Guava Cake Bars (Printable)

Buttery pastry with luscious guava filling creates these classic Cuban treats.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

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

→ Filling

09 - 12 oz guava paste, sliced into thin strips

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Spread half the dough evenly into prepared pan.
06 - Arrange guava paste strips in a single, even layer over the dough.
07 - Gently spread remaining dough over guava layer using spatula or damp fingers.
08 - Bake 38–42 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted into pastry (not guava) comes out clean.
09 - Cool completely in pan. Lift out using parchment and cut into bars.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The rich, buttery pastry melts in your mouth and pairs perfectly with the sweet filling.
  • Traditional Cuban guava paste provides an exotic and sticky center.
  • A simple, one-pan dessert that is easy to share and serve.
02 -
  • Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block of bars out of the pan for easier cutting.
  • If the top layer of dough is difficult to spread, use slightly damp fingers or a wet spatula to smooth it over the guava.
  • Ensure the guava paste is sliced into thin, even strips to provide a consistent layer throughout the bars.
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