Transport your taste buds to the tropics with these delectable Guava Bars, a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and fruity tanginess. Featuring a tender shortbread crust, a luscious layer of rich guava paste infused with a hint of citrusy lemon, and a golden oatmeal crumble topping, these bars are as irresistible as they are easy to make. With just 20 minutes of prep time, they’re an ideal dessert or snack for picnics, potlucks, or satisfying your sweet tooth. Perfectly portioned into 16 squares, these bars highlight the exotic flavor of guava while providing a satisfying texture in every bite. Serve them as-is or pair with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat. These tropical-inspired guava bars will quickly become a household favorite—and they’re ready to impress!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer.
Mix in the vanilla extract and salt. Gradually add in the flour, and mix until the dough forms. Reserve 1 cup of this dough for the topping.
Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Use your hands or the flat bottom of a measuring cup to smooth the surface.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the guava paste and lemon juice. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until the guava paste becomes soft and spreadable.
Spread the guava paste evenly over the crust layer in the baking dish using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
To the reserved dough, mix in the rolled oats to create the topping. Crumble this mixture evenly over the guava layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the baking dish. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the dish once cooled.
Cut into 16 bars and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Calories |
4394 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.7 g | 137% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.5 g | 288% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 1243 mg | 54% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 831.1 g | 302% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.5 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 543.0 g | ||
| Protein | 43.4 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 204 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 1114 mg | 24% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.