Name: Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso (Guava and Cheese Pastries)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-485316H54M3S
Total time: PT-485316H54M3S
Cuisine: Latin
Ingredients: 1 8-ounce package of Cream Cheese (see notes); 1/2 teaspoons of Vanilla Extract; 1 teaspoon of Lemon Zest; 1 Egg plus 1 tablespoon of Water; 1 package of frozen Puff Pastry Dough (2 sheets of puff pastry) thawed per package directions; 5 ounces of Guava Paste cut into slices.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 11 reviews

This Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso Recipe is a beloved Cuban treat that translates into Guava and Cheese Little Pastries.

You will fall in love with these pastries! These flaky and sweet delights perfectly combine guava and tangy cream cheese wrapped in a flaky crust. In this quick and easy recipe, I will show you how to make these Latin pastries in just a few minutes by using store-bought puff pastry and guava paste. An easy shortcut to the original version. Enjoy them for breakfast on a lazy Sunday or as a delicious snack!

Pastelito-de-Guayaba-y-queso-served-on-plate-with-strawberries-and-coffee-and-flowers

A culinary exploration of Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso, from their origins to my personal obsession.

Growing up in Venezuela gifted me many privileges, one of them being the experience of tasting the ripest and smelling the sweet aromas of many tropical fruits like fresh Guayabas (guavas). They were abundant and cheap, so, that’s what we were fed regularly!! Guava trees were common in our hot Venezuelan backyards for fruit and much needed shade. But living a busy life far from the tropics in Wisconsin, U.S.A., compels you to get resourceful with store-bought guava products.

Pastelitos (name for “little pastries” in Spanish), are an indulgent treat found in Latin American Cuisines, including Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. A fusion of European baking techniques and Latin American flavors.

In Venezuela, for instance, the popular version in “Panaderias” (bakeries) is Pastelitos de Queso (like a cheese strudels) which are happily enjoyed by Venezuelans as a quick snack or breakfast treat. I personally cherish the fond memories of my young self, stopping at a bakery for a cup of coffee (Café con Leche) and a Pastelito de Queso.
Pure Latin gastronomic heaven!

What’s more, Pastelitos were always brimming with some savory or sweet filling (seasoned beef or chicken, ham & cheese, or a variety of fruit fillings). A staple in Latin American bakeries.

So, when I learned about the Cuban version of Pastelitos with Guava and cheese, my heart was set immediately for this genius combination that resembled my Venezuelan memories.

Guayaba y queso is said to be a filling combination hailing from Cuban cuisine, and that the Cuban-defining pastelitos filling is indeed guava and cheese. A variety that offers a delightful contrast of sweet and savory flavors that our Latin American palates love.

Eventually, American cream cheese made its way into Pastelitos as an acceptable alternative to Cuban queso fresco. Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso is perhaps the most common pastry in Cuban bakeries in South Florida!

Since I am not as lucky as southern Floridians to have a Cuban Panaderia around the corner, I take matters into my own hands and make my own Pastelitos at home.
And so can you!

In this easy and quick recipe, store-bought pastry dough is filled with a combination of guava paste and tangy cream cheese, whipped and lightly infused with lemon zest and vanilla for additional flavor. Then baked until golden brown, resulting in a magical combination of a sweet and savory, delicious treat.
Enjoy making this easy recipe! Your kitchen will smell so amazing!

Looking for other Latin treats with tropical flavors?

Be inspired by this Passionfruit Flan, Coconut Flan, or this Passionfruit Tiramisu. Or serve these Guava Pastelitos with my amazing Puerto Rican Turkey (Pavochón) while you sip tropical Guava Mimosas! Yum!

Jump to:

Equipment
Ingredients you will need
Tips & Substitutions
How to make this Pastelitos recipe
Storing and reheating
Top tips
Other Latin treats you may also like
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Equipment

Baking sheet or cookie sheet
Mixer
Pastry brush
Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Ingredients you will need

Only six (6) easily accessible, store-bought ingredients are needed to make this pastelitos recipe!

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Ingredients-for-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-(Guava-and-Cheese-Pastries)

Store-bought frozen PUFF PASTRY DOUGH

You can transform frozen pastry dough into impressive and delightful dishes in just minutes. And if you would like to take this recipe to the next level, I encourage you to try my favorite pastry dough from Dufour Pastry Kitchens. I learned about this brand from my beautiful/Argentinian/brilliant friend Marina, thus I am dedicating this recipe post to her! Gracias Marina! 😊

puff-pastry-dough-on-wood-board-for-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-recipe

(Note: this mention is not sponsored, I genuinely appreciate Dofour’s quality, and it deserves the shutout!).
You can certainly use Pepperidge Farm, the most commonly used and widely-available brand, or any store-brand of puff pastry dough (like Trader Joe’s) available in the grocery store’s freezer section. But Dufour Puff Pastry Dough is made with pure butter (not processed oils) and worth searching for. As highlighted in this article by Epicurious, I concur that while Dufour it’s a little spendy, you will appreciate its indulging buttery flavor and delicate flaky texture.

Where can you find Dufour's puff pastry dough? I’ve found it on Amazon, at my local specialty grocery stores, and some Whole Foods locations.

GUAVA PASTE, the star of the show!

