These Vanilla Cream Filled Churros are a delicious twist on the traditional churro—crispy on the outside, coated in cinnamon sugar, and filled with a rich, fluffy vanilla cream. They’re the perfect combination of warm and cool textures, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. Ideal for parties, brunch, or whenever you’re craving something special, these churros are surprisingly easy to make and even easier to devour!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Churros

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup unsalted butter (or vegetable oil)

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Vegetable oil for frying

• ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)

For the Vanilla Cream Filling

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Make the Churro Dough

• In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter (or oil), sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.

• Remove from heat and stir in flour vigorously until a dough forms.

• Return the pot to low heat and cook the dough for 1 more minute, stirring constantly to dry it out slightly.

• Let the dough cool slightly, then beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

• Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.

2. Fry the Churros

• Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).

• Pipe 4–5 inch lengths of dough directly into the oil, cutting with scissors. Fry until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes per side.

• Drain on paper towels, then roll warm churros in cinnamon sugar mixture.

3. Make the Vanilla Cream

• In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.

• Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and whip to stiff peaks.

4. Fill the Churros

• Use a chopstick or skewer to poke a tunnel through each churro.

• Fill a piping bag with vanilla cream and pipe into each churro from both ends.

5. Serve

• Serve immediately while warm for the ultimate creamy, crunchy dessert experience.

Nutrients (per churro, approx. based on 12 servings)

• Calories: 300

• Fat: 18g

• Saturated Fat: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Sugar: 15g

• Protein: 4g

• Cholesterol: 80mg

• Sodium: 120mg

Why You’ll Love These Filled Churros

• Crispy and light exterior coated in cinnamon sugar

• Cool, rich vanilla cream filling for a creamy surprise inside

• Easy to make at home with pantry staples and no special equipment required

• Customizable—use chocolate, coffee, or caramel fillings for variety

• Perfect for parties or brunches, served warm or at room temperature

• A fun, creative project that rewards you with bakery-style results

Each churro offers a multi-textured dessert experience that’s both nostalgic and novel.

Flavor and Texture Profile

These churros are all about balance and contrast:

• The outer layer is fried to golden perfection, crisp and sugar-dusted

• The churro dough is light and subtly sweet with a hint of vanilla

• The vanilla cream filling is smooth, airy, and decadent—cooling against the warm shell

• Cinnamon sugar coating adds warmth, crunch, and a sweet finish

It’s a playful contrast of hot and cold, crispy and creamy—an elevated version of a fairground favorite.

Tips for Making Perfect Filled Churros

• Cook the dough well before adding eggs—it should pull away from the sides and leave a film on the bottom of the pan

• Let the dough cool slightly before adding eggs to avoid scrambling them

• Use a large star piping tip for that classic ridged churro shape, which helps hold the sugar and crisp up during frying

• Fry in small batches to avoid crowding and keep the oil temperature steady

• Always drain on paper towels and roll in cinnamon sugar while still warm so it sticks well

• When filling, create a channel through the churro with a skewer or chopstick first to make piping easier

To avoid sogginess, fill just before serving or store components separately and assemble right before eating.

Serving Suggestions

These filled churros are best enjoyed warm, but they’re just as delightful at room temperature. Serve them:

• Stacked on a platter with powdered sugar dusting for a brunch centerpiece

• With a side of melted chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping

• Garnished with fresh berries and mint for a dessert plate

• As part of a churro dessert board with dipping sauces, whipped cream, and fruit

• For celebrations, serve in parchment cones or cups for easy handheld enjoyment

Pair them with a hot cup of coffee, espresso, or Mexican hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy combo.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

While churros are best fresh, you can prep ahead:

• Dough can be made a few hours in advance, kept at room temperature in a sealed piping bag

• Fried churros can be stored at room temperature for a day and reheated in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes

• Vanilla cream should be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days

• Do not fill ahead of time unless serving immediately—filled churros may lose their crispness

For parties, consider a “fill-your-own” churro bar with a piping bag and a few filling options for fun and freshness.

Creative Variations

Love the idea? Try these flavor spins:

Chocolate Dream Churros
– Add cocoa powder to the cream
– Drizzle with chocolate ganache

Berry Bliss Churros
– Mix berry puree into the vanilla cream
– Top with crushed freeze-dried strawberries

Coconut Cream Churros
– Swap whipped cream for coconut whipped cream
– Roll churros in toasted coconut + cinnamon sugar

Dulce de Leche Filled Churros
– Fill with canned or homemade dulce de leche
– Top with a pinch of sea salt

Pumpkin Spice Churros (for fall)
– Add pumpkin puree and spice to the filling
– Use pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon in the coating

These variations keep the base recipe fresh and festive for every season or theme.

Nutritional Highlights

Each churro is approximately:

• Calories: 300

• Fat: 18g (Saturated: 8g)

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Sugar: 15g

• Protein: 4g

• Cholesterol: 80mg

• Sodium: 120mg

You can lighten it up slightly by:

• Using whipped Greek yogurt or a lighter cream in the filling

• Baking instead of frying (though this changes the texture)

• Using less sugar in the coating or switching to a sugar substitute

Conclusion

Vanilla Cream Filled Churros are the kind of dessert that makes any occasion feel like a celebration. With their crunchy cinnamon sugar shell and creamy, dreamy filling, they offer a perfect contrast of textures and flavors that’s sure to leave everyone smiling.

Easy to customize and impossible to resist, these churros are fun to make, fun to serve, and even more fun to eat. Whether you’re treating guests or just yourself, this dessert brings a little magic to any moment.