Looking for a delightful dessert that satisfies your taste buds? Try our Guava Bars! A perfect balance of buttery goodness, crumbly crust, and luscious guava jam awaits. Get ready to savor this delightful culinary journey!
Why I Love It
- Easy-to-Make: I adore how this recipe is both straightforward and rewarding. The simple steps guide me effortlessly through the baking process, ensuring a successful and mouthwatering outcome every time. Whether I’m a seasoned baker or just starting on my culinary journey, these Guava Bars are a joy to make.
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- Crumble Top Magic: Ah, the crumble top! The piece that takes these bars to a whole new level of scrumptiousness. The sweet, caramel-like notes of the brown sugar in the crumble perfectly complement the tanginess of the guava jam, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite.
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy: One of the things I cherish most about this recipe is the harmonious balance of sweetness and tanginess. The natural sweetness of the guava jam is beautifully offset by the buttery crust and crumble top, creating a dessert that’s not overly sugary, but utterly delightful.
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- Versatility: These bars are incredibly versatile! They make a delightful dessert for family gatherings, potlucks, or special occasions. They also serve as a delightful snack, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee during quiet moments of relaxation.
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This Guava Bars recipe has a special place in my heart and kitchen. The crumble top magic, and the sheer deliciousness of each bite make it an absolute favorite. Whether I’m sharing them with family and friends or treating myself to a moment of pure bliss, these bars never fail to delight and bring joy to my day. If you’re a fan of heavenly desserts, I encourage you to try this recipe. Once you do, you’ll fall in love!
What Are The Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the bars, flour provides structure and texture to the crust and crumble topping. Its mild flavor allows the tropical taste of guava to shine.
- Unsalted Butter: Essential to the rich buttery crust and the delectable crumble top. Chilling the butter helps create a flaky and crumbly texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness to the crust and crumble topping, balancing the tanginess of the guava jam.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the ingredients’ flavors and adds depth to the dessert.
- Light Brown Sugar: The secret to the enticing crumble top, the brown sugar brings caramel-like sweetness and a hint of warmth to the bars.
- Guava Jam: The star of the show! Guava jam infuses the bars with a tropical explosion of flavor, sweet and tangy, reminiscent of sun-kissed beaches and exotic fruits.
How To Make Guava Bars
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring it extends over the edges for easy removal later. This will save you from any messy clean-up!
- Prepare the Crust: In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, chilled butter pieces, granulated sugar, and salt. Pulse the mixture until it resembles a coarse meal, taking about 30 seconds.
- Set Aside Topping: Scoop out 1 cup of the flour-butter mixture and set it aside. This portion will be used later for the delightful crumble top.
- Press the Base: Transfer the remaining flour-butter mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press it firmly and evenly across the base of the pan until it forms a smooth and compact layer. This will become the mouthwatering crust of our Guava Bars.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake the crust for about 20 minutes or until it turns a beautiful golden brown. The heavenly aroma will fill your kitchen, tantalizing your senses!
- Prepare the Crumble Topping: While the crust is baking, add the reserved 1 cup of flour-butter mixture back into the food processor. Add the packed light brown sugar and pulse a few times (about 5-6 pulses) until the ingredients are combined. This will create a delightful crumble topping.
- Layer with Guava Jam: Once the crust is out of the oven, spread the guava jam evenly over the warm base. The guava jam’s vibrant color and alluring scent will make your mouth water in anticipation!
- Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the Crumble topping mixture over the guava jam layer. The combination will add a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch to our Guava Bars.
- Bake to Perfection: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the crumble top turns a golden brown, complementing the tempting guava layer beneath.
- Cool and Slice: Once the Guava Bars are done baking, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling allows the flavors to meld and the bars to set beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: After a couple of hours, use the aluminum foil to lift the cooled Guava Bars from the pan. Now comes the best part – cut them into 12 delicious bars. Serve them on a platter and watch them disappear in no time!
Tips
To ensure your bars turn out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks:
- Chilled Butter is Key: Make sure to use cold, unsalted butter and cut it into small pieces before adding it to the flour mixture. Chilled butter helps create a flaky and crumbly texture in both the crust and crumble topping.
- Parchment Paper or Foil Lining: Lining the baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper is crucial. It makes removing the bars from the pan easier and aids in easy cleanup.
