Homemade Brazo Gitano Guava Roll (Printable)

A light vanilla sponge rolled with sweet guava paste and topped with fluffy meringue for an elegant Puerto Rican dessert.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Sponge Cake

01 - 4 large eggs, separated
02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
03 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Filling

06 - 8 ounces guava paste
07 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Meringue Topping

08 - 3 large egg whites
09 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a large bowl, beat egg yolks with half the sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes pale and thick.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites with remaining sugar and salt, plus cream of tartar if using, until stiff peaks form.
04 - Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture, then sift in the flour and fold just until combined.
05 - Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched.
06 - While still warm, invert the cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper. Roll the cake with the towel from the short end and let cool completely.
07 - Gently melt guava paste with water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
08 - Unroll the cooled cake and spread the guava filling evenly over the entire surface.
09 - Roll up the cake tightly without the towel. Transfer to a serving platter, seam side down.
10 - Beat egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
11 - Spread or pipe the meringue over the top and sides of the rolled cake.
12 - Optional step: Torch the meringue with a kitchen torch for a golden finish, or briefly bake under a broiler, watching closely to prevent burning.
13 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It looks like restaurant-quality magic but only asks for basic ingredients you probably have on hand.
  • The combination of silky sponge, tart-sweet guava, and that cloud-soft meringue creates three perfect textures in every bite.
02 -
  • Don't skip separating the eggs with obsessive care—a single speck of yolk in your whites will keep them from reaching that tall, glossy peak stage.
  • The warm roll trick with the towel is the reason this doesn't crack like a dry log; cooling it rolled prevents that snap that ruins everything.
03 -
  • Use an offset spatula to spread the guava paste evenly—it prevents tearing the delicate cake and distributes the filling like you mean it.
  • If meringue intimidates you, powdered sugar dusted on top is beautiful, humble, and equally delicious.
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