Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Dough:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup milk
For the Cheesecake Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream (or milk) until smooth and creamy.
Transfer the cheesecake filling to a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off. Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the cookie dough.
3. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla extract, beating well after each addition.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
4. Shape the Cookies:
Scoop out a small amount of dough (about 1-2 tablespoons) and roll it into a ball.
Using your finger or a small spoon, make a small indent in the center of the dough ball. Pipe a small amount of the chilled cheesecake filling into the center of each cookie dough ball.
Carefully pinch the dough around the filling to seal it, then roll the ball again to smooth it out. Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake the Cookies:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still soft. The cookies will firm up a bit as they cool.
6. Coat the Cookies in Cinnamon-Sugar:
While the cookies are baking, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the coating in a shallow bowl.
Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.
While they are still warm, roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat completely.
7. Serve:
Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy these delicious, soft, and gooey treats with a cup of coffee or milk!