Creamy Guava Swirl Cheesecake (Printable)

Rich and creamy cheesecake with tangy guava marmalade swirled throughout, nestled on a buttery Maria cookie crust for a tropical dessert experience.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 2 cups Maria cookies or digestive biscuits, crushed
02 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

→ Cheesecake Filling

04 - 1.3 pounds cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lime, optional

→ Guava Swirl

10 - 7 ounces guava marmalade or paste
11 - 2 tablespoons water, as needed

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 320°F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
02 - Crush Maria cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor. Mix with melted butter and 2 tablespoons sugar until evenly moistened.
03 - Press the crumb mixture firmly into the base of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool slightly.
04 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add sour cream, mixing well.
05 - Add eggs one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and lime zest if using.
06 - Pour the cream cheese filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top.
07 - In a small saucepan, gently heat the guava marmalade with 2 tablespoons water until loosened and pourable. If using paste, mash and stir until smooth.
08 - Drop spoonfuls of guava marmalade over the cheesecake batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the guava into the filling for a marbled effect.
09 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
10 - Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
11 - Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 3 hours or overnight before removing from the pan and slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like a fancy dessert but comes together with straightforward steps and no complicated techniques.
  • The guava swirl gives you that Instagram-worthy marbled look without any fussy plating required.
  • It's creamy, tart, and sweet all at once, hitting every flavor note your taste buds are craving.
02 -
  • Overmixing the filling after you add the eggs is the quickest way to trap too much air and create cracks; gentle is your friend here.
  • The center should look barely set when you pull it out of the oven—it continues to cook as it cools, and that's where the creamy texture comes from.
03 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't perfectly softened, let it sit out for 20 minutes instead of trying to rush it with heat—microwave softening can make it greasy.
  • The guava-to-cream cheese ratio is flexible; if you love guava, add more swirls; if you prefer subtlety, go lighter with it.
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