Masa Real

Masa Real

Don’t ask me to explain the name.  I’m told it has no real (ha! real… oh, nevermind I’m tired) translation.  But, make no mistake.  This is one of the best things you’ll ever put in your mouth.  Seriously.

In our experience and to the best of our knowledge, the term pastelitos usually refers to the puff pastries filled with guava or guava & cream cheese.  And, usually (but, not always), Masa Real tends to refer to a dense cake or cookie filled with guava.

Any Cubans out there?  Please let me know if I’ve lost something in transaltion.  Now, I’ll be getting back to my little squares of deliciousness filled with (still warm… yum!) guava heaven.

Masa Real
makes one 8×8″ square baking dish

2 cups AP flour
1 Tablespoon corn starch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

guava paste or guava jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder and cinnamon into a small bowl.  Set aside.

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Gently stir in dry ingredients.  Divide dough in half.  Spread the first half on the bottom of a 8×8 inch buttered baking dish.  Slice guava paste into 1/4 inch slices.  Place in a single layer over the soft batter.  Then, top with remaining batter.  Carefully spread batter to cover all of the guava paste.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.  Or until the top is golden and the center is firm to the touch.

Yum is the word.