Guava and Cream Cheese Pastelitos (Printable)

Flaky, golden puff pastry filled with sweet guava paste and cream cheese. Ready in 35 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pastry

01 - 1 package (14 oz) puff pastry sheets, thawed

→ Filling

02 - 5.3 oz guava paste, cut into thin slices
03 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Topping

04 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash
05 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional for sprinkling

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Roll out puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 8 equal rectangles for a total of 16 pieces.
03 - Place 8 pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - On each rectangle, place a thin slice of guava paste and approximately 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese, maintaining a border around the edges.
05 - Brush edges with water. Top each with a remaining pastry rectangle and press edges firmly to seal.
06 - Use a fork to crimp the sealed edges. Gently score the tops with a knife to allow steam to escape.
07 - Brush the tops with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sugar if desired.
08 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden and puffed.
09 - Allow pastries to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They taste like they took hours but come together in barely half an hour, which feels like you've pulled off something magical.
  • That contrast between buttery, shattering pastry and creamy, fruity filling is addictive—one is never enough.
  • They work for breakfast with coffee, dessert after dinner, or that vague afternoon moment when you just need something good.
02 -
  • Don't skip the water on the edges—that's what actually seals the pastries, and without it they'll come apart mid-bake and leak filling everywhere.
  • Thawed puff pastry works best, but if it starts getting warm and sticky while you're working, pop it back in the fridge for five minutes—it transforms your whole experience.
03 -
  • Keep your puff pastry cold and work quickly—it's temperamental in a good way, and respects precision.
  • The fork crimping isn't just decoration; it actually seals the edges better than you'd expect and gives you something tactile to focus on while you work.
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