Shared by Malena Svarch
Shared by Malena Svarch
Pastelitos (Sweet Hand Pies Filled With Guava and Cheese)
Yield: 18 pastelitosTime: 30min plus 25min baking time
Pastelitos (Sweet Hand Pies Filled With Guava and Cheese)
Yield: 18 pastelitosTime: 30min plus 25min baking timeFamily Journey
Havana, Cuba
New York City
This recipe was shared by Malena Svarch. Read more about her family in "Even 1,300 Miles from Home, A Young Cook Remembers Havana" and try her recipes for ropa vieja (beef braised with tomatoes and spices) and tostones.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of Puff Pastry, cut into 9 squares (2x2 inches each)
- 1 16 oz. block of guava paste
- 1 8 oz. block of regular cream cheese, optional
- 1 large egg
- sugar for sprinkling
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Cut a ¼” rectangle of guava paste (about 2 teaspoons) and place in the center of one of the squares of puff pastry. Fold one corner of the square over the guava paste to meet the other corner, forming a triangle. Seal the edges by pressing along the entire edge of the triangle with a fork. For the cream cheese option, place ¼” rectangle of guava paste and a ¼” rectangle of cream cheese in the center of the puff pastry square and shape into a triangle, sealing the edges with the tines of your fork. Repeat with the remaining squares, choosing whatever filling you’d like until all the squares are full. Lay the pastries out on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 3
In a small bowl or jar, combine the egg and a teaspoon of water. Brush the pastelitos with the egg wash and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
Step 4
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5
Let cool, and then serve immediately or reheat in the microwave and enjoy with morning with coffee!
