Guava and Cream Cheese Pastries

# What You Need:

→ Pastry

01 - 1 package (14 oz) puff pastry sheets, thawed

→ Filling

02 - 5.3 oz guava paste, cut into thin slices

03 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Topping

04 - 1 large egg, beaten for egg wash

05 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional for sprinkling

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

02 - Roll out puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 8 equal rectangles for a total of 16 pieces.

03 - Place 8 pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.

04 - On each rectangle, place a thin slice of guava paste and approximately 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese, leaving a clear border around all edges.

05 - Brush the edges of each base rectangle with water. Top each with a remaining pastry rectangle and press edges firmly to seal.

06 - Use a fork to crimp the sealed edges. Gently score the tops with a knife to allow steam to escape during baking.

07 - Brush the tops of all pastelitos with beaten egg. Sprinkle with granulated sugar if desired.

08 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and puffed.

09 - Allow pastelitos to cool slightly before serving. They may be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

They come together faster than you'd think, making them perfect for impressing someone on a weeknight without the stress.
The contrast between flaky, buttery pastry and that sweet-tart guava filling never gets old, no matter how many times you make them.

02 -

Don't skip the cooling step—I learned this the hard way when molten guava paste dripped straight onto my tongue and ruined my day.
Make sure your puff pastry is truly thawed before working with it; cold pastry tears and doesn't seal properly, which means your filling leaks everywhere during baking.

03 -