Popular Guayaba Cheese Empanadas
Flaky, golden pastries filled with sweet guava paste and creamy cheese—a beloved Puerto Rican dessert snack with a perfect balance of tang and sweetness. This puerto rican-inspired desserts ready in about 57 minutes layers guava paste, softened cream cheese, granulated sugar 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 215 calories and feeds 8, 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 cup guava paste
- 1/2 cup, softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp ice water
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix guava paste, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth and fully combined, creating a spreadable filling.
- Step 2: In a food processor, pulse 2 cups flour, salt, and cold butter until pea-sized crumbs form. Add egg yolk and ice water, then pulse until dough clumps together.
- Step 3: Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 30 minutes. On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 8 circles (4-inch diameter) using a glass.
- Step 4: Place 1 tbsp filling in the center of each circle, fold dough over to form half-moons, and crimp edges firmly with a fork to seal.
- Step 5: Whisk egg with milk for egg wash. Brush empanadas with egg wash and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 22 minutes until deep golden and crisp.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular Guayaba Cheese Empanadas take to make?
Total time is about 57 minutes (35 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 Popular Guayaba 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 Popular Guayaba 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 Popular Guayaba Cheese Empanadas 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 Popular Guayaba 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