- Press the Crust Firmly: Press the flour-butter mixture into the baking pan firmly and evenly to create a compact crust that holds together well.
- Guava Jam Evenly Spread: Ensure the guava jam is spread evenly over the warm crust. This will help distribute the delicious guava flavor throughout the bars.
- Adjust Crumble Topping Thickness: If you prefer a thicker crumble topping, add more flour-butter mixture to the top before baking. For a lighter topping, use less of the mixture.
- Monitor Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the baking time to prevent over-browning. The crust and crumble topping should be a lovely golden brown when done.
- Cooling for Perfect Set: Allow the Guava Bars to cool completely before cutting. Cooling allows the bars to set properly, making them easier to slice and serve.
- Experiment with Other Jams: While guava jam is the star of this recipe, feel free to get creative with other fruit jams or preserves. Mango, raspberry, or apricot jams would make delightful variations.
- Storage and Serving: Store the cooled Guava Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Serve them on a platter and enjoy as a delightful treat with your favorite hot beverage.
- Get Creative: Have fun experimenting with different textures and flavors. You can add chopped nuts or shredded coconut to the crumble topping for extra crunch and tropical flair!
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Conclusion: With these helpful tips, your Guava Bars are sure to turn out perfectly every time, dazzling your taste buds and transporting you to a tropical paradise with each bite. Embrace the joy of baking, get creative with your flavors, and share these delectable bars with your loved ones. Happy baking and indulging in the tropical bliss of Guava Bars!
Guava Bars
- Author: Maddie
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 Bars 1x
Description
Looking for a delightful dessert that satisfies your taste buds? Try our Guava Bars! A perfect balance of buttery goodness, crumbly crust, and luscious guava jam awaits. Get ready to savor this delightful culinary journey!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring it extends over the edges for easy removal later. This will save you from any messy clean-up!
- Prepare the Crust: In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, chilled butter pieces, granulated sugar, and salt. Pulse the mixture until it resembles a coarse meal, taking about 30 seconds.
- Set Aside Topping: Scoop out 1 cup of the flour-butter mixture and set it aside. This portion will be used later for the delightful crumble top.
- Press the Base: Transfer the remaining flour-butter mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press it firmly and evenly across the base of the pan until it forms a smooth and compact layer. This will become the mouthwatering crust of our Guava Bars.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake the crust for about 20 minutes or until it turns a beautiful golden brown. The heavenly aroma will fill your kitchen, tantalizing your senses!
- Prepare the Crumble Topping: While the crust is baking, add the reserved 1 cup of flour-butter mixture back into the food processor. Add the packed light brown sugar and pulse a few times (about 5-6 pulses) until the ingredients are combined. This will create a delightful crumble topping.
- Layer with Guava Jam: Once the crust is out of the oven, spread the guava jam evenly over the warm base. The guava jam’s vibrant color and alluring scent will make your mouth water in anticipation!
- Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the Crumble topping mixture over the guava jam layer. The combination will add a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch to our Guava Bars.
- Bake to Perfection: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the crumble top turns a golden brown, complementing the tempting guava layer beneath.
- Cool and Slice: Once the Guava Bars are done baking, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling allows the flavors to meld and the bars to set beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: After a couple of hours, use the aluminum foil to lift the cooled Guava Bars from the pan. Now comes the best part – cut them into 12 delicious bars. Serve them on a platter and watch them disappear in no time!
Notes
Tips:
To ensure your bars turn out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks:
- Chilled Butter is Key: Make sure to use cold, unsalted butter and cut it into small pieces before adding it to the flour mixture. Chilled butter helps create a flaky and crumbly texture in both the crust and crumble topping.
- Monitor Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the baking time to prevent over-browning. The crust and crumble topping should be a lovely golden brown when done.
- Cooling for Perfect Set: Allow the Guava Bars to cool completely before cutting. Cooling allows the bars to set properly, making them easier to slice and serve.
- Experiment with Other Jams: While guava jam is the star of this recipe, feel free to get creative with other fruit jams or preserves. Mango, raspberry, or apricot jams would make delightful variations.
- Storage and Serving: Store the cooled Guava Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Serve them on a platter and enjoy as a delightful treat with your favorite hot beverage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: 598
- Sugar: 31
- Sodium: 203
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 19
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 77
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 80
Keywords: Guava, Bars, Dessert, Sweets