Cuban Pastelitos de Queso (Cream Cheese Pastries)
Growing up, my childhood was full of pastelitos of all kinds! From pastelitos de coco to pastelitos de carne, these delicious Cuban pastries always made an appearance on Saturday mornings after a bakery run or at birthday parties in multiples of 20.
Whenever a craving hits, I can go down the street to my favorite Cuban bakery nearby but as the saying goes, nothing beats homemade. That’s why, today, I’m bringing you this easy Cuban dessert recipe so you can make them too any time!
Whether you’re thinking of arroz con leche or flan de queso, making authentic Cuban desserts at home is a great way to keep our culture alive!
What are Pastelitos de Queso?
Pastelitos de queso are Cuban pastries made with softened cream cheese wrapped in puff pastry squares with granulated sugar sprinkled on top. Others call it quesitos which translates to ”little cheese”. They are made similarly except they will be brushed with simple syrup.
Whether you call them quesitos or cheese pastelitos, they are a delicious treat you will love!
Recommended For This Recipe
Baking Sheets
I highly recommend using a nonstick, aluminum baking sheet with high heat conductivity that does not warp while in the oven.
If you want to relive your childhood birthday parties with pastelito party at home, make my Guava & Cheese Pastries (Cuban Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso)!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use softened cream cheese. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature so it’s easier to spread and so you don’t break the puff pastry sheet.
- Pastry squares. Try to cut perfect squares when cutting the puff pastry sheets. With rectangles, you risk the pastry opening up while baking. It is a PUFF pastry after all.
- Tuck and roll! If you do have rectangles instead of perfect squares, simply wrap the corner around the pastry and tuck it underneath to avoid the pastry from opening up while in the oven.
Pastelitos de Queso (Cuban Cheese Pastries/Quesitos)
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, whisked
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each pastry sheet into 9 squares (4×4) and place them on the baking sheet.
- Carefully spread one tablespoon of the softened cream cheese, diagonally, from the left corner of the square to the bottom right corner of the square.
- Brush the corners with egg wash. Bring the bottom left corner of the pastry over the cream cheese and connect to the top right corner, pressing down gently to seal. Repeat with all the pastry squares.
- Brush each pastry square with egg wash and sprinkle evenly with the granulated sugar.
- Place the pastries on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
