staples and a few common ingredients from the fridge, making this a go-to recipe for spontaneous baking sessions.

The simplicity of the process—layering crescent dough, mixing a basic cheesecake filling, and sprinkling sugar—means that anyone can pull off this dessert, even with limited baking experience. And because they’re bars, there’s no need for complicated slicing or presentation—just cut and serve.

Ideal for Make-Ahead and Storage

These bars are not only quick to assemble, but they’re also perfect for making ahead of time. In fact, chilling the bars before serving enhances their texture and flavor, allowing the filling to firm up and the cinnamon sugar topping to develop a light crunch. Once cooled and cut into squares, they can be stored in the refrigerator for several days—making them a fantastic option for entertaining or prepping desserts in advance.

Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch, planning for a party, or simply want something sweet on hand for the week, Churro Cheesecake Bars hold up beautifully and retain their flavor and texture.

A Treat That Appeals to All Ages

Kids and adults alike are drawn to this dessert for its comforting flavor and satisfying texture. For children, it offers the familiar sweetness of churros and the fun of handheld bars. For adults, the creamy cheesecake center and buttery crescent layers feel nostalgic and indulgent, without being overly complicated or messy.

Its balanced sweetness also makes it versatile enough to serve as either a casual weekday treat or an elegant addition to a dessert table. With its golden crust and swirl of cinnamon sugar on top, it’s a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Versatile and Customizable

While the classic version of Churro Cheesecake Bars is undeniably delicious, it also provides the perfect base for creative variations. You could swirl in a few spoonfuls of fruit preserves like raspberry or strawberry into the cheesecake layer for a burst of tartness. Add chocolate chips for a richer bite, or drizzle caramel sauce over the top after baking for extra indulgence.

If you’re looking for a fall-themed variation, try incorporating a dash of nutmeg or cloves into the cinnamon sugar mixture. For a spring refresh, a lemon-zest-enhanced cheesecake filling can give it a light and citrusy flair. The possibilities are endless, and each variation starts with the same reliable foundation.

Perfect for Celebrations, Gifting, or Everyday Enjoyment

These bars are tailor-made for celebrations. Their neat, uniform shape makes them ideal for dessert trays, cookie swaps, or lunchbox surprises. Wrapped individually or stacked in a decorative box, they also make a thoughtful homemade gift. Their crowd-pleasing flavor and inviting presentation make them an easy win at birthdays, holidays, or any event where dessert is served.

But even outside of parties and events, Churro Cheesecake Bars are worth keeping in your recipe rotation for the pure joy of having something sweet and special to enjoy with a cup of coffee, an afternoon break, or a late-night craving.

A Dessert Worth Repeating

Once you’ve made these bars once, they’re sure to become a permanent part of your dessert repertoire. Their combination of ease, versatility, and flavor makes them the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Whether you’re baking for guests or just indulging your sweet tooth, Churro Cheesecake Bars deliver on every level.

They’re also the kind of treat that gets better the next day—when the cheesecake sets even more firmly and the cinnamon sugar crust has fully developed its crisp, caramelized edges. That makes them ideal for anyone who likes baking in advance or planning meals around a busy schedule.

Conclusion: Classic Comfort with a Fun Twist

Churro Cheesecake Bars are a playful, modern mashup of two classic favorites. With flaky crescent dough, a smooth cheesecake center, and a generous topping of cinnamon sugar, they capture everything we love about comforting desserts—familiar flavors, satisfying textures, and simple, joyful preparation.

Easy enough for beginners and beloved by everyone who tries them, these bars are the kind of dessert that brings people together. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing for a potluck, or just treating yourself to something special, this is a recipe that always hits the sweet spot.