Guava Cake is a tasty, traditional Hawaiian dessert. It is a guava flavored cake with a whipped cream cheese layer and guava gel glaze. Easy and delicious!
Hawaiian Guava Cake
Guava cake is a dessert that is often served at restaurants throughout Hawaii. When I worked at the bakery in Hawaii we would often make this for catered events. It was always a huge it. In my opinion, it tastes best when it has chilled for a long time. I actually think that it tastes best after it has chilled overnight.
Nectar vs. Juice:
Guava juice and guava nectar are pretty similar. You can use either one in this recipe. Nectar is a little thicker than guava juice but guava juice still works fine. I was able to find guava nectar at my local grocery store in the refrigerated juice section. If all you can find is a guava nectar blend (passion-guava, guava strawberry etc.) that is totally ok, too.
Substitutions and Additions:
If you don’t have or can’t find strawberry cake mix, you can always use white or yellow cake mix instead. I like using the strawberry because it complements the guava flavor but either of those other flavors work too. You can also swap out the coconut oil for canola or vegetable oil if you would like as well. I like the faint hint of coconut that the coconut oil gives because really isn’t too overpowering and just gives it a little added flavor dimension. Finally, if you were looking to add a little more, you can add sliced strawberries to the top to make it look a little fancier. You just can’t go wrong with guava and strawberry!
Looking for more tasty Hawaiian or island inspired desserts? Check these out!
- Hawaiian Wedding Cake: Hawaiian Wedding Cake starts with a simple cake mix. Add a splash of coconut and pineapple and it becomes a refreshing cake that tastes like a piña colada.
- Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting: This Coconut Cream Cake is a coconut lovers dream! It is a coconut infused cake, with a rich and creamy coconut cream cheese frosting, sprinkled with even more toasted coconut. You will be in coconut heaven with every bite.
- Caribbean Coconut Fudge Bars: These Caribbean Coconut Fudge Bars can’t be beat! A soft oatmeal cookie crust with chocolate fudge and gooey coconut topping- an instant favorite!
- Orange Pineapple Cake: Orange Pineapple cake is a light, fruity cake with an island flair. You will love the delicious whipped creamy topping! Perfect for potlucks and parties!
How To Make Hawaiian Guava Cake
Ingredients
- 1 strawberry cake mix
- 1 1/3 c. guava nectar or guava juice
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 c. coconut oil room temp (liquid)
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1/3 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 8 oz. Cool Whip thawed
For the Guava Gel Topping:
- 2 c. guava nectar or guava juice
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/4 c. cornstarch
- 3 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, mix together cake mix, guava juice, eggs, and coconut oil until well combined.
- Bake in a 9x13 glass baking dish according to cake mix package directions.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with hand mixer until fluffy.
- Add sugar and vanilla and mix well.
- Slowly fold in the Cool Whip and refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the 2 cups guava juice and sugar to a boil.
- Make a slurry out of the cornstarch and a small amount of water.
- Remove guava juice from heat and stir in the cornstarch mixture.
- Return to heat and bring back to a boil and boil for one minute. Cool in refrigerator.
- When cake has cooled, spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cake.
- Glaze the top of the cake with guava gel. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch pan
Jill says
My husband, who was born and raised in Oahu, HI, is allergic to coconut and pineapple. Can this be made with any other oil than coconut oil?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes, we have substitution ideas above in the writing where it says “Substitutions and Additions”… you can use vegetable oil with no problem
Carol says
Use Crisco
Stephanie says
This recipe turned out wonderfully and smelled delicious while cooking! Thanks for sharing!
Favorite Family Recipes says
So glad you liked it!
Christy Losi says
It came out pretty Awesome and My Family absolutely LOVE this recipe. MUCH ALOHA🤙🏼
Erica Walker says
MAHALO and Aloha to you! 😀 So glad you liked the guava cake!
Angelique Gladstone says
Can these be made as cupcakes?
Favorite Family Recipes says
The cake could be, but the frosting and gel wouldn’t work on a cupcake. You add the gel when it’s a bit runny and then it sets. It would just run off the side of a cupcake.
