Guava Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze and Streusel Topping Recipe
This Best Guava Cake recipe blends a luscious cream cheese butter cake with a sweet guava marmalade layer and a crumbly streusel topping. Finished with a smooth cream cheese glaze and extra guava jam drizzle, this tropical-inspired dessert is perfect for gatherings, offering a moist and flavorful treat bursting with fruity and creamy textures.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup guava marmalade (plus more for drizzling)
Streusel Topping
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 4 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and flour to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: Using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugars: Beat in the granulated sugar and light brown sugar gradually until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even mixing.
- Stir in Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, until just combined.
- Layer Batter and Guava: Spread about half of the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Add Guava Marmalade: Spread the guava marmalade evenly over the first layer of batter for a delicious fruity center.
- Top with Remaining Batter: Dollop the remaining batter over the guava layer and gently spread evenly with a spatula.
- Add Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake: Bake the cake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting.
- Prepare Streusel: To make streusel topping, melt the butter in a medium bowl. Stir together the flour, sugars, vanilla, and salt with a fork, then pour melted butter over and mix until crumbly.
- Make Cream Cheese Glaze: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add confectioners’ sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Drizzle the cream cheese glaze and extra guava jam over slices of the cooled cake before serving for an extra burst of sweetness.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and better mixing.
- If guava marmalade is unavailable, substitute with guava paste softened slightly or any tropical fruit jam.
- Ensure the cake is fully cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting into the cake.
- The streusel topping can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to use.
- For a dairy-free version, try substituting with plant-based cream cheese and butter alternatives, and use almond milk instead of whole milk.
Keywords: guava cake, cream cheese cake, guava marmalade dessert, tropical cake, streusel topping, cream cheese glaze
