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.

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

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)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastelitos are golden brown.

Step 10

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

Serving size	785 grams (785.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3065

Total Fat 157.70g	202%
Saturated Fat 88.70g	444%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 745mg	248%
Sodium 2443mg	106%
Total Carbohydrate 392.70g	143%
Dietary Fiber 8.20g	29%
Total Sugars 155.80g
Protein 37.60g	75%

Vitamin D 37IU	183%
Calcium 138mg	11%
Iron 16mg	87%
Potassium 470mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.2%

Protein: 4.8%

Carbs: 50.0%