Deditos de Novia, or Sugar-Coated Guava Biscuits, are a delightful treat that will transport you straight to a cozy bakery in Latin America. With their tender, buttery texture and the sweet, tropical flavor of guava, these biscuits are perfect for any occasion. Whether you are hosting a tea party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply craving a sweet snack, these biscuits will surely impress. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe and create some magic in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Deditos de Novia are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. The combination of rich butter, sweet guava paste, and a light dusting of powdered sugar creates a biscuit that is both satisfying and comforting. The dough comes together quickly, and the baking process fills your home with an irresistible aroma. Plus, they look beautiful on any dessert table, making them a fantastic choice for gatherings.
Shopping List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – This will form the base of your biscuits.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder – For that perfect rise.
- 1 cup milk – Whole or skim, to create a tender texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract – For a hint of flavor.
- 1 cup salted butter – At room temperature for easy mixing.
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar – Adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- 1 cup guava paste – The star ingredient, providing sweetness and tropical flair.
- 1 cup powdered white sugar – For coating the biscuits.
- Extra flour – For dusting your work surface.
What You’ll Need (Gear)
- Mixing bowls – For combining ingredients.
- Whisk – To mix dry ingredients evenly.
- Baking sheet – For baking the biscuits.
- Rolling pin – To roll out the dough.
- Cookie cutters – For cutting out the biscuits, although you can also use a simple knife for squares.
- Cooling rack – To cool the biscuits after baking.
Deditos de Novia (Sugar-Coated Guava Biscuits): How It’s Done
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients on the countertop. Make sure your butter is at room temperature, which makes it easier to cream with the sugars. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s hot and ready for your biscuits.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This will help to aerate the flour and ensure an even distribution of the baking powder throughout the dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In another bowl, cream the room-temperature salted butter with the brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. The mixture should be pale in color and have a soft, airy texture.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, add the milk and vanilla (or almond extract) to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined. The mixture may look a bit curdled, but that’s perfectly fine.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the biscuits tender.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, turn out the dough and gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
Step 7: Cut and Fill
Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut out shapes from the dough. Place half of the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Take a small piece of guava paste and place it in the center of each biscuit. Top with another biscuit shape, sealing the edges gently to avoid leaking.
Step 8: Bake the Biscuits
Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary.
Step 9: Sugar Coating
Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet. While they are still warm, roll each biscuit in powdered sugar until fully coated. This gives them a beautiful finish and extra sweetness.
Holiday-Friendly Variations
- Chocolate Deditos: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dough for a chocolatey twist.
- Nutty Surprise: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds into the filling for added crunch.
- Fruit Fillings: Experiment with other fruit pastes such as mango or raspberry.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Mix ground cinnamon with powdered sugar for a warm spice flavor.
What I Learned Testing
- Using room temperature butter is crucial for achieving a light and fluffy texture.
- Don’t skip the cooling step before rolling in powdered sugar; it helps the sugar adhere better.
- Guava paste can be substituted with other fruit pastes, but the flavor will change accordingly.
- Experimenting with different extracts (like coconut) can add a unique flavor profile to the biscuits.
How to Store & Reheat
Deditos de Novia can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. To reheat, place them in a warm oven for a few minutes to bring back their delightful texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a small pinch of salt to the dry ingredients for flavor balance.
What if I can’t find guava paste?
If guava paste is unavailable, you can use other fruit pastes or even homemade fruit preserves, but keep in mind that the flavor will differ.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to two days before rolling and baking the biscuits.
How can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for the best results.
Similar Recipes
Ready, Set, Cook
Now that you have all the details on making Deditos de Novia (Sugar-Coated Guava Biscuits), it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get baking! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll create a batch of these delightful biscuits that are sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process, and don’t forget to share with friends and family. Happy baking!
Deditos de Novia (Sugar-Coated Guava Biscuits)
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Baking Sheet
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutters
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup milk whole or skim
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract for a hint of flavor
- 1 cup salted butter at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup guava paste
- 1 cup powdered white sugar for coating the biscuits
- extra flour for dusting your work surface
Instructions
- Start by gathering all your ingredients on the countertop. Make sure your butter is at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to aerate and mix evenly.
- In another bowl, cream the room-temperature salted butter with the brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes on medium speed using an electric mixer.
- Add the milk and vanilla or almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined, even if it looks slightly curdled.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep biscuits tender.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times until it comes together. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters or knife. Place half the shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place a small piece of guava paste in the center of each biscuit, then top with another biscuit shape, sealing edges gently.
- Bake the biscuits for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove biscuits from oven and let cool slightly. While still warm, roll each biscuit in powdered sugar until fully coated.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for a light and fluffy biscuit texture.
- Allow biscuits to cool slightly before coating in powdered sugar to help sugar adhere better.
- Substitute guava paste with other fruit pastes for different flavors.
