Effortlessly Delicious Churro Bars: Your Ultimate No-Fry Cake Mix Recipe for Quick & Easy Indulgence
Imagine all the irresistible cinnamon and sugar goodness of a classic churro, but without the hassle of deep-frying. These soft, chewy, and utterly delightful **Churro Bars** bring that dream to life! This incredible cookie bar recipe offers the authentic churro experience in a much quicker and simpler format. The secret to their incredible ease? A common pantry staple you likely already have: yellow cake mix! This shortcut transforms a potentially time-consuming dessert into a stress-free treat perfect for any occasion.
The Perfect Party Dessert: No-Fuss Churro Flavor for a Crowd
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, a birthday celebration, or a themed dinner, these dessert bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. In many regions, particularly in the Midwest where taco nights are a party staple, a Mexican-themed spread is incomplete without a delicious dessert. These churro bars fit the bill perfectly, offering a familiar, comforting flavor that complements any Mexican-inspired meal. They are inherently designed for sharing, making them an ideal choice when you need to serve a large group without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These No-Fry Churro Bars
It’s no secret that churros are beloved for their crisp, golden edges, soft, chewy interiors, and a generous coating of warm cinnamon and sugar. They are, quite simply, hard to resist. However, the traditional method of making churros involves deep-frying, which can be messy, time-consuming, and frankly, a bit of a chore. The thought of heating up a large pot of oil, carefully piping dough, and then dealing with the cleanup often deters even the most enthusiastic home bakers from making them.
This is where our **easy churro bars** shine! This ingenious dessert bar version captures all the authentic flavors and textures of churros without any of the frying fuss. You get the same delightful chewiness and the beloved cinnamon-sugar crust, all baked conveniently in a single pan. This means less mess, less stress, and more time to enjoy your delicious creation with friends and family. It’s the ultimate hack for getting your churro fix anytime you crave it!
Beyond the Pan: Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Churro Bars
While these **cake mix churro bars** are absolutely fantastic enjoyed straight from the pan, like any good cookie bar, their versatility truly shines when you get a little creative. They make for an absolutely amazing dessert foundation for luxurious **churro sundaes**! Imagine a warm, freshly baked churro bar topped with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, then drizzled with rich caramel sauce. It’s an out-of-this-world dessert experience that combines warm and cold, soft and creamy, all in one glorious bite. You can even add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, a dollop of whipped cream, or a dusting of extra cinnamon for an even more decadent treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need for These Easy Churro Bars
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its reliance on simple, accessible ingredients, especially the superstar cake mix! Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to gather:
- 1 box of yellow or golden butter cake mix: This is your ultimate shortcut to a perfect churro bar base. Yellow cake mix provides a rich, buttery flavor and a tender crumb, mimicking the interior of a traditional churro. Golden butter cake mix works equally well for an even more pronounced buttery note.
- 1/3 cup of vegetable oil: Adds moisture and helps create that soft, chewy texture. Canola or other neutral oils also work.
- 2 large eggs: Act as a binder, providing structure and richness to the bars. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation.
- 1 Tablespoon of ground cinnamon, divided: Cinnamon is the soul of a churro! We’ll use half in the dough for internal flavor and the other half for the iconic cinnamon-sugar topping.
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar: Essential for the classic cinnamon-sugar coating that makes churros so irresistible.
How to Make Easy No-Fry Churro Bars: Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating these delightful **churro bars from cake mix** is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of yellow or golden butter cake mix, the vegetable oil, both eggs, and half of the ground cinnamon. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together until a thick, uniform dough forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well incorporated. Don’t overmix; just combine until no dry streaks of cake mix remain.
Step 2: Press into the Pan. Lightly grease your hands with a bit of nonstick cooking spray or oil – this is a crucial tip to prevent the sticky dough from clinging to your fingers! Alternatively, you can line your 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, ensuring it covers the entire surface from edge to edge. A flat bottom glass or the back of a spoon can also help achieve a smooth, even layer.
Step 3: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining half of the ground cinnamon with the 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to create your irresistible cinnamon sugar topping. Generously sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pressed dough in the pan. Once sprinkled, gently press the cinnamon sugar down with your hands or the back of a spoon. This subtle step helps the sugar adhere better to the dough, ensuring a perfect, crisp, and flavorful topping after baking.
Step 4: Bake and Serve. Bake the churro bars in your preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 14-18 minutes. Keep an eye on them – they are done when the edges have slightly puffed up and the top looks golden brown. The center might still look slightly soft, but it will set as it cools. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool slightly in the pan before cutting them into squares. This cooling period is important to ensure they hold their shape. These churro bars can be served warm for a comforting treat or cold for a firmer, chewy texture. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Churro Bars Every Time
To ensure your churro bars turn out absolutely perfect, here are a few extra tips and tricks:
- Don’t Overmix: Once your ingredients are just combined and no dry streaks remain, stop mixing. Overmixing can lead to tough bars.
- Grease Your Hands: This step is key for easily pressing the sticky dough into the pan without frustration. A light spray of cooking oil is all you need.
- Even Layer: Ensure the dough is pressed into an even layer in the pan. This promotes even baking and consistent texture across all bars.
- Press the Cinnamon Sugar: Lightly pressing the cinnamon sugar onto the dough helps it adhere and prevents it from falling off after baking.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the baking time. The edges should be lightly golden and slightly puffed. If you bake them too long, they can become dry. The center might look slightly soft, but it will firm up as it cools.
- Cool Before Cutting: While tempting to cut into them immediately, allowing the bars to cool slightly in the pan will make them easier to slice cleanly and maintain their shape.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
These **easy churro bars** are fantastic for making ahead or storing for later enjoyment:
- Storage: Store leftover churro bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
- Reheating: If you prefer them warm, simply pop a bar into the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until heated through.
- Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently reheat.
If you love quick and easy desserts that start with cake mix and make enough for a crowd, try these recipes next!
- Cherry Almond Squares
- Tiramisu Sheet Cake
- Raspberry Cream Cheese Squares
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Churro Bars
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Ingredients
- 1 box of yellow or golden butter cake mix
- 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon of ground cinnamon (divided)
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×9 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
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Combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and half the cinnamon using an electric mixer.
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Spray your hands with a touch of nonstick baking spray to keep the dough from sticking to your hands as you work. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the baking pan.
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Combine 1/4 cup of sugar with the remaining cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the dough. Then lightly press it down into the bars with either your hands or the back of a spoon. This will help it to stick to the top of the bars better.
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Bake the churro bars at 350 degrees for 14-18 or until the edges of the bars have slightly puffed. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares. Serve warm or cold.
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