Guava and Cream Cheese Pastelitos (Printable)

Flaky puff pastries filled with sweet guava paste and cream cheese

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 1 package puff pastry sheets, thawed (about 14 oz)

→ Filling

02 - 5.3 oz guava paste, cut into thin slices
03 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Topping

04 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash
05 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional for sprinkling

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Roll out puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 8 equal rectangles, yielding 16 total pieces.
03 - Place 8 pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
04 - On each rectangle, place one thin slice of guava paste and approximately 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese, leaving a clear border around all edges.
05 - Brush the borders of each filled rectangle with water. Place the remaining pastry rectangles on top and press edges firmly to seal.
06 - Use a fork to crimp the sealed edges. Gently score the pastry tops with a knife to create steam vents.
07 - Brush tops with beaten egg. Sprinkle with granulated sugar if desired.
08 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until pastries are golden brown and puffed.
09 - Remove from oven and allow pastries to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • They feature a classic Cuban flavor profile of sweet guava and smooth cream cheese.
  • Using puff pastry makes this an easy, 35-minute recipe for any skill level.
  • The pastries are incredibly versatile, serving as a great breakfast, snack, or dessert.
02 -
  • Dampen the edges with a little water before sealing to prevent the filling from leaking out.
  • Crimp the edges firmly with a fork for a decorative and secure seal.
  • Scoring the top with a knife is a vital step to allow steam to escape so the pastry stays crisp.
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