Guava can end up on a toasted cheesecake, hide in a giant cookie, or accompany a three milks cake. If you’re looking for ideas for dessert or a weekend snack, these six suggestions offer different ways to enjoy a flavor that is very familiar to the Cuban palate.
The selection features six recipes from , where you can find the ingredients, quantities, and step-by-step preparation with images. There are cakes for sharing, individual portion sweets, and a no-bake option for those who prefer to let the refrigerator do most of the work.
Before choosing, it's advisable to consider the total preparation times: several of these desserts require chilling or a dough that needs to rise. Preparing them the day before, when the recipe allows, helps ensure a smooth service at the table.
1. Basque cheesecake with guava
A well-toasted exterior, a creamy interior, and a thin layer of red guava: that is the combination of this version of the Basque cheesecake. The mixture of cream cheese, eggs, and cream is baked without a cookie crust or water bath, and the topping is added once the cheesecake is cold.
It is a good candidate to prepare the day before. In addition to the 40 to 50 minutes in the oven, it needs to cool and spend at least four to six hours in the refrigerator; the recipe recommends leaving it overnight. The guava spreads across the center, leaving the toasted edge visible.
2. Giant guava and cream cheese cookies
These thick New York-style cookies have a filling reminiscent of guava and cheese pastry. When you open them, you find the sweet guava and cream cheese, surrounded by a golden crust on the outside and a soft texture on the inside.
The recipe yields ten large cookies and uses firm, sliceable guava to ensure the filling maintains its consistency. It's important to set aside time to freeze the portions of cheese and to chill the filled dough balls afterwards. They make a great option for a snack with coffee, always keeping in mind those resting periods before baking.
3. Individual portions of guava tres leches
For those who enjoy spoon desserts, this treat combines a fluffy sponge cake with a mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. Guava and whipped cream complete each portion, which is served cold in its own dish.
The preparation yields nine servings and allows you to prepare the cake and the milk soak the day before. The resting time in the refrigerator should last at least six hours: this way, the cake absorbs the mixture and can be sliced without falling apart. The frosting is added when it is cool.
4. Yogurt cups with María cookies and guava, no oven required
Thick Greek yogurt, María cookies, and a guava topping are all it takes to create these little cups. The cookies are added whole or broken into pieces into the yogurt and soften during the resting period, achieving a creamy texture that is enjoyed with a spoon.
The preparation is listed as yogurt cheesecake, although this version does not contain cream cheese, eggs, or gelatin. It requires about 15 minutes of work and eight hours of refrigeration. The guava is added at the end, cold and thick, and the dessert is served in the glass without being unmolded.
5. Cinnamon and guava rolls with cream cheese glaze
Cinnamon rolls can also have a Cuban twist. In this version, the fluffy dough is rolled with cinnamon and guava paste, spread in thin sheets or small cubes. After baking, a cream cheese glaze is added, which melts as the rolls cool down slightly.
Nine large rolls are made for sharing at a snack or special breakfast. It's a preparation that requires some time: the dough needs to rise twice before baking. Following these steps ensures a soft and airy crumb.
6. Galician empanada with guava and cheese
The latest proposal combines a fermented bread dough, sealed with a twist, with a filling of guava paste and Galician tetilla cheese. It’s a Cuban-Galician fusion designed to be cut into triangles and served at the center of the table.
The dough needs to rise for 60 to 90 minutes, and the pastry is baked for about 35 to 40 minutes. After that, it is advisable to wait at least 20 minutes before cutting it. It yields between eight and ten servings, which can be served warm or at room temperature with coffee or café con leche.
What to consider before getting started
The presentation of guava varies depending on the dessert. Cookies, rolls, and empanadas use firm bars; cheesecake, small cups, and tres leches rely on spreads that can be applied. It is advisable to follow the instructions of each recipe before substituting the bar for jam or vice versa.
If you're looking for minimal preparation work, yogurt cups are a good choice, although they need a night to set. To get a head start on dessert for a family gathering, cheesecake and tres leches cake can be prepared the day before. And if you're in the mood to spend some time kneading, rolls and empanadas provide two different ways to bring guava to the oven.
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