Pastelitos de Guayaba (Guava and Cheese Pastries)
Flaky puff pastry squares filled with sweet guava paste and cream cheese, brushed with egg and glazed with a light syrup. The Cuban bakery favourite with a café con leche. Makes 9.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Prepare
Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper. Cut each pastry sheet into 9 equal squares (18 squares total).
- 2 sheets (about 460 g) puff pastry
✅ Done when: oven is fully preheated and squares are evenly cut
Fill
Lay 9 pastry squares on the tray. Place a slice of and a piece of cream cheese in the center of each, leaving a 1 cm (0.4 in) border uncovered, then brush the borders with about half of the beaten egg.
- 9 squares pastry squares from step 1
- 250 g (9 slices)
- 150 g (9 pieces) cream cheese
- about half the egg beaten egg
Seal
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Bake
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Glaze and serve
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Prepare
Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper. Cut each pastry sheet into 9 equal squares (18 squares total).
- 2 sheets (about 460 g) puff pastry
✅ Done when: oven is fully preheated and squares are evenly cut
Fill
Lay 9 pastry squares on the tray. Place a slice of and a piece of cream cheese in the center of each, leaving a 1 cm (0.4 in) border uncovered, then brush the borders with about half of the beaten egg.
- 9 squares pastry squares from step 1
- 250 g (9 slices)
- 150 g (9 pieces) cream cheese
- about half the egg beaten egg
Seal
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Bake
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Glaze and serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Guava grows all over Cuba, and its thick, sweet paste, pasta de guayaba, has been made on the island since colonial times. Combined with Spanish-style puff pastry, it became the classic pastelito of Cuban bakeries.
In Miami, Cuban bakeries sell pastelitos by the dozen, especially for office mornings and family gatherings, paired with strong Cuban coffee.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Flaky, buttery pastry with sweet-tart guava and creamy cheese: it's the taste of a Cuban bakery morning.
💡 Fun Fact
Guava and cheese is such a classic Cuban pairing that a slice of guava paste with a slice of white cheese is a common quick dessert on its own.
Havana, made famous in Miami
23.11°N, -82.37°W
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