Description
Puerto Rican Quesitos are deliciously flaky puff pastries filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture, perfect as a dessert or a sweet snack. These easy-to-make treats combine buttery puff pastry with a creamy, vanilla-infused filling, baked until golden and optionally glazed for a shiny finish. Perfect for bringing a taste of Puerto Rican cuisine to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze and Finishing
- 1 tablespoon honey or corn syrup (optional, for glaze)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
- Optional: additional sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Cut the Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets on a clean surface. Cut each sheet into 4 equal squares, resulting in 8 squares total for the recipe.
- Fill the Pastries: Spoon about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each puff pastry square, distributing evenly among all squares.
- Fold and Seal: Fold one corner of the square over the cream cheese filling, then fold the opposite corner over that to create a sealed pastry. Gently press the edges to ensure the filling stays inside while baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of each pastry with the egg wash for a golden, glossy finish once baked.
- Add Sugar Topping: Sprinkle a little additional granulated sugar on top of the pastries if desired to add extra sweetness and texture.
- Bake the Quesitos: Place the filled pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
- Glaze for Shine: While the quesitos are still warm, lightly brush them with honey or corn syrup to give a beautiful glossy finish that also adds a hint of extra sweetness.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the quesitos to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Quesitos are best served fresh and warm to enjoy the crisp, flaky pastry and creamy filling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to retain crispness.
- For variety, try adding guava paste, Nutella, or fruit preserves inside the cream cheese filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesito
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
