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!
Vegan Quesitos - Puerto Rican Vegan Cream Cheese Pastries
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- pastry brush
- pasta or pizza cutter
- baking tray
Ingredients
Vegan Egg Wash
- 2 tbsp almond milk unsweetened
- 1 tbsp agave syrup
Vegan Quesitos
- 1- 1 1/4 pound puff pastry dough or 17.3 ounce package of frozen and thawed puff pastry sheets
- 8 oz vegan cream cheese
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or more to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tbsp granulated monk fruit blend
Sugar Glaze
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2-3 tbsp granulated monk fruit blend
Instructions
Egg Wash
- Stir milk and maple syrup together. Set aside.
Quesitos
- Preheat an oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl mix cream cheese, vanilla, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Folding until is well combined. Taste the mixture and add more sweetener if desire. Set aside.
- Roll and cut your puff pastry dough. See recipe notes**
- Add about 1 - 1/2 tablespoon of filling. Brush the edges of the pastry and fold. See video for reference on how to fold it.
- Fold the ends over the cream cheese to encapsulate it in the dough. Brush a little more vegan egg wash over the long edge opposite the side where the cream cheese is.
- Fold the open side on top of the opposite side and brush more vegan egg wash to seal the pastry. You can fold it like a cigar or like I did in the video.
- Transfer the quesitos to the sheet pan and brush the tops and sides of each quesito with a thin layer of vegan egg wash. Sprinkle granulated sugar over quesitos.
- Bake the quesitos in your preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden, not glossy. Let them cool for about 10 minutes before brushing.
Sugar Glaze
- Brush maple syrup over baked pastries and sprinkle more sugar on top.
- Enjoy!
Notes
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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
Oh my goodness I am craving this big time all of a sudden. Cream cheese pastries are delightful and I have no doubt this Puerto Rican take will be my next favorite!
Thank you so much! So glad you like it.