This Sopapilla Cheesecake is a mouthwatering fusion of two favorites: the soft, sweet, and buttery sopapilla with a rich, creamy cheesecake filling. With layers of flaky puff pastry, a luscious cheesecake center, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, this dessert is perfect for any occasion. It’s an easy-to-make treat that’s sure to impress everyone who takes a bite!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 3/4 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of fine sea salt

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of fine sea salt

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

For the Crust:

• 1 package puff pastry, thawed (or 2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls as an alternative)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
   In a stand mixer or using a handheld mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Set aside.

3. Assemble the Cheesecake:

   • Roll out the first sheet of puff pastry to fit your baking dish and line the bottom.

   • Spread the cream cheese filling evenly on top of the pastry.

   • Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top, sealing the edges.

   • In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping. Drizzle the melted butter over the pastry, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.

4. Bake the Cheesecake:
   Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up. Let it cool for 1-2 hours before slicing.

5. Serve:
   Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles and serve. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle honey on top before serving.

Nutrients (approximate per serving, 12 servings total)

• Calories: 431

• Carbohydrates: 39g

  • Sugar: 21g

• Fat: 29g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

• Protein: 3g

• Cholesterol: 49mg

• Sodium: 109mg

• Potassium: 29mg

• Vitamin A: 430 IU

• Calcium: 13mg

• Iron: 1.1mg

This Sopapilla Cheesecake brings together the best of both worlds: the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the flaky, buttery charm of sopapillas. Perfect for a sweet treat at any gathering! Let me know if you need more details or variations!

The Cheesecake Filling: Creamy and Lush

The cheesecake filling is the heart of this dessert, providing the smooth, creamy texture that complements the buttery, flaky pastry. Made with cream cheese, butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, the filling is rich and indulgent. The combination of cream cheese and butter creates a velvety texture, while the vanilla and cinnamon add a warm, aromatic sweetness. This filling is light yet decadent, making the perfect contrast to the crispy, golden puff pastry layers.

The Puff Pastry Crust: Flaky and Buttery

The puff pastry serves as the perfect base and topping for this dessert, offering a crispy, golden-brown exterior that contrasts beautifully with the creamy cheesecake filling. The layers of puff pastry puff up as they bake, creating a light, flaky crust with just the right amount of crunch. The pastry also absorbs some of the rich butter and cinnamon-sugar topping, giving each bite an extra layer of flavor and texture. The use of puff pastry makes the dessert easy to prepare, offering a shortcut to the flaky, buttery texture of a traditional sopapilla.

Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: Sweet and Warm

No sopapilla is complete without a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and this Sopapilla Cheesecake is no exception. The topping adds a sweet, aromatic crunch to the pastry, enhancing the warmth and spice of the cinnamon in the filling. The mixture of granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt is drizzled over the melted butter, ensuring that every bite of the pastry has a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. The topping not only enhances the flavor but also gives the cheesecake a beautiful, golden-brown finish.

How to Make Sopapilla Cheesecake

Making Sopapilla Cheesecake is simple and straightforward. Here’s how to put this delicious dessert together:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a stand mixer or using a handheld mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Set aside.

3. Assemble the Cheesecake: Roll out the first sheet of puff pastry to fit the bottom of the baking dish. Place the pastry in the dish, then spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the pastry. Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top, sealing the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out.

4. Add the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping. Drizzle the melted butter over the pastry, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.

5. Bake the Cheesecake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up. The filling should be set and slightly firm. Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake cool for 1-2 hours before slicing.

6. Serve: Once cooled, cut the cheesecake into squares or rectangles. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle honey over the top before serving.

Nutritional Benefits of Sopapilla Cheesecake

Each serving of Sopapilla Cheesecake contains approximately 431 calories, making it a rich and indulgent treat. The dessert offers 39 grams of carbohydrates, including 21 grams of sugar, which comes primarily from the cream cheese filling and the cinnamon-sugar topping. It also contains 29 grams of fat, with 12 grams of saturated fat coming from the butter and cream cheese, contributing to the richness and creaminess of the dessert. Additionally, each serving provides 3 grams of protein, which helps balance out the sweetness of the treat. The cheesecake is also a source of Vitamin A (430 IU), which is essential for healthy vision and immune function, as well as calcium and iron, supporting bone and blood health.

Serving Suggestions

Sopapilla Cheesecake is delightful on its own, but it can be served with various accompaniments to make it even more indulgent:

• With Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm, cinnamon-sugar topping, creating a creamy contrast to the flaky pastry.

• Drizzle of Honey: For an extra burst of sweetness, drizzle honey over the top of the cheesecake just before serving. This adds a rich, floral sweetness that complements the cinnamon sugar.

• Whipped Cream: Lightly sweetened whipped cream can be added for a fluffy texture that balances the richness of the cheesecake.

• Fresh Fruit: Serve with fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries, for a pop of color and a refreshing contrast to the warm, rich flavors of the cheesecake.

Conclusion

Sopapilla Cheesecake is a delicious, easy-to-make fusion dessert that combines the best elements of a classic sopapilla and a rich cheesecake. With its buttery, flaky puff pastry, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet cinnamon-sugar topping, it’s a dessert that’s sure to become a favorite for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, a holiday celebration, or simply as a sweet treat for yourself, this dessert is guaranteed to impress with its flavor and presentation. With a drizzle of honey or a scoop of ice cream, Sopapilla Cheesecake is the perfect way to indulge and enjoy the comfort of two classic treats in one!