Description
This Churro Layer Cake with Cinnamon Sugar Crunch is a delightful celebration of classic churro flavors transformed into a luscious layered cake. Featuring moist cinnamon-spiced cake layers, a rich cinnamon buttercream frosting, and topped with crispy churros for a crunchy finish, this dessert is perfect for churro lovers looking to impress with a show-stopping sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cinnamon Cake
- 2 ½ cups (325g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (168g) unsalted Challenge Butter, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups (310g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups (300ml) milk
Cinnamon Buttercream
- 2 ½ cups (560g) unsalted Challenge Butter, softened at room temperature
- 10 cups (1150g) powdered sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 8 tablespoons (60-75ml) water or cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Decoration
- Churros, store-bought or homemade
- Cinnamon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Pans and Preheat Oven: Line the bottoms of three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles and grease the sides. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed for 3–4 minutes until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy. Proper creaming is essential for a light cake texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add half of the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until mostly combined. Then gradually pour in the milk and mix fully. Add the remaining dry ingredients and combine until the batter is smooth, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Evenly divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool the cakes in the pans for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Buttercream: Beat softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Slowly add half the powdered sugar and mix well. Add vanilla extract and ground cinnamon and mix thoroughly. Pour in 4 tablespoons of water or cream and the salt, beating until smooth. Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add more water or cream if needed.
- Level Cake Layers: Using a serrated knife, level the tops of the cooled cakes to remove domes, ensuring flat layers for stacking.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the first cake layer on your serving plate. Spread about 1 cup of cinnamon buttercream evenly over the layer. Repeat with the second cake layer and frosting. Place the final cake layer on top and frost the outside of the cake evenly.
- Decorate the Cake: Pipe swirls of remaining frosting around the top edge using a piping tip like Ateco 849. Place a churro atop each swirl and arrange additional churros around the base. Optionally, sprinkle the entire cake with cinnamon sugar for extra flavor and crunch.
- Storage: Store the finished cake in an airtight container. It is best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and cake texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
- Using water or cream in the frosting affects consistency; adjust to reach your preferred texture.
- You can use homemade or store-bought churros for decorating.
- For extra crunch and flavor, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the frosting after decorating.
- Keep the cake refrigerated if your kitchen is warm, but bring to room temperature before serving for best taste.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: churro cake, cinnamon cake, buttercream frosting, layered cake, churro dessert, cinnamon sugar, celebration cake
