How do I get gooey cheese centers?

Place a spoonful of cheese mixture in the center of each muffin before baking for creamy, gooey results.

Can I use other cheeses?

Switch mozzarella for cheddar for a sharper taste or try Monterey Jack for extra meltiness.

The cinnamon sugar adds classic churro flavor and crunch but you can reduce or omit for a less sweet muffin.

Yes, they use vegetarian ingredients, though cheese may contain animal rennet—always check specific labels.

Add mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter for extra texture and flavor variation.

Dulce de leche and chocolate sauce make excellent accompaniments for added richness and sweetness.

A playful fusion of sweet and savory: fluffy muffins swirled with gooey cheese and dusted in cinnamon sugar, inspired by classic churros.

I first baked these for a movie night. The muffins vanished so fast I barely got to taste one, and everyone loved the gooey cheesy surprise inside.

Prepare pan:: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.
Mix dry ingredients:: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Mix wet ingredients:: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine batter:: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Prepare cheese filling:: In a small bowl, combine shredded mozzarella and softened cream cheese.
Assemble muffins:: Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter. Add 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture to the center of each. Top with remaining batter, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
Bake:: Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the edge comes out clean.
Make topping:: While muffins are baking, mix 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon for the topping.
Finish muffins:: Remove muffins from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Serve:: Serve warm for the best cheesy churro experience.

My kids giggle every time I pull out these muffins for after-school snack and beg to help with the cinnamon sugar topping.

12-cup muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, and a pastry brush make this recipe simple to put together and finish beautifully.

Each muffin has about 255 calories, 11 g fat, 33 g carbohydrates, and 6 g protein.

Stir in mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans for extra crunch, or swap mozzarella for sharp cheddar for bold flavor.

Try pairing these with dulce de leche or chocolate sauce for dipping. Enjoy them warm for the perfect melty texture!

→ How do I get gooey cheese centers?: Place a spoonful of cheese mixture in the center of each muffin before baking for creamy, gooey results.
→ Can I use other cheeses?: Switch mozzarella for cheddar for a sharper taste or try Monterey Jack for extra meltiness.
→ Is the cinnamon sugar topping essential?: The cinnamon sugar adds classic churro flavor and crunch but you can reduce or omit for a less sweet muffin.
→ Are these muffins suitable for vegetarians?: Yes, they use vegetarian ingredients, though cheese may contain animal rennet—always check specific labels.
→ How can I make it crunchier?: Add mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter for extra texture and flavor variation.
→ What dips pair well with these muffins?: Dulce de leche and chocolate sauce make excellent accompaniments for added richness and sweetness.