Guava Cheese Pop Tarts (Printable)

Flaky homemade pastries filled with sweet guava jam and creamy cheese, topped with glossy vanilla glaze for a perfect breakfast or dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
05 - 1/3 cup ice-cold water
06 - 1 large egg for egg wash

→ Filling

07 - 3/4 cup guava paste or thick guava jam
08 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
09 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
10 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Glaze

11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Pink or red food coloring, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
02 - Gradually add ice-cold water while mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Divide dough in half, flatten each portion into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
03 - In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 8 rectangles measuring approximately 3 by 4 inches each.
05 - Place 1 teaspoon of guava paste and 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture in the center of 4 rectangles, leaving a clear border on all sides.
06 - Brush the edges of filled rectangles with beaten egg. Top with remaining rectangles and press edges firmly to seal. Crimp edges with a fork to create a decorative pattern.
07 - Transfer sealed pop tarts to a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush the top of each pop tart with egg wash and prick the surface with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
09 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the pastry turns golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
10 - Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and pourable consistency. Add food coloring if desired. Drizzle or spread glaze over completely cooled pop tarts and allow to set before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • A delightful tropical twist on a nostalgic classic with a creamy cheese and guava filling.
  • Features a tender, flaky homemade pastry that surpasses store-bought alternatives.
  • Easy to customize with different jams and topped with a glossy, eye-catching glaze.
02 -
  • Keep your butter and water ice-cold to ensure the pastry remains as flaky as possible.
  • Be careful not to overfill the centers, leaving a clear border to ensure a tight seal when crimping.
  • Make sure the pop tarts are completely cooled before drizzling the glaze to prevent it from melting and running off.
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