Quesitos are sweet, flaky pastries filled with creamy cheese and glazed with a glossy sugar syrup. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or alongside coffee, these traditional Puerto Rican treats are a breeze to make with puff pastry dough. Let’s get started!
Equipment
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Pizza or pastry cutter
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Quesitos
- 1–1¼ pounds puff pastry dough (or a 17.3-ounce package of frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into ½" x 5" batons
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Sugar Glaze
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
2. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set it aside.
Prepare the Egg Wash
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water until smooth. Set aside.
Roll and Cut the Puff Pastry
1. Lightly flour your countertop.
2. Roll the puff pastry dough into a 24" x 15" rectangle using a heavy rolling pin.
3. Cut the dough into 12 equal rectangles (approximately 4" x 7" each) using a pizza cutter.
4. Trim any uneven edges for neat shapes.
For store-bought sheets: Roll each sheet into a 14" x 12" rectangle and cut six rectangles measuring 4" x 7" each per sheet.
Assemble the Quesitos
1. Place a cream cheese baton on one end of each rectangle.
2. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of granulated sugar beside the cream cheese.
3. Brush a thin layer of egg wash along the short edges of the pastry.
4. Fold the short edges over the cream cheese to seal the ends.
5. Brush egg wash along one of the long edges of the rectangle.
6. Starting at the edge with the cream cheese, roll the dough into a cigar shape, sealing it with the egg-washed edge.
7. Rock the pastry gently to ensure the seam is sealed.
Bake the Quesitos
1. Place the assembled pastries seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
2. Brush the tops and sides with egg wash.
3. Poke small vents into the tops using a fork.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and dry to the touch.
Prepare the Sugar Glaze
1. In a small saucepan, combine the corn syrup, granulated sugar, and cold water.
2. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil.
3. Cook for 1 minute to achieve a thin syrup consistency.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Glaze and Serve
1. Allow the baked quesitos to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
2. While warm, brush 1–2 layers of the sugar glaze over the pastries.
3. Serve with a glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee.
Storage Tips
- Freshness: Enjoy quesitos within 2 days of baking.
- Storage: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Sugar Glaze Prep: Make the glaze up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat with a little hot water if it thickens.
¡Disfruta tus quesitos! 🎉
