Guava Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting Recipe
🧁 Guava Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Makes 12 standard cupcakes | Oven: 350°F
Cupcakes
* 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
* 1½ tsp baking powder
* ¼ tsp salt
* ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 2 tsp vanilla extract
* ½ cup (120 ml) milk
* 5 oz guava paste, cut into 12 small cubes
Cream Cheese Frosting
* 4 oz cream cheese, softened
* ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 1 tsp vanilla
* Tiny pinch of salt
Optional guava topping
* 2 tbsp guava paste
* 1–2 tsp water
Make the cupcakes
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with regular cupcake liners.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Mix in the vanilla.
5. Add half the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour. Mix just until everything comes together. Don’t overmix.
6. Put enough batter in each liner to fill it about ⅓ full.
7. Place one piece of guava paste in the center.
8. Cover with more batter until each liner is about ⅔–¾ full. Make sure the guava is covered.
9. Bake for 18–22 minutes. Test with a toothpick in the cake portion, avoiding the guava center.
10. Let them cool completely before frosting.
Cream cheese frosting 🤍
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla and a tiny pinch of salt. Beat until creamy and fluffy.
If you’re a fan of unique, tropical-inspired baking, these guava cupcakes are a fantastic choice. Incorporating guava paste inside each cupcake adds a sweet, tangy burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with the rich cream cheese frosting. When I first made these, I was pleasantly surprised by how the guava paste remained moist through baking, creating a deliciously gooey center that made every bite special. One tip to ensure the perfect texture is not to overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing can lead to dense cupcakes instead of light and fluffy ones. Also, make sure to soften both the butter and cream cheese thoroughly before mixing the frosting to achieve that silky, smooth consistency. For an extra touch, I like to make the optional guava topping by gently melting guava paste with a teaspoon or two of water until it becomes a syrupy drizzle. This can be drizzled over the frosted cupcakes or used as a glaze to add more guava flavor and a glossy finish. This recipe is great for fall and holiday gatherings but honestly, it’s perfect anytime you want to surprise friends or family with something a little different from traditional cupcakes. Plus, the combination of tropical guava and classic cream cheese frosting brings a refreshing twist that is sure to impress.