Panetela -buttery crumb cake surrounds a guava and cream cheese filling in this classic Puerto Rican treat. This simple guava cake makes an excellent snack cake, dessert or even breakfast!
Panetela de Guayaba
Hello everyone. Today I have a wonderful and easy cake recipe for you.
In Puerto Rico it’s called panetela de guayaba y queso (Guava cake with cream cheese). In Cuba they call it masa real. It’s also called bizcocho de guayaba.
This simple snack cake may have different names, but everyone calls it delicious!
It’s also not necessary to have the cheese at all, but guava and cream cheese are one of my favorite combinations!
For me they go together like peanut butter and jelly. Try my mini guava cheesecakes and you’ll know what I mean!
The sweet, concentrated guava is balanced perfectly with tangy cream cheese.
If you’ve never worked with guava paste before, you can find it in the Hispanic section of grocery stores or on Amazon.
The best way I can describe it is like a solid piece of guava jelly that’s easy for slicing or melting.
It adds so much flavor without any fuss, like my 2-ingredient guava pastelitos (puff pastries).
How to make guava cake
Now, this panetela de guayaba is what I call an “everything cake.”
It’s great for dessert of course, but also perfect with coffee in the morning for breakfast, or a tasty afternoon snack.
The texture of this cake is quite dense. It’s somewhere between cake and cookies like a shortbread crust.
You’ll see when you make the batter that it’s pretty stiff. This is normal and you’ll have to spread the batter out in the pan.
Divide the dough and spread half in a greased 8×8 pan. It may not seem like enough dough, but trust me it will be plenty!
Next, top with a layer of guava paste and slices of cream cheese (if using).
The remaining half of the cake better is spread over top and then it’s baked.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a pretty appearance and enjoy!
Panetela
This buttery cake is filled with a layer of guava and cream cheese. With its soft cookie-like texture it makes an excellent snack cake.
Ingredients
- 10 oz guava paste
- 4 oz (half a package) cream cheese
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 baking dish.
- Slice the guava paste and cream cheese into 1/4-inch thick slices; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.
- Add dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Divide dough in half and spread half into the bottom of prepared pan.
- Top with slices of guava paste in a single layer. Add cream cheese slices evenly spaced on top and cover with remaining dough.
- To make this easier, add dollops of dough across the top of the cream cheese and carefully spread the dough to the edges until completely covered with no gaps.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until fully set in center of cake. Let cool on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 236Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 259mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 5g
Nutritional information provided is an estimate only. Please consult the labels of ingredients you use for more accurate results.
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Want more guava recipes?
These guava pastelitos are suuuper easy to whip up!
Or try these crispy fried guava empanadas!
Cyndy
Thursday 10th of April 2025
This was delicious!!! My Cuban husband approved. It took only about 36 minutes to bake. maybe because I used a glass baking dish. I enjoyed the texture of the cake. It reminds me of Sablé Breton.
CC
Thursday 24th of October 2024
Amazing!! This was easy and tastes phenomenal.
Nilda
Monday 5th of August 2024
Hello
Could it be made without the cream cheese?
Thanks
AngiR
Sunday 29th of October 2023
No, I haven't, but going to look up. Thanks for your quick reply. I'm baking the Panetela today to serve tomorrow night. Or maybe I will bake tomorrow. I'm excited to taste the panetela.
Angi
Saturday 28th of October 2023
I'm going to make this recipe because I grew up eating guava but never heard about this recipe until now; however, I now see that this recipe doesn't include any liquid, like milk. I'm confused. Thanks
Rebekah
Saturday 28th of October 2023
Yes it's very thick, kind of like cookie dough! Have you ever had brazo gitano? Similar flavors but with a different texture.