History
The marquesita is a sweet native to the state of Yucatán: a thin crepe, pressed crisp on a grill, rolled and filled with cajeta, condensed milk, jam, chocolate or Edam cheese, the queso de bola. Wikipedia credits Leopoldo Mena, an ice-cream seller short of customers in winter, with creating it in the 1930s by pairing sweet fillings with salty Edam; the name is said to come from the daughters of a marquis who bought them. They are sold in squares, parks and streets, and in Cancún the carts at Parque de las Palapas make them to order in the evening, about 60 pesos for two in 2026.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Milk, Egg
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 150 g plain flour
- 2 eggs
- 300 ml milk
- 30 g butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 150 g Edam cheese, finely grated
- Cajeta, Nutella or condensed milk to fill
Method
- Whisk the flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, baking powder and salt into a smooth thin batter and rest it for 10 minutes.
- Heat a pizzelle iron or a heavy frying pan with a second pan to press on top, and brush lightly with butter.
- Pour in 3 tablespoons of batter, close or press, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until deep golden and crisp.
- Working fast while it is still hot and pliable, spread a line of cajeta or Nutella and a handful of grated Edam along one edge.
- Roll it up tightly into a tube and leave for 30 seconds to set crisp.
- Eat warm.
Tip from the editors. Roll the wafer within seconds of lifting it off the iron; once it cools it snaps instead of bending.
Where to eat marquesitas
Marquesitas in Cancún
Marquesitas at Parque de las Palapas ★ 4.0
Marquesitas at Parque de las Palapas: crisp rolled wafers filled with Edam cheese and cajeta, made to order at carts in downtown Cancún's main square at dusk.
OrderThe classic marquesita with Edam cheese and cajeta, rolled while you wait.
TipTwo marquesitas cost 60 pesos in 2026; each is made to order, so expect a short queue at the carts after sundown.
Marquesitas in Mérida
Marquesitas El Tony Plaza Grande ★ 4.4
Marquesitas El Tony rolls Edam-and-Nutella crepes on Plaza Grande Mérida from a portable cart, the signature Yucatán street sweet on the Sunday plaza closure.
TryMarquesitas (Edam, Nutella, cajeta)
Marquesitas Parque Hidalgo ★ 4.3
The marquesita carts on Parque Hidalgo Mérida sell queso-de-bola and cajeta crepes for 30 to 50 pesos, the Yucatán street sweet for every evening Centro walk.
TryMarquesita with Edam and cajeta
More cities are in research. Want marquesitas covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.