Guava and Cream Cheese

PUBLISHED ON: 05.20.2010

I grew-up in South Florida and often enjoyed Cuban pastries that were filled with guava and cream cheese.  These pastries were readily available from food carts in downtown Miami, walk-up cafeterias or in a variety of local Latin bakeries speckled all over Miami.  Living in Tallahassee these pastries are not readily available, and I have adapted a new way to enjoy the flavors of guava and cream cheese.

I don’t know how many of my visitors to my blog are familiar with guava paste.  This fruit paste is made from the pulp of the tropical fruit guava, and is best described as sweet, with the texture of fruit leather.  Guava is easily found in the ethnic section of most supermarkets.  If you are not familiar with guava paste, don’t shy away from trying, it is inexpensive, versatile and you can add it to your list of new foods that you enjoy.

This is a quick and easy appetizer that highlights the flavor combination of guava coupled with cream cheese, served on galletas (Cuban water crackers, also easily found in the ethnic section of your local supermarket) is a great way to serve up something a little different for yourself or friends.

Guava and Cream Cheese served on Cuban Water Crackers

Ingredients:
1 pound guava paste, cut into squares
1 pound block cream cheese, cut into squares
1 bag of gallestas (Cuban water crackers)
Directions:
Place the cream cheese on a cracker, top with a guava square.

Enjoy!

  • I just saw these in the pic on Chef E's blog…or either something that looks very similar…I love guava…these look pretty simple…I'll have to try them.

  • I use guava paste all the time. I have it in a couple of my posts, and even used the Cuban crackers. I sent it to a few blogger friends who have never heard of it.(even my sister in Michigan) I love using the cream cheese and guava paste with puff pastry. I'll post that one soon. I discovered that when I was making a bread pudding for a co-worker's birthday from and old Cuban recipe using crackers. This one was way easier.

  • These are definitely a great cocktail party snack!

  • mmmmm, these are so simple…but I know they're delish. I like guava paste…almost as much as tamarindo paste! YUM 😀

  • I love the simplicity – cream cheese and guava -is waking up my taste puds.Now, to see if I can actually find the paste…

  • I love this flavor combination – you know what I do – I use these two ingredients inside some puff pastry and et voila you have guava cheese puffs!

  • quince paste is more popular here, often served the same way. I haven't seen this around here.

  • These look delicious…I'm not familiar with the guava paste, but would love to try it!

  • Guava paste! Great, Lyndsey going to send me some too. But at the time being, I think I have to drool over this. hehe…. Hope you'll have a wonderful day!Cheers, Kristy

  • I am very intrigued by the guava paste! I wish I could get some here in HK!

  • So Simple? We can't get guava paste here 🙂

  • Hey Velva, Love the nice topping for the crackers.I have seen the Guava Paste in the International Aisles in the Super Market. Now I know what to do with it. 🙂

  • Ms. Velva, here in MS we're kinda behind times on all the great foodie items available out in the big world. Just now getting ethnic/international food isles in a couple of the bigger grocery stores.We're off to New Orleans on Sunday, will look for these items when I go grocery surfing. That's what I usually do when hubby is working on one of the houses down there.My dingy sister lives in St. Pete. Don't worry, she knows I call her that.

  • I like this approach to an appetizer!

  • Hey, Velva….hold on a sec. You ready? I'm Puerto Rican and grew up with my mom eating guava desserts but I didn't. I thought I didn't like it….turns out I was totally WRONG! I had a guava and cream cheese pastry for the first time on Monday and am kicking myself for all the years I passed it up. ~ingrid

  • Velva, this looks and sounds delicious–and different in my \”neck of the woods\”. We have many Mexican markets around town so I'm sure that I can find guava paste. Best,Bonnie

  • Hy Velva,Yumm! what a delicious recipe…! very impressed with your cute click dear.Do drop in at my blog sometime.

  • Velva – just read Chef E's post of the fantastic party you threw when they visited. I'm convinced you're the hostess with the mostess. Guava paste looks very similar to quince paste, and if it's anywhere nearly as good (as I would imagine) I'll be all over it! Great combo!

  • Super easy yet super flavorful. Love this flavor combo, especially in pastries.

  • My childhood on a plate. Great job!Cheers!

  • I love the guava and cheese combo! I was introduced to it in Brazil where the flavor is typically called Romeu et Julieta – pizza, pastry, ice cream, candy. You can find it in just about everything! It is usually with a hard cheese like mozz or queijo fresco, but sometimes found with cremoso, kind of like a cream cheese without the tang. So a little different I guess. I just found some guava paste at a Mexican store in my hometown in Indiana. The first place I've found it since we've been back!