Guava paste, known as "pasta de guayaba" in Spanish, is a sweet and dense fruit preparation made primarily from guava fruit. It’s like a concentrated essence of the ripest, juiciest guavas. It is smooth and dense yet slightly sticky.
I use the Goya Guava Paste brand because it is the one I typically find in the Hispanic/Latin aisle of the supermarket. But any brand of guava paste will work. Search for “guava paste” on Amazon and you will find various options.

guava-paste-on-wood-board-and-pretty-plate-for-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-recipe

CREAM CHEESE

Either full fat or Neufchâtel cheese (which is lower in fat) will work for this recipe. Bring the cheese to room temperature before creaming to make it easier to work with. No additional sugar is needed as the guava paste has plenty of sweetness.

VANILLA extract and LEMON ZEST for extra flavor!

EGG and a splash of water – for the egg wash.

Tips & Substitutions

Guava Jam alternative: If guava paste is unavailable, you may use guava jam as a substitute, but keep in mind it will be softer and may seep during baking.
Crescent Dough alternative: Crescent dough may be a suitable replacement if you can't find puff pastry. Keep in mind, the Pastelitos texture with crescent dough won't be the same as the original recipe!
Dulce de Leche Variation: Looking for other Pastelitos filling ideas?
For a delightful twist, replace the guava paste with dulce de leche, a rich Latin American caramel-like spread. Or just fill them with your favorite cheese for a completely-savory option.
Fruit Preserves Variations: Try filling your Pastelitos with one of my favorite homemade preserves recipes Fig Preserves and Easy Strawberry-Fig Preserves. Both make a delicious sweet filling!

How to make this Pastelitos recipe

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Thaw the puff pastry sheets per package directions (most store-bought dough takes about 20 minutes to thaw at room temperature).

Make the cream cheese mixture

cream-cheese-with-vanilla-lemon-zest-in-bowl-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-recipe

1. Combine the cream cheese, lemon zest, and vanilla extract in a small bowl.

whipped-cream-cheese-filling-forPastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-recipe

2. Beat until well incorporated using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer.
The result is a smooth but dense cream cheese mixture.

Assemble the pastries

assembling-ingredients-on-baking-sheet-for-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-recipe

3. On a lightly floured surface, unfold a sheet of puff pastry dough. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, divide the pastry sheet into a 2-by-4 grid with 8 rectangles. (alternatively, you can make a 3-by-3 grid which makes 9 small squares).
4. Place the rectangles onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little bit of space between them (about one inch or 2.5 cm) so they don’t clump.
5. Cut the guava paste into approximately 1/4-inch (about 6 mm) slices.
6. Place a dollop of cream cheese on each pastry piece and top with a slice of guava paste, leaving a 1/2-inch border (about 12 mm) around the edges to seal the pastries, and prevent the filling from seeping during baking.

filled-raw-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-on-baking-sheet-and-egg-wash-in-bowl

6. Moisten the edges of the pastry with water to help seal them.
7. Cut the second sheet of dough into a 2-by-4 grid to get 8 rectangles again. Place a piece of dough on top of each mound and press down the edges together. Seal the edges with the teeth of a fork.

8. Scoring the pastries on top (optional) will slightly decrease the puff. I scored mine to allow the hot air to release and to show the beautiful red color of the guava paste.
9. Whisk the egg with one tablespoon of water to create the egg wash, this will give the puff pastries a golden and glossy shine.
10. Brush the pastries with the whisked egg wash mixture, including the edges. This is crucial to get that beautiful golden brown color when baked.
11. Bake for 20-22 minutes at 400F (200C) or until they turn puffed and golden brown, and the edges begin to look brown. Let cool slightly (the filling will be very hot!) and serve.

freshly-baked-Pastelitos-de-Guayaba-y-Queso-on-baking-sheet

12. For an optional finishing touch, you can brush the pastries with simple syrup or sprinkle with powdered sugar or turbinado sugar. But really, they are just wonderful as is coming out of the oven!

Pastelito-de-Guayaba-served-on-plate-with-strawberries-and-coffee-and-flowers

As you take a bite of these Pasteles de Guayaba con Queso, a world of flavors and textures unfolds on your palate. The first sensation that wraps your senses is the delicate, flaky crust. Each bite crumbles ever so slightly, releasing a heavenly aroma that mingles with the sweet and savory notes of the cheese filling. So delicioso!

Serve your delightful pastries as a sweet treat with your favorite hot beverage!

And don't forget to say, Buen provecho!

Storing and reheating

Pastelitos are best eaten the same day and fresh out of the oven. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven or a toaster oven.
Leftover guava paste can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Top tips

The baking temperature is a suggestion. Since everyone’s oven is different, keep an eye on the pastries in the last 5-10 minutes of baking, as they can quickly burn if overcooked.
Rolling out the dough thin with a roller pin can flatten it, thus reducing its puffiness when baking. If you wish to reduce the puffiness so that you don’t end up with a very tall pastry, you may make a small cut on the top with a sharp knife. I score mine to allow the hot air to release and to show the beautiful red guava paste.

Did you make these Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso? Please leave a rating and let me know in the comments how they turned out. I love hearing from you!
Ratings and helpful comments help me enhance this website and can be beneficial for other readers like you! 😊 Gracias!

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