Guava Pastry aka Pastelitos de Guayaba – Transport yourself to the tropics with this quick and easy guava, cream cheese and puff pastry. You’ll be glad you did! It’s a heavenly treat.
I have always stayed clear from anything stuffed with cream cheese at the bakery. Would rather have it warm and fresh from my oven. But when I discovered this puff pastry at Porto s bakery (a Cuban style Bakery), all bets were off, am a tropical girl it was pretty hard to resist.
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They are addictive!!! Definitely not one for the diet but so worth the extra calories, you really won’t be disappointed with these!
And little did I know when I first tried these guava pastries years ago that they are so simple to whip up. All you need is a handful of ingredients and you are good to go.
The only ingredient on the list, which might seem daunting to most people, who are not from the tropics, is guava paste. A paste made from guava pulp (a tropical fruit) and often sugar. Super super popular in Caribbean and Spanish cuisine.
Aaaand enjoyed fresh in West African Countries. Rest assured, if you live in the city this exotic ingredient is easier to get than you think. Just check any Hispanic or International Market. You’ll also see a variety of them.
Because it is close to Valentine’s Day, I stuffed them with chocolate too. My son’s favorite! He doesn’t like cheese – only in pizza. You can do the same and even shape them into cute little hearts.
I always have store-bought puff pastry in my fridge – it’s great for entertaining; you do not even have to roll them out. It’s rolled out already. All you need to do is remove from the freezer about 45 minutes before using. They are always available at most supermarkets year round. And when they are on sale I stock up, just incase.
After making these you can freeze them for about a month, remove and bake. You might have to add an additional 5 minutes or more.
Enjoy!!!
Guava Cream Cheese Pastry
Ingredients
- Puff pastry 2 sheets
- 6-8 ounce guava paste
- 6-8 ounce cream cheese softened
- 1 Tablespoon grated lime zest optional
- 1- teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 beaten egg to glaze and seal
- 3 Tablespoon castor or granulated sugar optional
Instructions
- Remove puff pastry from freezer about 45 minutes before using.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line baking or cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside
- Place cream cheese, powdered sugar, extract, lime zest and mix using by hand until all the flavors have come together and the mixture is smooth. Set aside
- Roll out puff pastry, cut each sheet of dough into 6 (3 inch x 4 inch) pieces.
- Divide the guava paste into 12 pieces
Assembling
- Place guava paste on the center of each pastry with about a scoop of 1 1/2 Tablespoon cream cheese filling next to it; leave some room around the edges.
- Fold over press gently to seal with fingers. Carefully seal is by pressing the tines of a fork along the edges of the dough.
- Place each pastry on a baking sheet to bake or you may freeze to use later. Sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Bake at 375 for about 18-22 minutes until lightly browned.
Nutrition Information:
Sandra M Sames says
I cooked down fresh guava & froze until I purchased puff pastry. I’ll check the guava when it defrosts to see if I need to strain. The Latin pastry shops in Tampa, Fla. makes this into what looks like a strudel. Thanks for the receipt – my two Columbia cook books does not provide this just guava (cut up) & cream cheese.
Susan says
I only had phyllo dough and was out of parchment paper. Used 2 thin sheets cot into thirds. Roll up and seal and top with egg and sugar. Cooking time is less. Really good!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for the feedback.
Jennifer says
May I have the recipie for the puff pastry
imma africanbites says
Hi. I just use store-bought puff pastry as they are easier to prepare. You can find them in the frozen baking section in grocery stores.
Nlott says
When do you glaze with Egg? Before or after cooking? Directions do not say
ImmaculateBites says
I glaze before cooking .
Sharol says
Can I substitute guava jelly for the guava paste. I live in Iowa and brought the guava jelly home with me from the keys last year
imma africanbites says
I haven’t tried using guava jelly, Sharol. But I’ve read somewhere that you can use guava jelly. Please do let me know how it turns out for you. 🙂
Kylie Bryan says
How many pastries does 6 serving make?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Kylie. Updated the recipe box. I used two puff pastry sheets which yielded to a total of 12 pieces; wherein each pastry sheet is equally divided into 6.
Jean Fackler says
Recipe sounds delish. I have a question….in the directions you said to mix the cream cheese, extract, zest and sugar but you did not say what sugar and how much to put in. Could you please add that to the list of ingredients? Thank you.
ImmaculateBites says
About 1 -2 Tablespoons powder sugar. It’s optional!
Udeme says
Nice, this is super creative. I never would have thought of this combination; it looks yummy!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Udeme.
Julie @ Cooks with Cocktails says
Ooooo I am going to have to try these! Guava is hard to get in my part of the world (BC Canada) but I see it once in a while. Its a fruit that brings me back to my childhood living in Haiti. We used to have Guava all the time and the Haitian woman that cooked and cleaned for my family, Madame Telome (she was the best cook ever – and one of my favorite persons growing up) used to make fresh guava juice that was out of this world. Anyways… Do you think I could make these pastries by cooking down the guava with some sugar and kinda make my own paste? I guess more like a guava compote. Thanks for bringing back some great memories for me. I love how food does that 🙂
Danielle says
In my family we put guava jam and cream cheese on Ritz crackers because we’re lazy, but your recipe doesn’t look hard at all, and no doubt more delicious and beautiful! Love the way you flavor the cream cheese with lime zest and vanilla, too.
Claudia | Gourmet Project says
Pastelitos de guava = happy childhood! Pinning for a very soon cooking session
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for Pinning.
Elizabeth says
These sound like the perfect party food! I’ve never tried guava paste but I have to look out for it. I bet it’s amazing!
ImmaculateBites says
It sure does- I could finish it in one sitting.
Jennifer says
I love guava but never would have thought of putting them in pastry. It is such a great idea! Where do you get your guava paste from?
ImmaculateBites says
Hispanic markets, International markets and some major supermarkets depending on your location.
Mica says
This looks awesome! I’ve never had guava before. I look forward to trying this out!
Brianne @ Natural Girl Modern World says
I’m obsessed with guava! Although I’ve only had it fresh – I didn’t know you could buy paste like this. So great to know! The dessert sounds delish – thanks for sharing:D