I’ve always had a soft spot for warm, cinnamon-sugar churros—and one summer, I thought: why not sandwich them around ice cream?

The result? Absolute dessert bliss. These Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches combine the crisp, golden chew of fresh churros with cold, creamy vanilla ice cream.

It’s a textural dream—hot and cold, crunchy and soft—all in one handheld bite. Whether you’re serving these at a backyard BBQ or just treating yourself, they’re guaranteed to wow.

The churro dough is piped and fried to golden perfection, then rolled in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.

Once cooled, they are filled with your favorite vanilla ice cream, creating a delicious treat that balances warm and cold textures.

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Recipe Highlights

These churro sandwiches take two iconic desserts—churros and ice cream—and fuse them into a show-stopping treat.

Instead of long churros, we pipe round, palm-sized spirals that bake or fry into the perfect sandwich “cookies.”

Rolled in cinnamon sugar and paired with slightly softened vanilla ice cream, they’re nostalgic, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to make.

Make the churros ahead and assemble just before serving for an impressive, melty masterpiece.

Highlights:

  • Hot-and-cold contrast makes them irresistible
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  • Crispy outside, soft center, creamy ice cream filling
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  • A hit with both kids and adults
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  • Make-ahead friendly
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  • Perfect for social sharing and parties

Creating the Perfect Churro Ice Cream Sandwich

The churro ice cream sandwich is a delightful combination of warm, crispy churros and creamy vanilla ice cream.

This dessert brings together the rich flavors of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar, making it a favorite for many.

To create this treat, a simple dough is prepared using eggs, all-purpose flour, and unsalted butter.

The churros are fried to a golden-brown perfection, then coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Once cooled, they are filled with smooth vanilla ice cream, resulting in a satisfying contrast of textures.

This indulgent dessert is perfect for gatherings, offering a unique twist on traditional ice cream sandwiches.

Ingredients That Make a Difference

The ingredients for churro ice cream sandwiches are straightforward yet essential for achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

Water, unsalted butter, and eggs form the base of the churro dough, while all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure.

A touch of salt enhances the overall taste, ensuring that the sweetness of the granulated sugar and the warmth of the cinnamon shine through.

Once the churros are fried and coated, the addition of vanilla ice cream creates a creamy filling that balances the crispy exterior beautifully.

  • All-Purpose Flour: The base of the churro dough; creates that signature chewy texture.
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  • Butter: Adds richness to the dough and helps it pipe smoothly.
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  • Eggs: Bind the dough and give it structure.
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  • Granulated Sugar: Used in the dough and in the cinnamon-sugar coating.
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  • Cinnamon: Key to that churro flavor—don’t skimp!
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  • Vanilla Ice Cream: A creamy contrast to the warm churros; feel free to sub with chocolate, caramel swirl, or cinnamon ice cream.

The Art of Frying Churros

Frying churros is a crucial step that requires attention to detail.

Begin by heating oil to the right temperature, ensuring that the churros cook evenly and achieve that desired golden-brown color.

Once the dough is piped into the hot oil, it should bubble and sizzle, indicating that it is frying correctly.

After frying, draining the churros on paper towels helps remove excess oil, allowing them to maintain their crispiness before being rolled in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

How to Make My Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

  1. Make the Churro Dough
    Boil water, butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir in the flour to form a thick dough. Let it cool slightly before beating in the eggs one at a time until smooth.
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  2. Pipe & Fry (or Bake)
    Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 3-inch spirals onto parchment squares. Deep-fry until golden brown or bake at 400°F until crispy.
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  3. Roll in Cinnamon Sugar
    While still warm, roll the churro rounds in a mix of cinnamon and sugar.
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  4. Assemble the Sandwiches
    Soften ice cream slightly. Scoop about ¼ cup onto the flat side of one churro round, then press another on top. Serve immediately or freeze for 20 minutes for a firmer bite.

Assembling the Sandwiches

Once the churros have cooled, the assembly process begins.

Carefully slice each churro in half lengthwise, creating a pocket for the vanilla ice cream.

Fill each half generously with ice cream, then press the two halves together gently. This step is essential to ensure that the ice cream stays in place, creating a delightful sandwich that is ready to be enjoyed.

Serving Suggestions and Presentation

Presentation plays a significant role in making this dessert appealing.

Arrange the churro ice cream sandwiches on a rustic wooden table, enhancing the warm and cozy feel of the treat.

Consider placing a few extra churros beside the sandwiches for an inviting display. Dusting the sandwiches with additional cinnamon sugar before serving adds a touch of elegance and extra flavor.

  • Serve with warm chocolate or caramel dipping sauce.
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  • Add fresh berries or crushed nuts to the filling for texture.
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  • Drizzle with dulce de leche or honey before serving for an extra wow factor.

Enjoying the Churro Ice Cream Sandwich

These churro ice cream sandwiches are not just a dessert; they are an experience.

The combination of warm churros and ice cream creates a delightful contrast that is sure to impress anyone who tries them.

Whether for a special occasion or a casual treat, these sandwiches are bound to become a favorite.

Enjoy them fresh for the best texture and flavor, and watch as they disappear quickly from the dessert table!

Tips for the Best Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches

Don’t skip letting the dough cool before adding eggs—it prevents scrambling. Pipe uniform rounds so they sandwich easily.

If frying, work in batches to maintain oil temperature. Let the churros cool to room temperature before adding ice cream, or it will melt too quickly.

Freeze briefly before serving to help them hold together better.

Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe
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Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

Recipe by JoanneCourse: DessertCuisine: Fusion / Mexican-inspiredDifficulty: Moderate
Servings

6

sandwiches
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Calories per serving

390

kcal

This recipe yields about 8 churro ice cream sandwiches, perfect for sharing. The churros are made with a simple dough that includes water, flour, eggs, and butter, and are fried until crispy. After being coated in cinnamon sugar, they are filled with smooth vanilla ice cream for a satisfying dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 large eggs

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 quart vanilla ice cream

Directions

  • Make the Dough:
  • In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and stir in the flour all at once. Stir until a smooth dough forms, about 2 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
  • Add Eggs:
  • Transfer dough to a mixing bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time until dough becomes smooth and pipeable.

  • Pipe Churros:
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly grease it. Pipe 12 churro spirals (about 3 inches wide) using a large star tip.
  • Fry Method:
  • Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Carefully drop in parchment-backed churros, paper side up. Remove the parchment with tongs after a few seconds. Fry until golden, then roll in cinnamon sugar.

    OR Bake Method:

    Bake churro rounds at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until golden. Brush with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
  • Assemble Sandwiches:
  • Let the churro rounds cool completely. Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on half of the churro spirals. Press the other half on top to form sandwiches. Freeze 20 minutes before serving, if desired.

Notes

  • Swap in chocolate or dulce de leche ice cream for a flavor twist.
  • For cleaner edges, use a round cookie cutter to trim piped churro rounds before frying or baking.
  • Want mini versions? Pipe 2-inch churros and use a melon baller for the ice cream.
  • Great for parties—make the churros ahead, freeze them, and assemble when ready.

Storage & Warming of Leftovers

  • Storage: Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 week.
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  • To Serve Later: Remove from freezer and let sit at room temp for 5 minutes before eating.
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  • To Reheat Just the Churros: Warm churro rounds in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. Do not microwave once assembled with ice cream.
Churro ice cream sandwich filled with vanilla ice cream, dusted with cinnamon sugar, on a rustic wooden table.