Vegan Quesitos – Puerto Rican Cream Cheese Pastries

Vegan Quesitos are crispy, flaky, and decadent puff pastry filled with a delicious vegan cream cheese filling.

Vegan Quesitos – Puerto Rican Cream Cheese Puff Pastries is my vegan version of the most delicious and popular pastries in Puerto Rico. You can find them around the island in bakeries, food stands, and restaurants. I grew up eating quesitos from my neighborhood bakery in the town of Bayamon. They had the best pastries in my town. After moving to the states, it was hard for me to find them here, so I learned how to bake them. They were a big hit when I ran my bakery in Kentucky. My vegan quesitos won’t disappoint you!

The regular recipe calls for cream cheese, corn syrup, and an egg wash. My vegan quesitos are;  refined sugar-free, easy to make and so delicious. Make your own puff pastry or simplify your life by buying it. Pepperidge Farm is probably your best bet when looking for a vegan puff pastry. Many store-bought puff pastries are made without dairy or egg because it makes them more shelf-stable.

Here’s a variation of this recipe but filled with homemade hazelnut spread and strawberry jam.

Let’s talk about the ingredients in my recipe:

• Cream Cheese: I replaced the regular cream cheese with a vegan brand. The flavor varies depending on the brand you use. I love using Miyokos plain cream cheese. It has a taste of coconut that complements well with the other ingredients.
• Egg Wash: The purpose of the egg wash is to give your pastries a golden color and a crispier texture. Also, it works great for sealing your pastries. I replace it using almond milk and maple syrup.
• Sugar Glaze: Instead of using corn syrup, I used maple syrup for a refined sugar-free recipe. You can use agave syrup or honey if not vegan.
• Puff Pastry: Using ready to use puff pastry is always easy. Pepperidge Farm is accidentally vegan, so it’s safe to use it. If you can’t find puff pastry at your local supermarket, you can make your own.
• Filling: You can add to your filling other flavors or ingredients like; guava paste, fruit jams, or chocolate spread.

In this tutorial, I made my own puff pastry because I couldn’t find it at my local supermarkets. https://youtu.be/a-r-p0B9VD0

 

If you give this recipe a try, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to take a picture and share it on my Facebook page or tag it #thehungrydragonfly on Instagram! I love seeing your creations!

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Make these amazing Puerto Rican recipes during your holidays:

Asopao de Gandules con Bolitas de Platanos Vegano

Sorullitos de Maiz Veganos-Puerto Rican Corn Fritters Vegan

Black Bean Empanada Puerto Rican Style

Puerto Rican Tostones  – Fried Plantains