Guava Cheesecake with Maria Crust (Printable)

Creamy cheesecake with tangy guava swirl and crisp Maria cookie crust, offering tropical flavors in every bite.

# What You Need:

→ Crust

01 - 7 oz Maria cookies or digestive biscuits
02 - 5.5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar

→ Cheesecake Filling

04 - 21 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 0.85 cup sour cream
07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lime

→ Guava Swirl

10 - 7 oz guava marmalade or paste
11 - 2 tbsp water

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 320°F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
02 - Crush Maria cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor. Mix with melted butter and 2 tbsp sugar until evenly moistened.
03 - Press the crumb mixture firmly into the base of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool slightly.
04 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add sour cream, mixing well.
05 - Add eggs one at a time, beating just until combined after each. Stir in vanilla extract and lime zest.
06 - Pour the cream cheese filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top.
07 - In a small saucepan, gently heat the guava marmalade with 2 tbsp water until loosened and pourable. If using paste, mash and stir until smooth.
08 - Drop spoonfuls of guava marmalade over the cheesecake batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the guava into the filling for a marbled effect.
09 - Bake for 50–55 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
10 - Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
11 - Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 3 hours or overnight before removing from the pan and slicing.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The contrast between the tangy tropical swirl and velvety cheesecake creates this incredible sweettart dance that keeps you going back for just one more thin slice
  • That Maria cookie crust brings a subtle buttery crunch that's somehow lighter and more sophisticated than the usual graham cracker base
02 -
  • I once rushed the cooling process and ended up with a crack right through the center, and that's when I truly understood why the gradual oven cooling matters
  • Room temperature ingredients aren't just a suggestion, they're the difference between silky smooth and lumpy disappointingly textured cheesecake
03 -
  • Run a thin knife around the edge of the pan before releasing the springform to ensure clean sides that don't stick
  • Place a pan of water on the rack below your cheesecake while baking to add humidity and prevent cracking
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