This guava cream cheese pastelitos recipe fills flaky puff pastry with sweet guava paste and a sweetened cream cheese filling, then bakes until golden and puffed. These easy guava pastries take about 40 minutes and ride 2026’s rising guava flavor trend while staying true to the classic Cuban bakery treat.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Category: Dessert, pastry
Why You’ll Love This Guava Cream Cheese Pastelitos
- Store-bought puff pastry makes these guava cream cheese pastelitos genuinely easy for a bakery-style result.
- The sweet-tart guava paste balances beautifully against the tangy cream cheese filling.
- Guava is one of the flavors experts are predicting will trend big this year.
- Great for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat with coffee.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz guava paste, sliced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
How to Make Guava Cream Cheese Pastelitos
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the puff pastry into rectangles.
- Mix the softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth.
- Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture and a slice of guava paste in the center of half the rectangles.
- Top with another pastry rectangle, sealing the edges with a fork.
- Brush with egg wash.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and puffed.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips for the Best Guava Cream Cheese Pastelitos
- Keep the puff pastry cold until you’re ready to work with it for the best rise in these guava pastelitos.
- Seal the edges firmly with a fork so the filling doesn’t leak out during baking.
- Don’t overfill each pastelito, or the pastry may not seal properly.
- Let the pastelitos cool for a few minutes before dusting with powdered sugar, so it doesn’t melt.
Variations to Try
- Use guava and cheese together, the classic combination found in Cuban bakeries.
- Swap guava paste for another fruit paste like quince if guava isn’t available.
- Brush with a light sugar glaze instead of powdered sugar for a shinier finish.
How to Store It
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find guava paste for pastelitos?
Guava paste is available at most Latin grocery stores and in the international aisle of many major supermarkets.
Can I make guava cream cheese pastelitos ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble them unbaked and refrigerate for a few hours, then bake fresh when ready to serve.
Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?
Puff pastry gives the best flaky, layered texture, but crescent roll dough can work as a quicker substitute.
What does guava paste taste like?
Guava paste is sweet and slightly tart with a floral, tropical flavor, similar to a firm fruit jelly.
Guava Cream Cheese Pastelitos
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Cut the puff pastry into rectangles.
- Step 3: Mix the cream cheese with sugar until smooth.
- Step 4: Fill half the rectangles with cream cheese and guava paste.
- Tip: Don't overfill, or the pastry may not seal properly.
- Step 5: Top with another rectangle and seal edges with a fork.
- Step 6: Brush with egg wash.
- Step 7: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and puffed.
- Step 8: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.