Glorias (Colombian Guava and Cheese Pastries)

5 from 1 vote

Glorias are Colombian bakery pastries: rounds of puff pastry sealed around guava paste and white cheese, baked twenty minutes and dusted with sugar. Guava and cheese is the defining sweet-salty pairing of Colombian baking. Makes 10 to 12 filled pastries.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Colombian

Keyword: pastel gloria

Servings:

Calories: 99kcal

Author: Angela Giraldo

Ingredients

1 package puff pastry about 1 lb / 450 g, thawed if frozen
Guava paste (bocadillo), sliced thin, to taste sold as guava paste in US Latin aisles
Mozzarella cheese, sliced thin, to taste queso fresco is closer to the Colombian original
4 ounces arequipe (dulce de leche), optional about 115 g
1 egg, beaten for sealing and glazing
Granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
Flour a flat surface and lay the puff pastry on it.
Flour the top of the pastry and roll it out thin.
Using a cookie cutter or any circular object, cut out 20 to 24 circles, and brush the edges of each one with the beaten egg. The egg is what seals them.
In the centre of half the circles, place a thin slice of guava paste, a thin slice of cheese and, if using, half a tablespoon of arequipe. Keep the filling thin: overfilled pastries force themselves open in the oven.
Place a second circle on top of each to enclose the filling.
Seal the edges by pressing firmly all the way round with your fingers or a fork. Repeat with the rest.
Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them so they can puff.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until puffed and golden.
Take them out and sprinkle with granulated sugar while they are still hot, so it sticks.
Let them cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature. The filling is very hot straight from the oven.

Nutrition