Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas
Crispy pastry pockets filled with sweet guava paste and creamy cheese, a beloved Puerto Rican street food treat. This puerto rican-inspired desserts ready in about 62 minutes layers guava paste, cream cheese, all-purpose flour into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 185 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup guava paste
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp water egg wash
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, pulse flour and cold butter (cut into 1/2-inch cubes) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water gradually, pulsing until the dough just comes together.
- Step 2: Form dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, soften cream cheese by microwaving for 20 seconds, then mix with guava paste until smooth.
- Step 3: Divide chilled dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 6-inch circle on a floured surface. Place 2 tbsp guava-cream cheese filling in the center of each circle.
- Step 4: Fold dough over filling to form a half-moon, then crimp edges tightly with a fork. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp sugar per empanada.
- Step 5: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-22 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas take to make?
Total time is about 62 minutes (40 min prep + 22 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas?
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 Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas?
Puerto Rican desserts 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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 22-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
