Pastelitos De Guayaba

I once made guava cheese puffs and told my mother that they are called Pastelitos de Guayaba. She was confused because, for anyone not familiar with Latin, this term is new.

I explained to her that these were guava cheese puffs, and I had just shared the name in Latin. These pastries came out so well that my mom requests that I prepare them once more.

.Only four simple ingredients are needed to make this recipe, which can be handled easily by anyone. The recipe works even without baking skills since anyone can attempt it. The pre-baked puff pastry requires basic time measurement along with warming up in the oven. I will present thorough instructions together with detailed procedures during the following steps.

Pastelitos De Guayaba: Complete Overview

In Cuba Pastelitos de Guayaba present itself as a delicate pastry combination of dough with guava paste and cream cheese. The pastries exist in two components: light dough and a sugary filling made from guava paste and cream cheese. Puff pastries are regular features in Cuban bakeries where people eat them as sweet evening delights or breakfast goods.

What Are The Ingredients Of Pastelitos de Guayaba?

• 2 sheets frozen Puff Pastry
• 6 oz. cream cheese
• 8 oz. guava paste
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon water

How To Make Pastelitos de Guayaba (Guava Cheese Puffs)

Preheat the Oven

• Turn the oven on to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. Pastries take a long time to bake, so I save a lot of time by preheating the oven.

Prepare the Puff Pastry

• Remove your puff pastry sheets from the freezer and keep them at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. They should be defrosted but remain firm enough to chew. This will make it easier to work with them during the rollout because they will all be in one place.

Roll Out the Pastry

• When the puff pastry is done, roll it out equally on the flat surface. Then, with the help of a rolling pin, roll it larger, making the shape like a rectangle. This will help to create enough space for your fillings.

Prepare The Guava Paste & Cream Cheese

• It is time to cut the guava paste and cream cheese into preferred sizes and shapes. Divide the guava paste into nine equal pieces, and do the same with the cream cheese, cutting it in proportions that would fit the guava paste.

Assemble Puffs

• Once the puff pastry is ready, carefully arrange 9 pieces of guava paste.  Make sure there is the same distance between each piece for even baking. Spread each piece with guava paste, & then top with slices of cream cheese. This will help balance the flavors.

Use the Egg Wash

• Put the egg yolk & water in a small bowl to make an egg wash. Take a brush and gently apply this mixture around the edges of the guava paste on your pastry, but avoid putting it directly on top. It helps to create a good seal when you place another layer of puff pastry on top.

Add the Puff Pastry Second Layer

• Next, roll out a second sheet of puff pastry to match the size of the first one. Carefully lay this second sheet over the filling you prepared. Press down gently around the edges to help the two layers stick together. 

Bake The Pasties

After completing the preceding steps we need to perform the baking process which requires you to monitor your time precisely. The first step involves setting the baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Regular consumers inquire about cake or pastry troubles with pans and I advise they use parchment paper to address the issue. Use cooking spray or butter or oil to grease the sides when preparing a cake with a pan. You will not experience this problem according to my professional experience.

The remaining egg wash should be used for brushing the pastries to obtain an attractive golden surface. The pastries need to be placed inside a preheated oven for 15–17 minutes after which follows the egg wash application to the pastries.

If they haven’t baked by then, keep waiting until they become golden brown or fluffy, but keep an eye on them; otherwise, they might overbake.

Cool Them & Enjoy

• After you take the pastelitos out of the oven, place them on a cooling rack for a few minutes. It helps keep them from getting soggy. They are prepared for consumption once they have cooled sufficiently for you to handle.

What I Like The Most About This Recipe?

Some key features make Pastelitos de Guayaba unique. This recipe is very famous due to its flaky texture and sweet flavour. Different names in various places know it, but it is tried everywhere.

Additionally, you don’t need to be an expert baker; even those with normal skill levels, including beginners, can easily prepare it using pre-made puff pastry. This pastry is trendy in areas with large Latin communities, like Miami. 

Guava Cheese Puffs Serving Suggestions

Although both are delicious, you can serve them warm or at ambient temperature. These go great with a cup of coffee or as a brunch meal. These pastries capture the flavours of guava and cream cheese and present Cuban food culture in a more suitable way. 

No matter if they are prepared for a celebration or just for fun, everyone will admire them!

Why Thawing Puff Pastry Is Important

The correct method to thaw frozen puff pastry is essential. The pastry obtains its celebrated light and flaky texture through the relaxation process that occurs when you let the layers rest.

Freezing puff pastry before formation and rolling will produce cracking that prevents proper expansion during the baking process.Being patient enough to thawing it properly will guarantee your pastries to be great.

How to Thaw Puff Pastry

1. Plan Ahead

Before using, remove the puff pastry from the freezer and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight for optimal results. The slow thawing method facilitates handling and preserves the texture of the pastry.

2. Room Temperature Thawing:

You can leave puff pastry on the counter to thaw if you are pressed for time. Just keep the package sealed and let it sit for about 30 minutes. It’s a fast and simple way to prepare the pastry, making it soft and easy to handle without getting too warm.

3. Avoid Over-Thawing

Make sure to leave the puff pastry at room temperature briefly. Overheating may cause it to become sticky. If so, chill it in the refrigerator for a few minutes so it cools down and becomes manageable once more.

Related FAQs

Can I make vegan Pastelitos de Guayaya?

The recipe succeeds using vegan puff pastry dough with an alternative to dairy cream cheese such as vegan cream cheese.

What method should I use to achieve a golden brown appearance on my pastry products?

The application of egg wash using egg and water will help achieve the desired brown coloration of your pastries during baking.

Try It Once

Parts of Pastelitos de Guayaba represent an effortless method to prepare and eat delightful Cuban Guava and Cheese Pastries.

You require only three essential ingredients, which combine guava paste with cream cheese and puff pastry sheets.

 You can prepare them using only guava or mix in cream cheese for a creamy taste. To get them golden and crispy, brush a bit of egg wash on top and add some sugar sprinkles before baking.

After taking them out of the oven, you can enjoy the yummy taste of Cuban sweets.