Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are an irresistible blend of creamy, fruity, and subtly sweet flavors. The cream cheese base offers a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the guava paste brings a lovely tangy sweetness that’s perfectly complemented by almond and vanilla extracts. Not only are they delicious, but they are also visually stunning with their unique thumbprint shape. Perfect for special occasions or sharing with friends and family, these cookies will quickly become a favorite!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

• 8 ounces cream cheese (full-fat, room temperature)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ cup guava paste (or guava jam)

• Powdered sugar for dusting

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix dry ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl.

3. Beat wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.

4. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the dough just comes together.

5. Chill dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up and make it easier to work with.

6. Form cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. If the dough is too sticky, dust your hands with powdered sugar or dampen them. Make an indent in the center of each ball using your thumb or the back of a spoon.

7. Fill with guava paste: Spoon a small amount of warmed guava paste into the thumbprint indent of each cookie.

8. Bake: Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.

9. Cool and dust: Let the cookies cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: This recipe makes 30-35 cookies.

• Total Time: About 3 hours (including chilling time).

Variations

• Other Fruit Preserves: Swap guava paste with other fruit preserves like mango, strawberry, or apricot for a different flavor profile.

• Lemon Twist: Add lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy kick that complements the guava flavor.

• Glaze Option: Drizzle a cream cheese glaze over the cooled cookies for extra sweetness.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

• Freezing: These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze them before baking or after they have cooled. For unbaked cookies, freeze the dough balls and bake as needed.

• Reheating: Gently warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe?

Low-fat cream cheese may alter the texture of the cookies, so it's best to use full-fat cream cheese for the best results.

2. Can I use fresh guavas instead of guava paste?

Guava paste is recommended as it is thicker and easier to work with. However, you can use fresh guavas if you cook them down into a thick paste or jam-like consistency.

3. How do I prevent the dough from being too sticky?

Ensure that the dough is chilled for at least 2 hours before handling. If it’s still sticky, lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar or use a damp towel.

4. Can I add nuts to these cookies?

Yes! Chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts would complement the cream cheese and guava flavor wonderfully.

5. Can I make a smaller batch of these cookies?

Yes, simply halve the recipe for a smaller batch.

6. Can I use a different fruit paste or jam?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with flavors like strawberry, apricot, or mango jam in place of guava paste.

7. How long should I chill the dough?

Chill the dough for at least 2 hours to allow it to firm up for easier handling.

8. Can I make these cookies in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance, refrigerate it, and bake the cookies when ready. They also freeze well for longer storage.

9. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them as baking times may vary.

10. What should I do if the guava paste is too thick?

If the guava paste is too thick to spoon, warm it slightly and stir in a few drops of water to loosen it up.

Conclusion

Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy flavors. Their soft texture and unique guava topping make them a fun and delicious treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a potluck, or just treating yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit.

Print

Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are a soft, delicious treat with a tropical twist. These cookies feature a creamy cream cheese base paired with sweet, tangy guava paste in a thumbprint shape. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a perfect balance of flavors. Ideal for holidays or any special occasion, these cookies are sure to impress with their delicate sweetness and visually appealing appearance.

• Author: Janet
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Total Time: About 3 hours (including chilling time)
• Yield: 30-35 cookies
• Category: Dessert, Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tropical, American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

8 ounces cream cheese (full-fat, room temperature)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup guava paste (or guava jam)

Powdered sugar for dusting

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl.

• Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.

• Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until the dough forms.

• Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.

• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, dusting hands with powdered sugar or dampening them if sticky. Press your thumb or a spoon to make an indent in the center.

• Fill the indents with warmed guava paste.

• Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

• Let the cookies cool completely and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

• You can replace guava paste with other fruit jams like strawberry, mango, or apricot.

• For extra sweetness, drizzle a cream cheese glaze over cooled cookies.

• If the guava paste is too thick, warm it up slightly and add a few drops of water to loosen it.