Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic, offering a burst of tropical sweetness nestled in a tender, buttery cookie. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their cookie game with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Key Ingredients for Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup guava paste, finely diced or puréed
- Optional: 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
These Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are incredibly easy to make, resulting in a wonderfully tender cookie with a sweet, tangy surprise at its center. The combination of creamy cream cheese dough and vibrant guava filling is simply divine, offering a taste that’s both comforting and exotic. With a preparation time of approximately 30 minutes and a baking time of 12-15 minutes, you can whip up a batch of these irresistible treats in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. This can be done with an electric mixer or by hand with a sturdy whisk. Ensure both ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest blend.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Salt: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined. The vanilla adds a warm aroma, and the salt helps to balance the sweetness.
- Gradually Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed or stirring with a spatula until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough at this stage, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Prepare the Guava Filling: If you are using guava paste, dice it into very small pieces or purée it in a food processor until smooth. This will make it easier to spoon into the cookie indentations.
- Form the Cookie Dough Balls: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter. You should get approximately 3 to 4 dozen cookies from this recipe.
- Create the Thumbprints: Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie dough ball. Be careful not to press all the way through the dough.
- Fill the Thumbprints: Spoon about ½ to 1 teaspoon of the prepared guava paste into each indentation. Don’t overfill, as the guava will soften and spread slightly during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the guava filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Dusting: Once cooled, you can lightly dust the Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
Why You’ll Love This Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
You’ll adore these Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies for their incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, a delightful contrast to the rich, sweet guava filling. These cookies offer a wonderfully unique flavor profile that sets them apart from your average sugar cookie, bringing a hint of the tropics to your dessert table. Plus, making them at home is far more economical than purchasing specialty cookies, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet treat without the premium price tag.
Unlike traditional shortbread thumbprints, the addition of cream cheese to the dough creates an unparalleled softness and a delicate tang that perfectly complements the vibrant, fruity guava. It’s a flavor combination that’s wonderfully satisfying and truly memorable. If you’re looking for a simple yet impressive cookie to impress guests or simply treat yourself, these Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies tasting their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before sealing the container to prevent any moisture buildup. If you find yourself with more cookies than you can enjoy within that timeframe, you can also freeze them.
For freezing, arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until firm. Once firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat or enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. For an extra treat, you can gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes to revive their freshness and slightly melt the guava center.
Final Thoughts
Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are a truly special treat, blending classic comfort with an exotic twist. Encourage yourself to bake a batch; your taste buds will thank you for it!
Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. This can be done with an electric mixer or by hand with a sturdy whisk. Ensure both ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest blend.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined. The vanilla adds a warm aroma, and the salt helps to balance the sweetness.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed or stirring with a spatula until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough at this stage, as this can lead to tough cookies.2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- If you are using guava paste, dice it into very small pieces or purée it in a food processor until smooth. This will make it easier to spoon into the cookie indentations.1 cup guava paste, finely diced or puréed
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter. You should get approximately 3 to 4 dozen cookies from this recipe.
- Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie dough ball. Be careful not to press all the way through the dough.
- Spoon about ½ to 1 teaspoon of the prepared guava paste into each indentation. Don’t overfill, as the guava will soften and spread slightly during baking.1 cup guava paste, finely diced or puréed
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the guava filling is bubbly.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can lightly dust the Guava Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting