Imagine everything you love about churros — the cinnamon-sugar crunch, the soft interior, and the warm, nostalgic flavor — now transformed into a stunning cake. Churro cake is a dessert that captures all the joy of the traditional Spanish treat in a layered, bakery-style format. It’s ideal for birthdays, brunches, holidays, or anytime you want to impress guests with something unique and decadent.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to make a homemade churro cake, with tips for the batter, frosting, cinnamon sugar coating, and optional fillings like dulce de leche or chocolate ganache. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious beginner, this guide will walk you through every delicious step.
What Is Churro Cake?
Churro cake is a dessert inspired by the iconic Spanish and Latin American fried dough pastry known as the churro. Instead of being fried, this cake is baked, but it carries the same warm flavors — especially cinnamon and sugar — and often includes textures and elements that mimic the crisp outside and soft inside of a churro.
Common features include:
- Moist cinnamon cake layers
- Cinnamon buttercream or cream cheese frosting
- Dulce de leche or chocolate filling
- Cinnamon sugar topping
- Optional piped churro decoration
Ingredients for Churro Cake (3-Layer 8-inch Cake)
This recipe makes a three-layer cake, serving about 12–14 people.
For the Cake Layers:
- 2 ¾ cups (340g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups (300ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
Optional Cinnamon Sugar for Dusting:
- ½ cup sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter
- 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Pinch of salt
Optional Filling:
- Dulce de leche (½ cup spread between layers)
- Chocolate ganache (½ cup, optional drizzle or filling)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Churro Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Lightly dust the sides with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Tip: If you only have one or two pans, bake the layers in batches.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy — about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with the dry mix. Do not overmix.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy (about 2 minutes).
- Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
You should have a thick, fluffy, and pipeable cinnamon buttercream.
Step 5: Assemble the Cake
- Place the first layer on a cake board or serving plate.
- Pipe or spread a layer of cinnamon frosting. If using dulce de leche, add a thin layer on top of the frosting.
- Repeat with the second layer, then top with the third.
- Apply a crumb coat (thin layer of frosting), and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing the sides and top.
Step 6: Cinnamon Sugar Topping
Mix ½ cup sugar with 1 tbsp cinnamon. Sprinkle generously over the top and sides of the cake for an authentic churro texture and appearance.
Optional: You can also use a small kitchen torch to lightly caramelize some of the sugar on top for extra crunch.
Step 7: Add Finishing Touches
Want to go the extra mile? Try these additions:
- Mini churros (homemade or frozen) as cake toppers
- Caramel drizzle or ganache drip down the sides
- Whipped cream border for contrast
- Piped buttercream rosettes dusted with cinnamon sugar
Flavor Variations and Additions
Churro Cheesecake Cake
Alternate cinnamon cake layers with cheesecake layers for a decadent hybrid dessert.
Churro Cupcakes
Use the same batter and frosting recipe to make 24–30 cupcakes. Bake for 18–20 minutes.
Spiced Churro Cake
Add extra spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or clove to the batter for a deeper flavor profile.
Filled Churro Cake
Pipe dulce de leche or thick chocolate sauce into small holes in each cake layer before stacking.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cake Layers: Bake, cool, and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Frosting: Can be made 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Let it soften before using.
- Assembled Cake: Frosted cake keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Best served at room temperature.
Serving and Storage
How to Serve:
- Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes before slicing.
- Slice with a hot, clean knife for best results.
- Serve with a drizzle of caramel or alongside coffee.
How to Store:
- Refrigerated: Keeps up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- Frozen: Freeze unfrosted cake layers or frosted slices tightly wrapped.
Decorating on a Budget
Don’t want to spend much on decorating tools? Try these:
- Zip-top bag as a piping bag
- Butter knife or spoon to spread frosting
- Cinnamon and sugar for an easy, professional finish
- Grocery store churros for toppings
- Paper flags or candles for festive flair
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this as a one-layer cake?
Yes! Just use one third of the batter or bake in a 9×13 pan and frost the top only.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup milk and let sit for 5 minutes.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and check all other ingredient labels.
Is it too sweet for adults?
Not at all! You can reduce the sugar in the frosting slightly, or add a pinch of sea salt for balance.
Final Thoughts: A Crowd-Pleasing, Instagram-Worthy Cake
Churro cake is one of those desserts that looks like it came from a high-end bakery but is entirely achievable in your own kitchen. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and bursting with flavor — the perfect combination of fun and finesse.
Whether you’re making it for a birthday, holiday, brunch, or just to try something new, this churro cake is guaranteed to be a hit. The moist cinnamon sponge, silky frosting, and crunchy sugar coating make each bite feel like a warm churro hug — only better.