Easy Homemade Churro Bars: Sweet, Soft, and Chewy Blondies with a Cinnamon Sugar Twist
Prepare to discover your new favorite treat: these incredibly Sweet, Soft, Chewy Churro Bars! Imagine the beloved flavors of traditional churros – the warm, sweet crunch of cinnamon and sugar – perfectly blended with the rich, buttery goodness of a blondie. This recipe delivers all the irresistible appeal of churros without the hassle of deep-frying or intricate dough preparation. It’s a game-changer for anyone who adores that classic cinnamon-sugar combination.
Authentic churros are undoubtedly a fantastic dessert experience, with their crispy exterior and soft interior, all enveloped in a delightful cinnamon and sugar coating. However, the process of making churro dough from scratch and then deep-frying can be time-consuming and a bit messy. That’s where these phenomenal churro bars come in! They capture the essence of churros in a much more accessible and family-friendly bar form.
The first time this recipe was tested, the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Everyone who tasted them immediately asked for the recipe. It quickly became one of those recipes shared even before it was officially published, a testament to its widespread appeal. Seriously, if you have a soft spot for anything flavored with cinnamon and sugar, these bars are guaranteed to become a cherished addition to your dessert repertoire. They’re buttery, tender, and infused with an abundance of that beloved spice, making every bite a heavenly experience.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Homemade Churro Bars
These churro bars aren’t just another dessert; they’re a revelation! Here’s why they’re destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- No Mixer Required: The foundation of this recipe is a straightforward blondie base, designed for ultimate ease. You simply melt the butter, which eliminates the need to wait for it to soften, and then use a spatula or a whisk to combine all your ingredients. This means less equipment to wash and a quicker path to deliciousness.
- Incredibly Fast to Prepare: From gathering your ingredients to having these bars ready for the oven, you’ll be done in about 10 minutes! There’s no complex chilling or proofing time. The one-bowl method streamlines the process, making it perfect for last-minute cravings or busy weeknights.
- Irresistibly Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Flavor: The defining characteristic of a churro – its iconic cinnamon and sugar crust – is not just replicated here; it’s amplified! These bars feature a generous coating of cinnamon sugar both on the bottom and generously sprinkled over the top, creating a delightful texture and an explosion of flavor in every bite. Plus, there’s cinnamon mixed right into the blondie batter for an extra layer of warmth and spice. They are pure, unadulterated heaven for your taste buds.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need a quick dessert for a potluck, a delightful treat for family movie night, or simply want to satisfy a sweet craving, these churro bars are a versatile choice. They travel well and are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Adaptable and Versatile: While phenomenal on their own, these bars are also incredibly versatile. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or a dollop of whipped cream for an even more decadent experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Churro Bars
For precise measurements and detailed instructions, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
Creating these delightful churro bars requires a few simple, everyday baking ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:
- Butter: I consistently opt for unsalted butter in my baking recipes. This allows for precise control over the salt content in the final product. If you’re curious about the differences and why it matters, you can read more in my guide on Salted vs Unsalted Butter. Melting the butter simplifies the mixing process, contributing to the bars’ tender texture.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is key here. Its molasses content adds a rich, caramel-like depth of flavor and contributes to the bars’ moist and chewy consistency, making them truly irresistible.
- Egg: A single large egg acts as a binding agent, providing structure to the blondie base and helping to create that perfect chewy texture. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm and aromatic note that complements the cinnamon beautifully. Don’t skip it!
- All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural component of our blondie base. Be sure to measure your flour correctly (spoon and level) to avoid dry or dense bars.
- Cinnamon: This is the star spice! Used both in the batter and generously in the cinnamon-sugar coating, it delivers that signature churro flavor. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the best aroma and taste.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the bars. It brings out the best in the butter and sugar.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent provides a slight lift, ensuring the bars are soft and tender rather than overly dense. Always check that your baking powder is active for optimal results.
- Granulated Sugar: Combined with cinnamon, this forms the irresistible coating that makes these bars taste just like churros.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make These Incredible Churro Bars
Making these churro bars is surprisingly simple, even for novice bakers. Just follow these easy steps to sweet perfection:
- Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Cinnamon Sugar Topping. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon designated for the topping until well combined. This is your essential churro coating! Next, line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This thoughtful step will make it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch of bars out of the pan once cooled. Lightly spray the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray to prevent any sticking, then generously sprinkle about half of your prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. This creates a delicious, slightly crispy bottom crust.
- Step 2: Craft the Buttery Blondie Dough. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and light brown sugar. Whisk them together until the mixture is smooth and cohesive. The melted butter ensures a wonderfully tender blondie. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they are fully incorporated and the mixture is light and creamy. Finally, add the all-purpose flour, the teaspoon of cinnamon for the batter, baking powder, and salt. Mix gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dry ingredients are *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix; overworking the gluten can lead to tough bars.
