Churro Cupcakes

3 cups cake flour

2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

11 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons good vanilla extract

1 and 1/4 cups milk

1 can (14.1 ounces)  store-bought Dulce de Leche

Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon good vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 cups powdered sugar

For the tortillas

Two or three 8-inch flour tortillas, cut longitudinally into 1/2-inch wide strips

Canola oil, for frying

1 cup mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar, mixed to your liking of desired sweetness

 1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line your muffin tin with liners. In a large bowl, mix together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 

2.In a mixing bowl mix the butter, cinnamon, and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla, mixing well. Reduce the mixer to low speed and add one-third of the flour mixture. Add one-half of the milk, then alternate with another one-third of the flour mixture. Add the remaining milk, and then add the last one-third of the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

3. Divide the mixture evenly among your prepared pan, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool to room temperature before filling and frosting.

4.In the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment, mix the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and cinnamon until well combined. Reduce the mixer to low speed, and gradually add the powdered sugar until mixed. (Feel free to add more for a thicker consistency.)

5.In a deep frying pan, heat the oil (about 3/4-inch in depth) on medium heat until very hot.  Fry only a few of the tortilla strips at a time, turning them with tongs until lightly browned on both sides (about 5-10 seconds on each side). Place the strips on paper towel, and, while they are still warm, place in the cinnamon-sugar combination. Repeat with the remaining tortilla strips.

6.Using a small mellon baller, a knife, or an apple corer, gently cut a cone-shaped portion of cake out of the center of each cupcake from the top. Using a spoon, fill each cupcake with your desired amount of Dulce de Leche. Pipe the frosting over the tops of each cupcake and top with fried tortilla strips.