Torticas de Guayaba Cuban Cookies (Printable Version)

Buttery vanilla thumbprint cookies filled with tangy guava jam—a tropical Cuban classic.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg yolk
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Chocolate Variation

07 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

→ Filling

08 - 1/2 cup guava jam or paste, softened

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms. For chocolate variation, replace 2 tablespoons flour with cocoa powder and blend thoroughly.
05 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie.
07 - Fill each indentation with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of guava jam or softened guava paste.
08 - Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are just golden brown.
09 - Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tropical Flavor: The tangy guava jam provides a unique and exotic taste that stands out from typical fruit preserves.
  • Tender Texture: A rich, buttery dough ensures a delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
  • Simple Elegance: With only a few steps, you can produce bakery-quality cookies that look as beautiful as they taste.
02 -
  • Uniform Baking: Use a measuring spoon to ensure all dough balls are the same size for even baking.
  • Prevent Cracking: Roll the dough balls firmly in your palms to create a smooth surface before pressing the indentation.
  • Storage: Store these in an airtight container to keep the buttery base crisp and the jam center soft.
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