Ok, I know I’ve been doing a lot of guava lately. Guava puree, Guava Jam, Guava Cheesecake – even an awesome Guava Grilled Cheese — but if I’m honest, these Guava Cream Cheese Pastries are my favorite… The shame of it is that I didn’t use the guavas from my Mom’s tree. I know. Sacrilege.
You don’t need access to fresh guava for this… in fact, it’s better if you don’t. These 5-ingredient pastries are ridiculously easy to make — because you don’t need to cook, puree and strain the guava. Just buy a block of guava paste.
Cut the guava paste into chunks and microwave it in 10-20 second bursts to soften it until you can stir it like a very thick jelly.
Spread puff pastry squares with cream cheese.
Top the cream cheese with a dollop of guava paste.
Brush the edges of puff pastry with egg wash, then fold the pastry over the filling and seal the edges with the tines of a fork.
Brush the pastries with egg wash and sprinkle with demerara sugar.
Bake until flaky and golden. I mean this is seriously easy and such a treat! Since we’ve got a long weekend coming up, I wanted to put this on your radar early, so the ingredients are ready to go — because, let’s face it. You want this.
My taste testers literally took one bite and their eyes bugged out with muffled cries of “Oh-Ma_Gawd!” and “Freaking Delicious!” If that doesn’t prompt you to turn on the oven, I don’t know what will…
More guava recipes you’ll love:
- Tropical Guava Tangerine Fizz – A Brunch Cocktail
- Spicy Guava BBQ Sauce
- Mini Guava Ricotta Cheesecake
- Guava Limeade Summer Mocktail
- Guava Vanilla Simple Syrup
- Crispy Pancetta Guava Grilled Cheese
- Got Guavas? Make Homemade Sherbet.
- Easy Homemade Guava Jam
- Guava Banana Rum Daiquiris & The Best Blenders For Crushing Ice
Here in South Florida, guava paste is available in every grocery store and it’s cheap. $1.50 gets you a 14 ounce block.
Guava Cream Cheese Pastries
Ingredients
- 1 17 oz. package puff pastry sheets
- 1 10 ounce block guava paste
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ cup demerara sugar (can also use caster sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Transfer guava paste to a microwave safe bowl and heat in 20-30 second increments until it’s loose enough to stir. Set aside.Place the cream cheese in another bowl and stir until creamy.
- In a small bowl beat the egg and water with a fork. Set aside.
- Roll out the puff pastry to a large square and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the pastry into 9 equal squares.
- Spread a bit of cream cheese into the center of each square, leaving about 1/2″ border around the perimeter of the pastry. Top the cream cheese with a bit of guava paste.
- Dip a pastry brush into the egg wash and brush it along the rim of each pastry square. Fold the pastry over the filling and press along the edges with the tines of a fork to seal. Use a sharp knife to make 3 slits in the top of the pastry so steam can escape. Transfer the pastries to the baking sheet. Continue in this manner with each pastry.
- Brush the pastries with the rest of the egg wash and sprinkle the tops with demerara sugar. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip the baking sheet 180° and continue to bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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I love guava cheese pastries and so do all of my customers. I add lemon zest and a little powder sugar to the cream cheese. Delicious!
Made these today,,they were Great! Just assuming , the extras need to be refrigerated or frozen, having the cheese in them, right? Thanks for letting me know,,I will Definitely make these again!
Yes, you’ll want to refrigerate or freeze them. To reheat, thaw to room temp and heat for 10-15 minutes in a 300° oven.
These are so good and fun to make! Thank you for sharing!
Can u use lilikoi butter instead of guava
I’m unfamiliar with the texture of lilikoi butter, but assuming it’s the same as a jam or curd, it may melt more than a traditional guava paste. Guava paste comes in blocks and is solid. That said, if you don’t mind a little seepage, I think it would taste good. Let me know if you do.
I love how you didn’t admit it’s not your idea until the comments. Sort of like how you make a bunch of other ethnic dishes yours on this blog! Maybe you could take a moment and recognize the communities these recipes come from, as I’m sure your readers have little to no idea they’re Cuban (or other latino community) staples!
Thank you for your Cuban recipe.
I just made these. Delicious but could be a little sweeter. I did add about a teaspoon of sugar to the softened cream cheese but next time will increase this amount and also add some to the guava paste.
Drool city, population me. These look seriously incredible! Cannot wait to try them!
I have GOT to run out and get some guava paste! These pastries look so delicious! Mmmmm. Awesome photos!
Thanks, Elaine! They’re really simple to put together.
Oh my! Guava cheese pastries are sooooo good! I have never made them myself though. I guess now I have to!
I never work with guava – what an interesting combination! Sounds divine. 😀
I confess – I didn’t come up with this — it’s a very popular Cuban pastry — and since I live in South Florida — there are tons of Cuban bakeries around… but they’re easy enough to make at home.
I love super-simple desserts like this that are really easy to make but sound fancy and look like something you’d pick up from a bakery! I’ve never tried any kind of guava before, but I’ve definitely seen guava paste on sale in my local supermarket. I’m so going to have to get some!!
Oh my word that is delicious!!! I had no idea we could buy guava paste – this has definitely got to be an easy thing to put together when surprise guests (or cravings) come knocking!