Paige says
I actually made guava cupcakes by creating little wells in the icing on each one, and I filled the wells with the gel and it was awesome! It was for a baby shower for a coworker who was from Hawaii. I didn’t know what I signed up for when I found out her favorite cake was “guava cake,” but I made it work!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Can I make it very far ahead of time?
Favorite Family Recipes says
You could probably get away with making it up to 2 days ahead. Hope this helps!
Jo Ann Tweed says
Is this the same recipe that the Delite bakery used? They are out of business now
Favorite Family Recipes says
Hmmm I have never heard of Delite Bakery. Was this a Hawaiian bakery?
Marvin says
Dee Lite Bakery was bought out by Saint-Germain Bakery in the early nineties. Saint-Germain just closed all its location in late 2018. Dee Lite made the best guava chiffon cakes, along with haupia and lilikoi chiffon cakes. Dee Lite was located on Dillingham Blvd., not too far away from the airport. It was a regular stop for me, after visiting family, to take back to the mainland. When Saint-Germain took over, the quality of the cakes went way down.
I will have to give this recipe a try with hopes of it being close to the Dee Lite version.
Erica says
Hi Marvin- Yes, we would love to hear how well it compares to the brand you are familiar with. I have never heard of Dee Lite bakery but it sounds wonderful! I’m only sorry I couldn’t try it when it was still owned by the old owners. Thank you for your comment!
Karen says
There’s a recipe on NY Times adapted from Alana Kysar‘s recipe that also mentioned Dee Lite Bakery’s guava cake. It doesn’t use a box strawberry cake mix. Google it to compare.
Carol Uyeda says
When using the frozen guava juice, do you dilute with water first or are you using guava juice from the carton like Meadow Gold brand?
Favorite Family Recipes says
You use the juice from the carton, not the concentrate. Meadow Gold and Hawaiian Sun both carry it. Thanks for asking!
Pauline Gato says
My favorite cake tried it in Hawaiian and loved it gotta try this recipe thanks for shareing
Jan says
Could these be made as cupcakes? Thank you
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes, absolutely, just check your baking times and reduce as needed. Hope this helps!
Monica Aldana says
Is the gel stiff enough to go over frosting of a cupcake and not drizzle down? Making them now for a Hawaiian themed birthday! Costco has the guava nectar currently in large juice containers. 🙂
Erica Walker says
You might be able to get away with putting it on cupcakes if you do it on the thin side. I think if you do it thick it will drizzle down. Hope this helps!
Monica Aldana says
I ended up refrigerating the gel until it was very cold and piping it on. Worked great!
Gail E Cardenas says
This cake is so delicious. My next try is a white cake mix with either lilikoi or passion fruit nectar.
Stephanie says
My friend’s mom used to make something similar. She was from Hawaii and we were in a rural town in Colorado 20+ years ago. She used Guava baby food. It was the only form she could fine. And it was amazing. Thank you for bringing back a warm memory.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Baby food?? Wow! Interesting! Once I get over the fact that it is baby food, I am sure it would actually taste great! I mean, why not?? I guess ultimately it is just pureed fruit! Maybe she’s on to something!
Deborah says
How long is it good to keep in fridge?
Kelsey Crist says
My rule for keeping things in the fridge is usually about a week.
Ruth says
I made the guava and it was a success…do you think it could be made with mango nectar and if so what would you suggest as far as measure of sugar ratios?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t tried that variation of this recipe so I am not sure how it affects the taste or texture. Let me know how it goes if you do try it!
Kolohe says
Now that sounds onolicious…I’m gonna have to try that…use yellow cake mix, I would also smash some mango n juice for cake and do the same with the gel but instead switch the guava for mango n puts some smashed mango in there too…yummy
Kris says
I bringing little bit of Aloha to NY this Christmas! Can’t wait to see how it turns out! I have it in the oven and it smells delicious. Thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
I hope you guys love it as much as we do! Merry Christmas!!
