Pastel de Guayaba (Guava & Cream Cheese Pastry)
Pastel de Guayaba! (Guava Pastry) This simplified version of a classic Cuban treat is made with store-bought puff pastry and guava paste.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces guava paste cut into 4 x 2 x ¼ inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon sanding sugar optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven and a medium sheet pan to 425°F.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll thawed puff pastry into a 9 ½ x 12 inch rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise. Set aside 1 piece.
- Fold the second piece in half and turn so that the folded side faces you {opening away from you}. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, starting 1 inch from the edge, create slits every ½ inch or so, leaving a 1 inch border at top of pastry. {Don't cut all the way through, you want to create slits that are still attached} Unfold pastry and set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and all but 1-2 tablespoons of beaten egg. Beat until smooth.
- Transfer bottom sheet of pastry {the uncut piece} to a sheet of aluminum foil. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly down the center, leaving a 1 to 1 ½ inch border around the entire rectangle. Place sliced pieces of guava paste {or dollops of guava preserves} down the center of the cream cheese mixture.
- With a slightly wet finger, trace the edge of the pastry lightly to moisten dough. Carefully lift cut piece of pastry, and place on top. Press down lightly around the edges to seal.
- Combine remaining 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of beaten egg with about a tablespoon of water. Lightly brush pastry with egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse/sanding sugar if desired.
- Remove hot pan from the oven and carefully lift and arrange foil with pastry onto pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Notes
- Individual Pastelitos de Guayaba: Cuban pasteles are often sold in individual or even bite-sized portions called "pastelitos". To make guava pastelitos, you can simply roll out 2 sheets of puff pastry, and cut the sheets into 6 to 8 equal rectangles. Place individual portions of guava paste (and cream cheese if making pastelitos de guayaba y queso) on each rectangle of dough. Top each puff pastry rectangle with another piece of puff pastry, then seal and crimp as directed above. Using a paring knife, make a little slit to let the steam escape. Bake until the pastries are puffed and golden.
- Pastelitos de Carne (Savory Meat Pastries): Make a savory version of individual pastelitos by filling them with delicious Cuban picadillo!
Diet-Specific Substitutions
- Vegan/Dairy-free: Use plant-based egg such as JUST Egg in place of regular egg, and plant-based cream cheese if using (or omit cream cheese). Many brands of regular, store-bought puff pastry (such as Pepperidge Farm) are actually vegan -- just check the packaging!
- Gluten-Free: Some specialty or health food stores carry gluten-free puff pastry. Simply use a gluten-free puff pastry (baked to package directions) for a gluten-free version!