Cuban-Style Guava and Cream Cheese Danishes

These round, golden pastries combine creamy vanilla cheese with sweet guava paste—a simple twist inspired by classic Cuban pastelitos de guayaba y queso.

Makes: 8 danishes
Bake: 375°F for 14–17 minutes

Ingredients

Pastries

• 2 cans refrigerated crescent-roll dough

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon lime zest

• Pinch of salt

• 4 ounces guava paste, cut into 8 small pieces

• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Sweet Condensed-Milk Glaze

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk

• 1–2 teaspoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in the condensed milk, egg yolk, vanilla, lime zest, and salt.

3. Unroll the crescent dough without separating it into triangles. Press the perforated seams together to form two solid rectangles.

4. Cut each rectangle lengthwise into four long strips. Gently stretch and twist each strip, then coil it around itself to create a round pastry. Tuck the end underneath.

5. Arrange the pastries on the baking sheet. Press a wide indentation into the center of each one.

6. Place one piece of guava paste in each indentation. Spoon approximately two tablespoons of cream cheese filling over the guava. The guava can remain hidden beneath the filling to match the appearance of your photo.

7. Brush the exposed dough with melted butter. Bake for 14–17 minutes, until puffed and golden.

8. Let the danishes cool for about 10 minutes.

9. Whisk together the powdered sugar, condensed milk, regular milk, and vanilla. Drizzle it over the pastries or spoon it over the cream cheese centers.

The sweet guava surprise, creamy cheese, touch of lime, and condensed-milk glaze give these easy danishes a delicious Cuban-inspired flavor.