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Pastelitos de Queso y Guayaba Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 144 reviews

Pastelitos de Queso y Guayaba are delightful Latin-inspired pastries made with flaky puff pastry filled with smooth cream cheese and sweet guava paste. These hand-held treats combine a luscious, creamy filling with the fruity sweetness of guava, baked to golden perfection and finished with a light sugar glaze for a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry and Filling

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry dough (thawed, from one 17.3-to 18.3-ounce package)
  • 1 large whole egg (lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
  • 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)
  • 8 ounces guava paste (cut into chunks)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange or lime juice

Simple Syrup Glaze

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, fresh lemon or lime juice, and optional orange blossom water. Process until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. Transfer to a bowl and clean the food processor for the next step.
  2. Make Guava Filling: Using the clean food processor, add the guava paste chunks and fresh orange or lime juice. Process until the guava mixture is smooth and spreadable.
  3. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two half sheet pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking during baking.
  4. Prepare Puff Pastry: Unroll one sheet of thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. If the pastry is thicker than ⅛ inch, gently roll it out to that thickness. Use a small knife or pastry wheel to cut the dough into six 4-by-4-inch squares.
  5. Assemble Pastelitos: Add about one tablespoon of the guava filling to each square, placing it off-center. Top with an equal amount of the cream cheese filling. Brush the edges of each square with egg wash, then fold the dough into a triangle over the filling to enclose it. Press the edges firmly together and seal by crimping with the tines of a fork. Repeat for all squares. Transfer filled pastries to the prepared baking sheets and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes until firm.
  6. Preheat Oven and Make Glaze: While the pastries chill, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water. Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
  7. Bake the Pastries: Remove pastries from the fridge and brush the tops with the remaining egg wash. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the pastries turn lightly golden. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking for even browning.
  8. Glaze and Cool: Upon removal from the oven, immediately brush the warm pastries with the cooled simple syrup glaze. Allow the pastries to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed but still cold for easier handling and better puff.
  • The orange blossom water is optional but adds an aromatic floral note typical in Latin pastries.
  • The simple syrup glaze adds a shiny finish and a touch of sweetness but can be omitted if a less sweet pastry is preferred.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute the cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative.
  • Ensure to seal edges well to prevent filling leakage during baking.
  • These pastelitos can be made ahead and frozen before baking; bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Keywords: Pastelitos, Guava and Cheese Pastry, Puff Pastry Dessert, Latin American Recipe, Sweet Pastries

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/pastelitos-de-queso-y-guayaba-recipe/