Cuban Pastelitos de Queso (Cream Cheese Pastries)

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.