Flaky, buttery puff pastry meets the classic combo of sweet guava and tangy cream cheese in this gorgeous braided pastry. The guava paste adds sweetness that pairs perfectly with smooth cream cheese for a balanced bite that’s so satisfying.
Best of all, it comes together easily with store-bought puff pastry, making it the perfect breakfast, dessert, or afternoon snack to enjoy with coffee or tea. Guava paste can be found in most grocery stores or online. But if you can't find it, substitute with a fruit jam or preserve.
This recipe yields two puff pastry braids.
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Secret to success for this elegant, easy dessert
This recipe is super easy to make, even for beginner bakers. Puff pastry sheets can be purchased in the freezer section of the grocery store. I recommend defrosting the puff pastry in the fridge overnight before preparing this dessert recipe. This makes the pastry soft enough to roll out a bit before spreading with the cream cheese mixture and topping with slices of guava paste.
If the puff pastry is still frozen or too cold, it will be difficult to roll out and will crack when you try to fold it over the filling.
TIP: To quickly thaw frozen puff pastry, remove pastry sheets from the box and wrap each sheet in a paper towel. Microwave one sheet at a time for 15 seconds, flip over, and microwave again for 15 seconds. Microwave in 5-second increments if still frozen. You want the puff pastry to be cool, but not frozen.
You can, of course, make your own puff pastry at home instead if you have the patience and the time!
The magic of guava paste
Guava paste is a sweet, fruity preserve with a thick, jelly-like texture that’s firm enough to slice but soft when you bite into it. Its flavor is tropical and vibrant, often described as a cross between strawberry, pear, and citrus, with just the right balance of sweetness and tang.
Because of its rich, concentrated flavor, guava paste pairs beautifully with cheese making it a classic combo with cream cheese, goat cheese, or even sharp cheddar.
Substitutes for guava paste
You can usually find it in the International aisle of most grocery stores, or substitute with guava jam if needed. A great substitute for guava paste in this braided puff pastry recipe is guava jam or preserves, since they have a similar fruity flavor and sweetness (though the texture will be softer and more spreadable).
If you can’t find guava products at all or would prefer not to use guava, other good options are apricot jam, strawberry preserves, or quince paste; each gives that same sweet-tart fruitiness that balances so well with cream cheese.
Here’s a list of guava paste substitutes, from closest in flavor/texture to easiest pantry-friendly swaps:
Closest in flavor and texture to guava paste
- Guava Jam or Preserves – Same tropical flavor, just softer and spreadable.
- Quince Paste (Membrillo) – Similar thick, sliceable texture with a sweet-tart fruitiness.
Great flavor matches for guava
- Apricot Jam – Sweet with a subtle tang, pairs beautifully with cream cheese.
- Strawberry or Raspberry Preserves – Brings a berry sweetness that mimics guava’s fruity notes.
Pantry-friendly swaps
- Peach or Mango Jam – Bright, tropical flavors that balance the tangy cream cheese.
- Apple Butter – A bit different, but still sweet, thick, and delicious in puff pastry.
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How to make Guava Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid
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Ingredients
- 1 14-ounce package puff pastry thawed, (2 sheets)
- 6 ounces guava paste sliced into ¼ - ½ inch slices
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and egg yolk together on medium speed until smooth.8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, 1 large egg yolk
- Add the sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla, then beat until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Remove one puff pastry sheet from the refrigerator. Wrap the second sheet and keep refrigerated as you work with the first puff pastry sheet. (You can freeze the second sheet of the dough at this point - use the freezing instructions below.)1 14-ounce package puff pastry
- Unfold the puff pastry sheet on the prepared baking sheet. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into a 12×8-inch rectangle.
- Spread ½ of the cream cheese filling down the length of the center of the puff pastry, which should be about 3 inches wide. Top with slices of guava paste.6 ounces guava paste
- Using a sharp knife, pastry wheel, or pizza cutter, cut 10 slanting strips (¾ – 1 inch wide each) along both sides of the cream cheese filling. Fold strips over the filling, alternating each side to resemble a twist or a braid.
- Repeat with the second sheet of the puff pastry dough, if using now, and the rest of the filling / guava paste. The braids may seem very narrow, but they puff up and out as they bake.
- Prepare the egg wash: Whisk the egg wash ingredients together. Brush all over the dough. Sprinkle sugar evenly on top of the braid after brushing the dough with egg wash.1 large egg, 2 tablespoons whole milk, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Bake in the center of the oven for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan from front to back halfway through, until the pastries are golden. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Thaw puff pastry overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
- To quickly thaw frozen puff pastry, remove pastry sheets from the box and wrap each sheet in a paper towel. Microwave one sheet at a time for 15 seconds, flip over, and microwave again for 15 seconds. Microwave in 5-second increments if still frozen. You want the puff pastry to be cool, but not frozen.
- Make ahead and freezing instructions: You can also freeze the shaped and filled braids after shaping them. Thaw in the refrigerator, then continue with egg wash and sugar, then bake. The filling can also be frozen separately, thawed on the counter and added to the puff pastry at another time.
- Substitute the guava paste for guava jam or preserves. Other good options are apricot jam, strawberry preserves, or quince paste.