Go Back

Churro Cheesecake Bars

Churro cheesecake bars with flaky crescent dough and a cinnamon-sugar topping. Baked at 350°F until deeply golden, then cooled for clean slices and a creamy cheesecake-style center.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
cooling 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 470

Ingredients
  

For the bars
  • 2 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 2 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp salt
For the cinnamon-sugar topping
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and assemble
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray, using a visual check that the pan surface looks evenly coated.
  2. Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the pan, pinching seams together to seal so there are no visible gaps.
  3. Beat the softened cream cheese with 3/4 cup granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt using a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then stop when the mixture looks lump-free and thick.
  4. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough layer in the pan, smoothing the top so it reaches the corners.
  5. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and lay it carefully over the cream cheese layer, gently pressing the seams to seal for full coverage.
Cinnamon-sugar churro topping
  1. Brush the melted butter evenly over the top layer of dough so the entire surface has a light, glossy sheen.
  2. Mix the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar with the ground cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle it generously and evenly over the buttered dough.
Bake, cool, and slice
  1. Bake for 28–32 minutes at 350°F (175°C), until the top is deeply golden brown and the edges are set, with a visible caramelized cinnamon crust.
  2. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour, keeping it undisturbed until the center no longer jiggles.
  3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes for cleaner cuts, then chill until the bars feel firm to the touch.
  4. Slice into 12–16 bars and serve at room temperature or chilled, using a clean cut as the final visual cue.

Notes

Pro tip: fully seal the crescent seams on both layers to prevent the cream cheese from leaking, which helps the center stay thick. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months (thaw overnight in the fridge) for best texture. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese if you want a slightly less rich filling while keeping the churro topping the same.