- Step 3: Assemble and Bake. Carefully spread the prepared blondie batter evenly into your parchment-lined baking dish, smoothing the top with your spatula. Now, take the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture and sprinkle it generously over the entire surface of the batter. This will form the iconic churro-like crust on top. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the edges appear set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Step 4: Cool Completely Before Slicing. This step is crucial for the perfect texture! Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling allows the bars to set properly, ensuring they are firm enough to cut cleanly without crumbling. Once thoroughly cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of churro bars from the pan onto a cutting board. Slice into squares or rectangles and get ready to enjoy!
Pro Tips & Variations for Perfect Churro Bars
Achieving bakery-quality churro bars is easy with these helpful hints and creative suggestions:
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is a golden rule for many baked goods, especially blondies and cakes. Once you add the flour, mix only until the last streaks of white flour disappear. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in a tough, dense bar rather than a soft and tender one. Gentle mixing is key to a perfectly chewy texture.
- Parchment Paper is Your Best Friend: While optional, I highly recommend lining your baking dish with parchment paper. It’s a simple step that guarantees your bars won’t stick to the pan and makes removing the entire batch effortless. You can then easily lift the whole slab onto a cutting board for neat, uniform slices, making cleanup a breeze.
- Mastering the “Done” Test: Knowing when your bars are perfectly baked is essential. The edges will begin to crack slightly, and the top will appear dry. However, with the generous cinnamon and sugar topping, it can sometimes be a little harder to gauge doneness compared to traditional blondies. To be sure, insert a toothpick into the center of the bars. It should come out with moist crumbs clinging to it, but no wet batter.
- The Art of Not Overbaking: This is perhaps the most critical tip for achieving moist, tender, bakery-style baked goods. Remove your bars from the oven when they are just barely done. Remember, they will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat in the hot pan as they cool. If your toothpick comes out completely clean with no crumbs, your bars are likely overbaked and might end up dry or hard. Aim for that “mostly clean” toothpick. Testing a minute or two earlier than you think might be the secret to perfectly soft bars.
- Ingredient Quality Matters: Using fresh ingredients makes a noticeable difference. Ensure your baking powder hasn’t expired and your spices (especially cinnamon!) are fragrant and fresh. This will maximize the flavor of your churro bars.
- Flavor Variations:
- Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzle them over the bars for an extra layer of decadence.
- Dulce de Leche Swirl: Swirl a few tablespoons of dulce de leche into the batter before baking for a rich, caramel note.
- Chopped Nuts: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a textural contrast.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these bars warm (a quick zap in the microwave is perfect) with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a side of warm chocolate ganache for dipping.
Storing Your Delicious Churro Bars
Proper storage ensures your churro bars remain fresh and delicious for as long as possible:
You can conveniently store the churro bars right in the pan they were baked in. Simply cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. They will stay fresh and soft at room temperature for 3-4 days. For best results, keep them away from direct sunlight or heat.
Freezing Instructions: These bars freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying later. Once completely cooled, cut the bars into individual portions. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen bars to an airtight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They will maintain their quality in the freezer for 3-4 months. To serve, simply let them thaw on the counter at room temperature for an hour or two, or gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds for that fresh-baked feel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got more questions about making these churro bars? Here are answers to some common inquiries:
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted? Yes, you can, but you might want to reduce the added salt in the recipe by about a quarter to half a teaspoon to avoid the bars being too salty. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the overall saltiness.
- How can I make these gluten-free? While not tested with this specific recipe, you can often substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (one that contains xanthan gum). Results may vary slightly in texture.
- Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double this recipe. You’ll need a larger baking dish (e.g., a 9×13-inch pan) and adjust the baking time slightly, likely increasing it by 5-10 minutes, but still testing for doneness with a toothpick.
- What if I don’t have brown sugar? Brown sugar contributes moisture and a rich flavor that is characteristic of these bars. While granulated sugar can be used in a pinch, the bars may be slightly less chewy and have a milder flavor.
- Can I add chocolate chips to the batter? Absolutely! Mini chocolate chips would be a fantastic addition, especially if you love the combination of chocolate and cinnamon. Fold about ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter before spreading it into the pan.
More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of these Churro Bars, you’ll definitely want to try some of these other fantastic and easy dessert recipes:
- Dessert Wontons: Crispy, sweet, and endlessly customizable, these wontons are a fun treat.
- Frosted Churro Cookies: Another take on churro flavors in a cookie form, complete with a delightful frosting.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars: A classic combination of salty peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips in a chewy bar.
- Cake Mix Brownies: Super easy and incredibly fudgy brownies made from a simple cake mix.
- Snickerdoodles: Soft, chewy cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar – a timeless favorite!
- Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars: Creamy cheesecake layered between crescent roll dough and topped with cinnamon sugar.
Churro Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- In a small bowl mix together cinnamon and sugar for the topping.3 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- Line an 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spray with non-stick spray. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until combined and smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well incorporated.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 whole large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared baking dish.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are set and a tester comes out mostly clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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