Guava Cream Cheese Puffs

When it comes to bakery, we probably all have a favorite. For me, I have a few favorites. When I want a moist and tasty cake or cupcakes, I go to SusieCakes. Their cakes are very basic, but always moist. J.J. Bakery has my favorite Asian baked buns. Sausage buns, BBQ pork buns etc. They are perfect for breakfast. Last but not least, Porto’s has some of the best puff pastries in Los Angeles. Their famous Cheese Roll and Guava & Cheese Pastry are to die for! Even through there is always a long time, it is so worth the wait. Sweet flakey goodies!

Right about now, you are probably thinking about those pastries. No worries! You can make them at home, and YES, they taste just like the real ones! Today’s recipe is a copycat of Porto’s famous Guava & Cheese Pastry. They are flakey pastries filled with savory cream cheese and sweet guava paste. Ridiculous good!

When I first heard about guava, I was hesitated. I have never had fresh guava and I definitely was not interested in this weird guava paste thingy. In a friend’s party few years back, someone brought a huge box of Porto’s Guava & Cheese Pastry. They looked beautifully baked, so I shared one with Bryan. Surprisingly, they were DELICIOUS! The guava paste was a bit sweet with a hint of tartness. It felt nothing foreign and it went so well with that savory cream cheese. I ended up eating 2 pastries myself. 😛

Ever since then, I always dream about those pastries. Until a month ago, I saw guava paste in supermarket. I bought it and tried to recreate the pastries myself. It was a total success! Everyone who had it thought they tasted just like the ones in Porto’s. These puffs may seem fancy, but they are very easy to make. Frozen puff pastry is your best friend. Roll it out and cut into small rectangles. Beat the cream cheese with a little sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract. Guava paste is a bit stiff. Add lemon juice and water to the guava paste and soften it in the microwave. Then it is ready to spread. Fill the puff pastry rectangles with cream cheese filling and guava paste. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes and bake until golden brown. Leave them out to cool slightly before serving. Try to control yourself and not eat them all. I was so tempted to do that last time.

Guava Cream Cheese Puffs

6 puffs

Ingredients:

–  1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)

–  2 teaspoons sugar

–  3½ ounces guava paste (cut into thin slices)

–  1 teaspoon lemon juice

–  1 teaspoon water

–  1 egg (beaten)

Cream Cheese Filling:

–  6 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)

–  3 tablespoons sugar

–  1 egg yolk

–  ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add 3 tablespoons sugar and beat to combine. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract. Beat on medium until blended.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the guava paste slices, lemon juice, and water. Microwave for 30 seconds or until soften. Stir with a spoon and break up the guava paste until almost spreadable. Set aside.
3. Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. On a lightly floured working surface, unfold the puff pastry and roll into 12 x 12-inch square with a rolling pin. Sprinkle the pastry evenly with 2 teaspoons sugar. Roll the pastry again. Cut into 12 (4 x 3-inch) rectangles.
5. Turn over the rectangles to the other side (the side without sugar). Brush a ½-inch border around each rectangle with egg wash. Cut 3 long slits on half of the rectangles. Scoop about 1 heaping tablespoon cream cheese filling to the rectangles (without slits), and spread evenly. Scoop 1 tablespoon guava paste and drop them evenly over the cream cheese.
6. Put the rectangles with slits (sugar side up) over the filling. Press the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork. Transfer the pastries to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with the egg wash. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
7. Bake in the oven for 15 – 18 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips:

1. Guava paste can be found in Latino supermarkets or from Amazon.
2. For storage, keep the puffs in a container with a loose cover in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 300˚F oven for 12 – 15 minutes.