Guava and Cream Cheese Pastelitos (Print version)

Flaky puff pastry filled with sweet guava and cream cheese. Classic Cuban pastries ready in 35 minutes.

# Required ingredients:

→ Pastry Components

01 - 1 package (approximately 14 ounces) puff pastry sheets, thawed
02 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional

→ Filling

04 - 5 ounces guava paste, sliced into thin portions
05 - 3.5 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Roll thawed puff pastry sheets on lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 8 equal rectangles, yielding 16 total pieces.
03 - Place 8 pastry rectangles on prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
04 - Distribute thin guava paste slice and approximately 1 tablespoon cream cheese onto each rectangle, maintaining ½-inch border from edges.
05 - Lightly brush pastry borders with water. Cover each filled rectangle with remaining pastry pieces. Press edges firmly to seal. Crimp edges with fork tines. Score tops with sharp knife to create steam vents.
06 - Brush pastry tops generously with beaten egg. Sprinkle with granulated sugar if desired.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until pastries achieve deep golden color and puff significantly.
08 - Allow pastries to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the crisp buttery layers and the warm gooey filling is absolutely irresistible fresh from the oven
  • These come together in under 40 minutes but taste like they came from a Cuban bakery
  • The recipe is forgiving enough for beginners but impressive enough for serving guests
02 -
  • If your pastry starts getting warm and sticky while you're working, pop the whole tray in the fridge for 10 minutes before continuing
  • The filling will be incredibly hot when they first come out of the oven, so resist the temptation to bite in immediately
03 -
  • Crimping the edges with a fork isn't just decorative, it creates a tight seal that keeps all that delicious filling inside where it belongs
  • The sugar topping is optional but I highly recommend it for that authentic bakery style crunch
Return