Cuban Apple Pie & Cream Cheese Pastelitos (Pastelitos de Manzana y Queso Crema)
Cuban Apple Pie & Cream Cheese Pastelitos (Pastelitos de Manzana y Queso Crema)
Ingredients
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 honeycrisp apples, large, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Pastelitos Assembly
- 1 box frozen puff pastry, containing 2 sheets, thawed according to package directions
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, beaten, for egg wash
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Simple Glaze
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced honeycrisp apples, light brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the apples are softened and fragrant. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the apple mixture and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the filling thickens. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Transfer the apple filling to a bowl and let it cool completely.
⏱️ 15 min
- 2
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for the topping. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 3
Assemble the Pastelitos: Lightly flour a clean surface and gently roll out one sheet of thawed puff pastry to about a 10x12-inch rectangle. Using a knife or pastry wheel, score the pastry into nine equal sections (three rows of three). Place about 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese in the center of each scored section.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cooled apple pie filling over the cream cheese mounds. Brush the edges of the puff pastry around the filling with the beaten egg wash.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry to the same size (10x12 inches). Carefully lay it over the first sheet, aligning the edges. Gently press down around each mound of filling to seal the two pastry sheets together and remove any air pockets. Using a knife or pastry wheel, cut along the scored lines to separate the pastelitos into nine individual squares.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Transfer the pastelitos to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of each pastelito with more egg wash. Make two to three small slits on the top of each pastelito with a knife to allow steam to escape during baking. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping over each pastelito.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Bake the pastelitos for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are puffed up, golden brown, and flaky. While the pastelitos are baking, prepare the simple glaze.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Prepare the Simple Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Once the pastelitos are out of the oven, immediately brush the warm simple glaze over their tops. This will give them a beautiful shine and an extra layer of sweetness. Serve warm or at room temperature.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cuban Apple Pie & Cream Cheese Pastelitos (Pastelitos de Manzana y Queso Crema)
Ingredients
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 honeycrisp apples, large, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Pastelitos Assembly
- 1 box frozen puff pastry, containing 2 sheets, thawed according to package directions
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, beaten, for egg wash
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Simple Glaze
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced honeycrisp apples, light brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the apples are softened and fragrant. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the apple mixture and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the filling thickens. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Transfer the apple filling to a bowl and let it cool completely.
⏱️ 15 min - 2
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for the topping. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 3
Assemble the Pastelitos: Lightly flour a clean surface and gently roll out one sheet of thawed puff pastry to about a 10x12-inch rectangle. Using a knife or pastry wheel, score the pastry into nine equal sections (three rows of three). Place about 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese in the center of each scored section.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cooled apple pie filling over the cream cheese mounds. Brush the edges of the puff pastry around the filling with the beaten egg wash.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry to the same size (10x12 inches). Carefully lay it over the first sheet, aligning the edges. Gently press down around each mound of filling to seal the two pastry sheets together and remove any air pockets. Using a knife or pastry wheel, cut along the scored lines to separate the pastelitos into nine individual squares.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Transfer the pastelitos to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of each pastelito with more egg wash. Make two to three small slits on the top of each pastelito with a knife to allow steam to escape during baking. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping over each pastelito.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Bake the pastelitos for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are puffed up, golden brown, and flaky. While the pastelitos are baking, prepare the simple glaze.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Prepare the Simple Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Once the pastelitos are out of the oven, immediately brush the warm simple glaze over their tops. This will give them a beautiful shine and an extra layer of sweetness. Serve warm or at room temperature.
⏱️ 1 min