Pastel Gloria is a traditional Colombian dessert. It's delicious with the perfect combination of sweet and salty.
Today I would like to introduce one of my favorite traditional Colombian desserts. Which, conveniently, is also ridiculously easy to make. I have no idea how Pastel Gloria got its name, but it is a popular dessert in my country.
What is Pastel Gloria?
It is essentially puff pastry filled with dulce de leche (arequipe), guava paste (bocadillo) and cheese.
In Colombia you can find these delicious pastries at every bakery. They are easy and quick to make, and perfect with cup or tea or coffee.
Ingredients You'll Need
The printable recipe card with exact amounts and baking directions is below
Puff Pastry: I prefer using store bough frozen pastry to make this recipe, because it's easy for me. But you can make your own from scratch if you prefer.
Dulce de Leche: I have a homemade dulce de leche recipe if you want to use it, but you can buy it at any supermarket or online if you prefer.
Guava Paste: Also know as bocadillo in Colombia is a sweet ingredient very popular in latin America. You can find it at latin markets or online.
Sugar: Adds little crunch to the pasteles. This is an optional ingredient, but I really like the texture.
Cheese: I like to use mozzarella cheese, but queso blanco will work too.
Egg: To seal the pastries and add on top before baking.
How to Make Pastel Gloria
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Flour a clean, dry counter top or other flat working surface. Lay out the puff pasty on the floured surface. Flour the top of the dough. Roll out the puff pastry until it is half as thick (about ⅛-inch).
Using a large cookie cutter, cut into 24 circles and brush the edges of each circle with the egg. A little off center of each circle, place 1 slice of guava paste, 1 slice of cheese and about ½ tablespoon dulce de leche. Place another circle on top to enclose the filling.
Crimp the edges with a fork. Repeat with the remaining pasteles, placing them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet as you go. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and puffy.
Sprinkle with the sugar on top, then cool the pasteles on a rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
More Easy Desserts to Try
Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)
Pionono de Arequipe (Dulce de Leche and Coconut Cake Roll)
Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Cookie Sandwich)
Pastel Gloria Recipe (Guava, Dulce de Leche and Cheese Pastry)
Ingredients
- 1 package of frozen puff pastry thawed
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons sugar for garnish
- 4 oz guava paste sliced
- 4 oz white or mozarella cheese sliced
- 4 oz dulce de leche
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Flour a clean, dry counter top or other flat working surface. Lay out the puff pasty on the floured surface. Flour the top of the dough. Roll out the puff pastry until it is half as thick (about ⅛-inch).
- Using a large cookie cutter, cut into 24 circles and brush the edges of each circle with the egg. A little off center of each circle, place 1 slice of guava paste, 1 slice of cheese and about ½ tablespoon dulce de leche. Place another circle on top to enclose the filling.
- Crimp the edges with a fork. Repeat with the remaining pasteles, placing them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet as you go. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and puffy.
- Sprinkle with the sugar on top, then cool the pasteles on a rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Joanne
You are so good at making me drool uncontrollably it's unbelievable. These look amazing! I love that filling.
grace
for a minute, i feared you wouldn't share a picture of the innards. what a relief to see that ooey-gooey goodess--great creation! 🙂
Jeannie
I have always assumed guava is a kind of fruit which we eat fresh on its own. I have never came across this kind of guava paste. Looks delicious with the pastry.
Btw, thanks for visiting my blog:D Cheers!
Baking is my Zen
Looks delicious! Yum, Yum!!
Kim
I was just sent some guava paste from another blogging buddy and am looking for recipes to try it out with. These look might tasty and addictive, Erica!! I bet it is hard to eat just one of them 🙂
Sandra G.
There are no words! I have to make this one!
Erica
Thank you all for taking the time to leave a comment!
Rachana
These sound so delicious...
Cooking with Kait
What a lovely cheese pastry. I love your use of guava. We are going to plant some guavas in our yard this summer. I can't wait to make a guava jam. Thank you for introducing me to a wonderful Colombian dessert.
Maritza N Heg
I “discovered” Pastel de Gloria”, many decades ago, when I attended College in Medellin ( at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana). DELICIOUS!!
Belinda @zomppa
I can't think of anything not to like here. Three of some of my favorite flavors.
Nats
They look so good! I used to have these back in Medellin as a kid in elementary school.
5 Star Foodie
These sound wonderful with guava paste and dulce de leche! I will try this combo right away!
Lyndsey
I made guava cheese turnovers using puff pastry just on Tuesday! I like that you added dulce de leches! I do have a little guava paste left over....these do looks so good!!
gloria
I love it Erica and I love guavas (sometimes I find here frozen) and the name..... Is a joke!!! look delicious!! gloria
Ivy
I've never tasted guava before but you can't go wrong with puff pastry. It sounds good.
Felisha
Looks heavenly, Erica!