Criolla Pastel de Guayaba

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A sweet and tangy Puerto Rican cake made with guava paste and condensed milk, baked to golden perfection. This puerto rican-inspired mexican ready in about 45 minutes pairs guava paste, sweetened condensed milk, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.1 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 8 Puerto Rican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup guava paste, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 beaten eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract; mix until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Criolla Pastel de Guayaba take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Criolla Pastel de Guayaba?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep guava paste from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Criolla Pastel de Guayaba?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Criolla Pastel de Guayaba for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Criolla Pastel de Guayaba?

Puerto Rican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes