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5.0 from 12 votes

Pastelitos de Queso y Guayaba (Guava and Cheese Pastries)

A common Latino flavor combination, guava and cheese is the perfect filling for sweet turnovers or pastries. The balance of sweet-tart guava and creamy mild cheese is truly magical!

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Chilling Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 12 pastries
Calories: 309 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Cuban , Caribbean , Puerto Rican

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry dough thawed (from one 17.3-to18.3-ounce package)
  • 1 large whole egg lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Cheese Filling:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (or American Neufchâtel cheese) at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon orange blossom water (optional)
Guava Filling:
  • 8 ounces guava paste cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange or lime juice
Glaze:
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. In the same (clean) food processor, add the guava pasta and orange or lime juice and process until smooth.
  3. Line 2 half sheet pans with parchment paper.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

  • These pastelitos de guayaba y queso are best the day they are baked. Store leftover pastries wrapped in foil at room temperature (plastic wrap and plastic containers will further soften the pastry).
  • You can freshen up leftover guava and cheese pastries by reheating them in an oven or toaster oven for a few minutes until heated through. The dough will initially soften more, but as it cools back down it will re-crisp a bit.
  • Depending on your brand of puff pastry you may either end up with a square or a rectangle. If you are able to roll it into a 12 inch square you could cut it into 9 smaller squares, but otherwise for a rectangle like the one from Trader Joe's, cut it into 6 squares each measuring about 4 inches across.
  • You can typically find guava paste in the Latin foods aisle at your supermarket, and it's also available online. It's shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration. Personally, I do not recommend the Goya brand of guava paste, as it unnecessarily contains artificial food coloring. My preferred brands are Iberia guava paste and Predilecta guava paste which are both all natural and dye-free.
  • Adapted from The Cuban Table

Nutrition Information

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12pastries

Amount Per Serving

Calories 309

% 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.