Sweet Guava Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting
Flaky empanadas filled with sweet guava paste, baked until golden, and finished with a dusting of cinnamon sugar for a traditional Guatemalan dessert. This latin american-inspired desserts ready in about 67 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt 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 280 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 8 oz, cut into small cubes guava paste
- 1, beaten egg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp for dusting additional granulated sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cut in 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Gradually add 1/3 cup cold water, stirring until dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut out 12 circles.
- Step 5: Place one 2/3-inch cube of guava paste in the center of each dough circle. Brush edges with beaten egg and fold dough over to form a half-moon. Press edges with a fork to seal.
- Step 6: Place empanadas on the baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg and bake for 20-22 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 7: Mix 1 tsp ground cinnamon with 2 tbsp granulated sugar. While empanadas are warm, sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the tops and let cool slightly before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Guava Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting take to make?
Total time is about 67 minutes (45 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 Sweet Guava Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting?
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 Sweet Guava Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting?
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 Sweet Guava Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Sweet Guava Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Dusting?
Latin American 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.
