The Cuban chef Maykel Cook published a 22-second video featuring the recipe for guava durofrío, the iconic homemade ice cream of Cuban childhood, sparking a wave of nostalgia among the diaspora community.
"What’s up, my people? Cuban kids these days are really feeling the cold because with the power situation, nobody can make them. But today we’re going to reminisce about our childhood, so let’s get to it," Maykel begins in the clip.
The recipe stays true to tradition: guava pulp blended with water and sugar, poured into a soda can cut in half, with a wooden stick inserted before being placed in the freezer for at least six hours.
"On any corner, they used to sell these little popsicles for just one peso, made from guava, mango, chocolate, or whatever," recalls the cook, describing a dessert that for decades was the ice cream of the Cuban people.
"And the traditional ones were made like this, with a can cut in half and a stick. This was the ice cream of the Cuban child we grew up with, you know," he adds.
The video arrives at a particularly symbolic moment: on the same day, the electricity generation deficit in Cuba exceeded 1,400 MW, with a capacity of only 1,675 MW against a demand of 2,486 MW.
The blackouts in Cuba can last up to 24 continuous hours in some areas of the country, making it virtually impossible to keep frozen foods at home and turning homemade refrigeration into an unattainable luxury for those living on the island.
Creativity, however, does not give up: in November 2025, a Cuban woman in Holguín was using rice water as an alternative base to make durofríos in light of ingredient shortages.
Maykel's video is part of a broader trend among Cubans in exile who share nostalgic recipes from their childhood on TikTok. From the recipe for Cuban chiviricos to the mouthwatering capuchinos, these videos generate thousands of comments reminiscing about school snacks and childhood flavors.
Durofrío was made in flavors like coconut, mango, guava, tamarind, and chocolate, as well as with instant drinks like Toki. Its low cost—one peso—made it the quintessential accessible dessert, even during the Special Period of the 90s.
Maykel ends the video with his usual signature: "Don't forget to follow me if you like watching how a Cuban invents in the kitchen."
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