Guava Cake Bars (Print)

Buttery pastry meets sweet guava in these classic Cuban bars, offering tender cake and luscious fruit filling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
06 - 3 large eggs, at room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - ⅓ cup whole milk

→ Filling

09 - 12 ounces guava paste, sliced into thin strips

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
06 - Spread half the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring uniform coverage.
07 - Arrange guava paste strips in a single, even layer over the base dough.
08 - Gently spread remaining dough over guava layer using a spatula or damp fingers to cover completely.
09 - Bake for 38-42 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the pastry comes out clean.
10 - Allow to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment paper overhang and cut into 16 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Classic Cuban flavors that perfectly balance sweet fruit and buttery pastry.
  • A tender, cake-like texture that makes every bite satisfying.
  • Simple enough for home bakers while delivering professional-quality results.
  • Ideal for sharing, yielding 16 generous bars.
02 -
  • Do not overmix the dough once you begin adding the flour, as this can lead to a tougher texture rather than a tender crumb.
  • Wait until the bars are completely cool before lifting them out of the pan to ensure the guava paste has set properly.
  • Always check the labels of your guava paste to ensure it meets your dietary needs regarding potential allergens.
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