Growing up, my childhood was full of pastelitos of all kinds!

From pastelitos de guayaba to pastelitos de carne, these 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 but as the saying goes, nothing beats homemade.

That’s why, today, I’m bringing you this pastelitos de queso recipe so you can make them too any time!

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!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Puff pastry sheets. I’m pretty sure you can make homemade puff pastry for these pastelitos but I love me some shortcuts. I buy store-bought puff pastry sheets and cut them into squares. You can do the same!

• Cream cheese. Make sure it is softened so it’s easier to spread.

• Egg. All you need is one for sealing and the egg wash.

• Granulated sugar. For sprinkling on top and for some added crunch.

Step-By-Step Instructions

• Thaw the pastry sheets. First, you have to thaw the puff pastry according to package directions, usually about 20-30 minutes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

• Cut the pastry sheets. 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.

• Fill the pastry circles. 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.

• Seal the pastries. Brush the corners with egg wash. Bring the bottom left corner of the pastry over the cream cheese and connect it to the top right corner, pressing down gently to seal. Repeat with all the pastry squares.

• Bake the pastelitos! 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.

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.