These Churro Cookies made with pie crust are an irresistible treat that combines the flaky, buttery texture of pastry with the warm, sweet flavor of classic churros. They’re filled with soft caramel candy, giving each bite a gooey, indulgent center that melts beautifully. Perfect for a quick dessert or a fun party snack, these cookies come together easily and taste like they came straight from a bakery.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these Churro Cookies bring together the simplicity of store-bought pie crust and the comforting taste of homemade churros. There’s no deep frying involved, yet I still get that delicious cinnamon-sugar crunch. The caramel filling adds just the right amount of richness, and the aroma while they bake is absolutely heavenly. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for when I want a sweet treat without much effort.
Ingredients
(Note: All ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.)
2 Pillsbury Pie Crusts
12 Soft Caramel Candy Cut into half
¼ cup Butter Unsalted, Melted
1 cup Sugar Granulated
1 tablespoon Cinnamon powder
Directions
- I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- I unroll the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut out small circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass.
- I place half of a caramel candy in the center of half the circles, then top them with another circle, pressing the edges together gently with a fork to seal.
- I brush each cookie with melted butter, then sprinkle generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture (made by combining the sugar and cinnamon).
- I arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them, and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Once baked, I let them cool for a few minutes before serving warm, so the caramel stays gooey inside.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 12 cookies. It takes roughly 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake, for a total of around 25 minutes.
Variations
Sometimes I drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the top for extra indulgence. I also like to use dulce de leche or Nutella instead of caramel for a fun flavor twist. For a festive version, I sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over the cookies once they’ve cooled.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover churro cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to bring back their crispiness. I avoid microwaving them because it can make the caramel too runny and the crust soggy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pie crust instead of store-bought?
Yes, I often use my own pie crust recipe when I have time—it works just as well.
What kind of caramel works best for this recipe?
Soft caramels melt perfectly, but I avoid hard caramel candies because they don’t soften as nicely.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, I prepare and assemble them ahead, then store them in the fridge before baking. When ready, I bake them fresh for the best texture.
Can I freeze churro cookies?
Absolutely—I freeze the unbaked cookies on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag. When I want a few, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
How can I make them extra crispy?
I bake them a little longer until they’re deep golden brown and brush lightly with extra butter halfway through baking.
Can I skip the caramel filling?
Yes, they still taste amazing without the filling—just pure, flaky cinnamon-sugar goodness.
What’s the best way to keep the caramel from leaking out?
I make sure to press the edges of the cookies tightly with a fork and chill them for 10 minutes before baking.
Can I air-fry these cookies instead of baking them?
Yes, I cook them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Can I use puff pastry instead of pie crust?
Definitely—puff pastry makes them lighter and flakier, though slightly different in texture.
How do I serve churro cookies?
I love serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra treat.
Conclusion
These Churro Cookies with pie crust are a delightful twist on a beloved classic. I love how they deliver all the churro flavor I crave without the hassle of frying. With their flaky crust, sweet caramel filling, and warm cinnamon-sugar coating, they’re the perfect quick dessert to impress guests or satisfy my own sweet tooth anytime.
Print
Churro Cookies {With Pie Crust}
Flaky, buttery churro cookies made with pie crust and filled with gooey caramel candy. These easy-to-make treats capture all the warm cinnamon-sugar flavor of classic churros—no frying required!
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
Ingredients
2 Pillsbury Pie Crusts
12 soft caramel candies, cut in half
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll the pie crusts on a lightly floured surface and cut small circles using a cookie cutter or glass rim.
- Place half of a caramel candy in the center of half the circles, then top with another circle and seal the edges with a fork.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl to create the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Brush each cookie with melted butter, then sprinkle generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each, and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes before serving warm, so the caramel remains soft and gooey inside.
Notes
Use dulce de leche or Nutella instead of caramel for variation.
To keep caramel from leaking, press edges firmly and chill cookies before baking.
For extra crispiness, bake a few minutes longer until deep golden brown.
Air-fryer option: cook at 375°F (190°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway.
Best served warm with vanilla ice cream or chocolate drizzle.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
