Mexican Pastelitos
Delight your taste buds with these flaky, buttery Mexican Pastelitos, a traditional pastry bursting with the sweetness of fruit preserves like guava, pineapple, or apricot. Perfectly golden and delicately dusted with powdered sugar, these handheld treats feature a melt-in-your-mouth crust made from all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, and a hint of sugar for balance. With a short prep time of just 30 minutes and simple ingredients, this recipe is surprisingly easy yet irresistibly impressive. Whether you’re serving them as a dessert, snack, or at a festive gathering, these pastelitos are a flavorful nod to Mexican baking traditions that will leave everyone coming back for seconds.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams All-purpose flour
- 170 grams Unsalted butter
- 50 grams Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons Ice-cold water
- 150 grams Your choice of fruit preserves (e.g., guava, apricot, or pineapple)
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
Cut the unsalted butter into small cubes and add them to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the egg yolks and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it forms a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thickness. Using a round cookie cutter (about 4 inches/10 cm in diameter), cut out circles from the dough.
Place a small dollop (about 1 teaspoon) of your chosen fruit preserves in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges tightly to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative look.
Place the pastelitos on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make a small slit on top of each pastry to allow steam to escape.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastelitos are golden brown.
Remove the pastelitos from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3064 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 157.7 g | 202% | |
| Saturated Fat | 88.7 g | 444% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 745 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 2443 mg | 106% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 392.7 g | 143% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.2 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 155.8 g | ||
| Protein | 37.6 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 138 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 15.6 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 470 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