  • I brought some guava paste back from Barbados and planned on rolling it in pastry to make tarts :-). I like this

  • Hey Velva, now I know you're in Florida! This is all around us, and it is so good!Did you know Florida used to produce a lot of guava till there were freezes in the early 80's. Now it all comes from The Dominican Republic and such…

  • I've always wanted to try guava paste. These sound like some tasty appetizers. I think there is a cheese shop in the city the sells it, or so I've heard! I'd definitely like to try these.

  • oh wow love this and so simple to make you must miss these in Miami

  • I love this – definitely something different for us Northerners! I'll have to look for the guava paste.

  • These look delicious ♥

  • You know I am glad you posted this, oh and I might have spoiled the other dish I wrote about, sorry!I could not remember what the topping was, so I did not say anything about it! We thought they were delish Velva! Yes, Bo did see them…

  • That looks easy enough I might just have to try it! I'm wondering if I can get the kids to try it…maybe if I tell them it is sweet! That always works. Thanks for great idea!

  • I'm eager to try this, Velva! I've heard of guava paste but didn't have a clue what to do with it. Now I know. 🙂 Thank you!!

  • It looks like these little treats completely capture the flavor of the pastries you described. They sound delicious!

  • mmm, you've just convinced me all the more to visit florida!

  • Never had guava paste nor heard of it until now! We always enjoyed our guava fruits when they are still crunchy… our specie is green in color. Looks good:)

  • that looks great Velva…and I just happen to have a can of guava paste in my pantry! I don't know where to get those crackers though.

  • I also have a can of guava paste that was given to me in a hostess basket but I never knew how to use it. Thank you for sharing this – I can't wait to try it!Susan

  • I LOVE guava!!! When I visit Uruguay, I buy guavas from Brazil – I can eat one pound all by myslef. And I make guava paste, guava, jam, guava juice .. guava everything. Have to try this recipe!

  • So simple and sooo delicious!Ill be over at 8!!!!

  • Mmmm… Looks so simple yet delicious!! Yum!

  • When we lived in the Bahamas, the Bahamians used guava jelly in everything, but unfortunately I never tried it. I'll be on he lookout for the guava paste when we're in Florida next. Our neighbors are from Miami and it would be fun to surprise them with these at our next dinner party. Thanks for this recipe Velva.Sam

  • I have never tried guava, but I love anything with cheese and fruit. What a wonderful appetizer. Thanks for sharing it. I love that is simple. Simple and delicious..just what I am looking for!

  • I've never tried guava paste but at least I now know I don't use it to brush my teeth, lol.Great looking appetizer and very unique.

  • Love guava!!! Used to drink guava juice all the time when I lived in Hawaii. I've seen the guava paste…they may even have it at my Publix. Thanks for sharing this great idea!!

  • This is such a great looking appetizer. I've never used guava paste. I'll have to look for it. Yum!

  • hi velva i love the combination of guava and cheese bravo !! Pierre in a sunny Paris

  • Gurllllllllll!!! La Diva LOVES guava pastelitos and I hate to tell you this, dear Velva, but they sell them in the convenience store right here in my building. DANGEROUS. I think I'll head to the grocery store, get some paste, cream cheese and puff pastry and attempt a quick pastelito before hubby gets up! YUM!!! Thanks for the ideas…I love this.

  • what a gorgeous little appetiser. I don't think you can get guava squares in the UK, but we do have membrillo (I think its made of quince), I'm thinking it might be a similar effect.Have a fab weekend.*kisses* HH

  • Waw!!! What tasty & stylish appetizers, dear Velva!!MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,….!!!!! Are there any leftovers??

  • When I was in Cuba, I got to try so many kinds of fruit that I've never seen before or since… I don't even know the names of them. Guava, on the other hand, I do know 🙂

  • Yep, being a Northern, I've never used guave paste. I am going to give it a go though for my daughter's graduation party! Thanks Barbara for the post.Looks yummy.Pam

  • I have never seen guava paste….these look so very good though!! thanks so much for sharing this creation!cheersDennis

  • I love this idea! Never had guava paste but I've had appetizers with quince paste that were the same idea. I'll have to look for it…

  • I've never tried guava paste. I like the thought of small, sweet bites with cocktails.

  • I keep seeing guava paste and I keep thinking of buying some. You have convinced me! This recipe is scrumptious! 😉

  • Delicate idea!Thank you.

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