Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies: A Sweet, Cheesecake-Filled Delight

Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

Beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Transfer the cheesecake filling to a piping bag for easy application.
Shape the Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and flatten them into circles.
Pipe a ring of cheesecake filling around the edges of each circle.
Fold the dough over the cheesecake filling to seal it, then use a small cutter to cut out the center, creating a donut shape.
Coat the Cookies:

In a shallow bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon.
Roll each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
Bake the Cookies:

Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden and set.
Serve:

Once baked, drizzle the cookies with caramel sauce if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy the delicious combination of churro and cheesecake flavors!
Serving and Storage Tips: