Guava Cheese Tropical Sweet (Printable Version)

Fragrant jewel-toned squares made from ripe guava and lime, creating a luscious tropical sweet treat with delicate tang.

# Components:

→ Fruit Base

01 - 4 cups ripe guava, peeled, deseeded, and chopped
02 - 1/2 cup water

→ Sugar & Flavor

03 - 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

→ Enrichment

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

→ Coating

06 - 1/4 cup superfine sugar for dusting (optional)

# Method Steps:

01 - Grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan with butter and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - Place chopped guava and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes until fruit is completely soft.
03 - Transfer cooked guava to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Pass through a fine mesh sieve to remove any remaining seeds or fiber particles.
04 - Measure out 2 cups of the strained guava puree and return it to the heavy-bottomed saucepan.
05 - Add granulated sugar and fresh lime juice to the guava puree. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula.
06 - Continue cooking for 30 to 40 minutes until the mixture thickens noticeably and begins to pull away from the pan sides. Add butter and stir until the mixture becomes glossy, very thick, and forms a cohesive mass that holds its shape.
07 - Immediately pour the hot mixture into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top evenly using a spatula.
08 - Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for 1 hour until completely set.
09 - Lift the set confection from the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut into 1-inch squares or diamonds using a greased knife. Roll pieces in superfine sugar to coat if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms humble guavas into an elegant confection that tastes like sunshine and lime on your tongue.
  • The whole process teaches you something about patience and how sugar can coax the most fragrant depths from tropical fruit.
  • It's naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and keeps for weeks, making it perfect for gifting or tucking away for unexpected tea guests.
02 -
  • The cooking time varies wildly depending on how juicy your guavas are and how much water evaporates, so don't rely on time alone—watch for the mixture to pull away from the sides and feel resistant when you stir.
  • If your guava cheese stays too soft after an hour, you either didn't cook it long enough or your guavas were exceptionally watery; next time, simmer longer and don't be afraid to cook it to a darker, more caramelized shade.
03 -
  • If your mixture seems to be burning or darkening too quickly around the edges, lower your heat slightly and stir more frequently rather than giving up—slow cooking prevents scorching.
  • The secret to silky texture is pressing that puree through the sieve no matter how tempting it is to skip; I learned this the hard way the first time I made it.
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