TROPICAL GUAVA BARS
Remember the trip to Little Havana in Miami that inspired the plant-based Cubano? Well, that same trip inspired the request for these Tropical Guava Bars. Yes, I said request. If you know me, you know I am not the best baker. So, when desserts are on the menu, I usually ask for additional support from Mama Paige. Sometimes Papa Paige even tags in to help.
This dessert request was no different. When brainstorming March recipes, I shared my Little Havana experience with Mama Paige - specifically the delectable guava and cream cheese pastries. I wasn’t asking her to make pastries, but I hoped to include a similar recipe in the March Collection. Of course, she did not disappoint. These bars are just the right amount of sweet– just like the pastries I had on my trip. Only, they are completely dairy-free.
I’d always heard about guava but never had the opportunity to try it. When I learned that we would get the chance to taste guava pastries on the food tour in Miami, I was excited to give the tropical fruit a try. The fruit wasn’t too sweet – it’s like a mashup of a pear and a strawberry. Now, you understand why I wanted Mama Paige to create a guava recipe for the blog. It is a great treat for breakfast or dessert.
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Let’s get into the Recipe!
Start by preheating the oven to 350F. While the oven is heating, grease sides of 9 x 13 inch pan with plant-based butter. Cover the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Yes, you need the parchment paper. It will help to ensure the bars will not stick to the bottom of the pan. Set prepared pan to the side.
Now, let’s get to the layers. Add plant-based butter, white sugar, orange juice, and a ½ tablespoon of orange zest to a large bowl. Use a mixer to blend until fluffy. Pause to add salt and flour to the batter. Continue blending until a soft dough has formed. Pour dough into the prepared pan. Dust the top of the dough with the remaining tablespoon for orange zest. Then, add a layer of guava paste atop the layer of dough. The easiest way to do this is by cutting the paste into ¼ inch thick slices. Then, add the slices on top of the dough.
Next, it is time for the crumble. My favorite part! In a medium bowl, mix oats, plant-based butter, salt, brown sugar, and flour. Mix until crumbly. Add crumble topping on top of the guava paste - bake for 45 minutes. After removing from the oven, let the bars cool slightly before cutting. Store in the refrigerator in a covered container. The bars will last up to a week in the refrigerator if covered properly.
Tropical Guava Bars
Ingredients
- 1 C. plant-based butter
- ½ C. white sugar
- 1 Tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 Tbsp + ½ Tsp orange zest
- 1 Tsp salt
- 2 C. all-purpose flour
- 1 pound Guava Paste, sliced about ¼ inch thick
- 1 C. old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ C. plant-based butter
- ½ Tsp salt
- ½ C. dark brown sugar
- 1 C. all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 350F degrees.
- Grease sides of 9 x 13 inch pan, cover bottom of pan with parchment paper.
- Use a mixer to blend 1 Cup Butter, 1/3 Cup White Sugar, ½ teaspoon Orange Zest, 1 Tablespoon Orange Juice until fluffy. Add 1 Teaspoon of Salt and 2 Cups Flour and continue mixing until well blended and a soft dough has formed.
- Press dough into your prepared pan. Dust the top of the dough with 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest.
- Top dough with sliced Guava Paste.
- Make crumb topping by mixing 1 Cup Oats, ½ Cup Butter, ½ Teaspoon Salt, ½ Cup Brown Sugar, and 1 Cup Oats. Mix until well blended. Mixture will be crumbly. Add crumble topping to the top of the guava paste.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Cool before slicing.
