Guava Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Guava Cream Cheese Cookies are a delightful treat combining rich cream cheese dough with a sweet and tangy guava center. These soft, buttery cookies are perfect for a unique twist on your usual cookie routine and are topped with a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar for extra charm.

Ingredients

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 oz guava paste, or guava marmalade/jam
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the butter and continue beating until fully combined and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the sugar to the cream cheese mixture and beat until creamy. Then beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well incorporated.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until the cookie dough comes together. Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for up to 2 hours.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Step 6: Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it into balls about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons in size. Place them spaced a few inches apart on the baking sheet.
7. Step 7: Using the back of a spoon or your thumb, create an indent in the center of each dough ball. Freeze the tray for 10 minutes to chill the cookies.
8. Step 8: While the cookies chill, warm the guava paste in a bowl using 20-second intervals in the microwave until it becomes loose and gooey.
9. Step 9: Remove the cookies from the freezer and spoon about ½ teaspoon of the warmed guava paste into each indent.
10. Step 10: Bake the cookies for 13 to 16 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned and the bottoms have a golden hue.
11. Step 11: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack, then dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
• You can substitute guava marmalade or jam if guava paste is not available.
• Chilling the dough is important to prevent spreading and helps maintain the cookie’s shape.
• For a nutty twist, add finely chopped toasted almonds to the dough.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes to regain softness, if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?

Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best texture and flavor, but you can use low-fat cream cheese. The cookies might be slightly less rich and tender.

What if I don’t have guava paste?

If guava paste isn’t available, you can substitute with guava marmalade or jam for a similar fruity center. Alternatively, try other fruit preserves like strawberry or apricot for a different flavor.

Guava Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 66 reviews

These Guava Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, buttery delights featuring a creamy tangy cream cheese dough with a sweet, tropical guava center. Perfectly tender with a hint of almond and vanilla, they are dusted with confectioners’ sugar for a lovely finish, ideal for an elegant tea-time treat or festive occasion.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Cookie
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Filling and Garnish

• 2 oz guava paste, or guava marmalade/jam
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside to ensure even distribution and activation of leavening.
2. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the unsalted butter and beat until fully combined. Incorporate the sugar and beat until creamy. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing thoroughly to combine.
3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, continuing to beat until a cohesive cookie dough forms. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours to firm up and develop flavors.
4. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
5. Shape Cookies: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough into balls approximately 1 to 1.5 tablespoons in size. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. Using the back of a spoon or your thumb, create an indent in the center of each dough ball. Freeze the shaped cookies for 10 minutes to set their shape for baking.
6. Prepare Guava Filling: Warm the guava paste in a bowl by microwaving at 20-second intervals, stirring in between until it becomes loose and gooey.
7. Fill and Bake: Remove the cookies from the freezer and spoon approximately ½ teaspoon of the warmed guava paste into the center indent of each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 13-16 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned on the sides and the bottoms have a golden hue.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving to add a delicate sweetness and elegant appearance.

Notes

• Chilling the dough not only firms it for easier shaping but enhances flavor and texture.
• Freezing the shaped dough balls before baking helps maintain their shape and prevents spreading.
• If guava paste is too firm, warming it gently makes it easier to spoon into the cookies.
• These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or refrigerated for up to a week.
• Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor; reduced-fat versions may alter the cookie consistency.

Keywords: Guava cookies, Cream cheese cookies, Latin American dessert, Guava paste cookies, Soft cookies, Holiday cookies