Pastelitos de Queso y Guayaba (Guava and Cheese Pastries)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
40 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Chilling Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
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Servings
12 pastries
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Calories
309 kcal
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
Cuban, Caribbean, Puerto Rican
Pastelitos de Queso y Guayaba (Guava and Cheese Pastries)
Description
The recipe uses thawed sheets of puff pastry rolled to about ⅛-inch thickness, cut into squares, then layered with a smooth cream cheese filling blended with sugar, lemon juice, and optionally orange blossom water for floral notes. Separately, guava paste is processed with fresh orange or lime juice until smooth. A spoonful of guava is topped with cream cheese filling on each square, then folded into triangles and edges sealed tightly with an egg wash and fork tines to prevent leakage during baking.
Baked until golden, the pastries feature a flaky, buttery crust with a balance of creamy and fruity sweet fillings inside. The sugar-water glaze brushed on after baking gives a shiny, sweet finish. This combination creates a multi-textured dessert with crisp outer layers and soft, flavorful centers typical of Cuban or Latin pastries.
These pastelitos can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, best eaten the day of baking for optimal crust texture. Leftovers keep well wrapped at room temperature to preserve crispness better than refrigerated storage. Reheating briefly in an oven or toaster oven can refresh the texture and warmth before serving. These pastries also freeze well if wrapped properly, suitable for making ahead.
Ingredients
- 2 puff pastry dough thawed (from one 17.3-to18.3-ounce package, frozen, sheets
- 1 egg lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water, large, whole
Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature, or American Neufchâtel cheese
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or lime juice, fresh
- ½ teaspoon orange blossom water (optional)
Guava Filling:
- 8 ounces guava paste cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon orange juice or lime juice, fresh
Glaze:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and orange blossom water fluffy and smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl and clean the food processor to use it again.
- In the same (clean) food processor, add the guava pasta and orange or lime juice and process until smooth.
- Line 2 half sheet pans with parchment paper.
- Unroll the first sheet of pastry on a lightly floured surface. If it's thicker than ⅛-inch thick, carefully roll it out to make it ⅛-inch thick. Using a small knife or pastry wheel, cut the dough to measure out 6 squares, 4-by-4-inches each.
- Add a tablespoon of the guava mixture topped with a tablespoon of cream cheese filling, off center, to each square. Brush the egg wash around the filling, fold the pastry into a triangle, and press the edges to seal. Press the tines of a fork around the sealed edges to ensure the pastry is well-sealed. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Transfer the filled pastries to the prepared baking sheets and refrigerate until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
- While the pastries chill, preheat the oven to 400°F. Prepare the glaze by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.
- Remove the chilled pastries from the refrigerator and brush the tops of the with egg wash, then bake until lightly golden, 25 to 35 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking time to ensure even browning.
- Remove from the oven and immediately brush the pastries with the simple syrup (you likely won't use all of it). Allow the pastries to rest for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Best eaten the same day as baking to enjoy the flaky pastry at its crispest.
- Store leftovers wrapped in foil at room temperature to keep pastry from softening; plastic wrap or containers will soften the crust.
- Reheat leftover pastries briefly in an oven or toaster oven to restore crispness.
- If puff pastry yields rectangular sheets, cut six 4-inch squares instead of nine smaller squares.
- Guava paste is available in Latin food aisles or online and is shelf-stable without refrigeration.
- Recommended guava paste brands include Iberia and Predilecta, which do not contain artificial dyes.
- Adapted from The Cuban Table cookbook.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12pastries
Amount Per Serving
Calories 309 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pastry | |
| Calories | 309kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 40mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 310mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 5mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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