SARA WATT says
I HAVE A RECIPE THAT I BROUGHT BACK FROM HAWAII 5O SOME YEARS AGO THAT I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE HOWEVER I CANNOT FIND THE FROZEN JUICE HERE IN ARIZONA. I BOUGHT SOME GUAVA PASTE BUT I NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH PASTE TO USE TO COPY THE FROZEN JUICE I ALWAS USED. ANY SUGGESTIONS? IT WAS A LUNCHEON DESSERT LIKE THE TEA CAKE AND SO WONDERFUL HAD MAC NUTS ON TOP OF IT RECIPE CALLED FOR AN UNDILUTED 6 OZ SWEETENED CAN GUAVA JUICE HELP THANKS
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t used the paste in the place of the juice before so I’m not sure of the ratios to advise. Sorry not much help here!
Ku'ulei says
My cousin and I live far from our home in Hawaii. This past Christmas, we decided to do a full on local-style feast, and I stumbled across this recipe. It all came together pretty easily, and my cousin’s first bite brought tears to her eyes. It was such a blast of home, of intense nostalgia. I cannot recommend it more, whether you’re from the islands or want a taste of what makes Hawaii so amazing. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe.
Erica Walker says
Hi Ku’ulei – Thank you so much for this beautiful comment! You just made my day! I am so happy to hear that this recipe brought back fond memories for you and your cousin. It warms my heart reading comments like this. This is exactly why we do what we do. We love bringing back fond memories of food and family 🙂 Thank you again for taking the time to come back and comment!
Anita Marcoff says
Can this cake be frozen? I made it yesterday for a Hawaiian Party and the hostess came down with strep throat. We are aiming for next weekend.
Erica Walker says
Yes! You can freeze this before you frost it. Just wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap if you can or keep it in an air-tight container. Hope this helps! Hope she gets feeling better soon!
Anita Marcoff says
Can this cake be frozen?
Erica Walker says
Yes you can freeze it before putting the topping on. You will want to put the topping on fresh before serving. Hope this helps!
Jessy says
Wow! I absolutely fell in love with this recipe. The whole house smelled delicious with every step of it. Once the cake was baking, I started making the guava glaze and let me tell you…this really dragged, pull, or magically placed my family in my kitchen. The aromas were incredible! Finally, it was time serve. We devour the cake. No words can deeply explain how good it is. Just try it!!!
Emily Walker says
Thank you so much for your kind review, I’m so glad you loved it!
Aly says
Woah this cake is delicious!
Alexa Adams says
What a pleasant surprise and so delicious! I’ve shared this recipe with my loved ones. I’m putting this in my arsenal of best desserts to bring to holidays and parties in general, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Emily Walker says
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for the nice comment!
Charlene says
Can this be made in a 12-inch springform pan?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t made it that way, but let me know how it goes if you try it!
Nadine says
Is the sugar for icing powdered or granulated sugar. Thank you
Favorite Family Recipes says
Granulated sugar!
Rosa Vang says
Spread the frosting on the cooled cake, using an offset spatula to smooth it over the edges. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Cut into 24 pieces and serve immediately. If using guava juice, reduce it: Boil two liters of juice over high heat until it’s reduced by half, about 40 minutes. Let cool completely before using. Avoid juices that contain any added sugar so the cake does not become overly sweet. Ms. Kysar likes Ceres brand guava juice.
Haunani says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Have you or do you have a recipe for Rainbow Cake? I’m not looking for a regular cake with the colors of the rainbow. I’m looking for the Rainbow cake that DeeLite used to sell or that Liliha Bakery sells. It’s coming harder and harder to find this cake and I would love to make it for the hubby since it’s his favorite cake.
Favorite Family Recipes says
We don’t, but I’ll have to look into it!
Marie S. says
I live in the Bay Area CA and had a difficult time finding the guava juice/purée and especially the Duncan Hines Strawberry cake mix. Reading the directions and comments I made my cake. Turned out DELICIOUS. I made the cake for my birthday and everyone that celebrated with me, adults and children alike, all loved it. Thank you for the recipe.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I am so glad that you liked the recipe! Thank you so much for the 5-star rating!
Bunny Peters says
My family loves this cake!!! It’s required for birthdays and holidays!!!
We also make it for our special hosted events. I have made this cake for groups of 100-300 and gotten loads of compliments (as well as people begging for any leftovers)!!!
I have made this cake in Wilton’s fancy cake molds (hearts, flowers, paw prints) as well as mini and full sized cupcakes. No matter the shape/size of this cake, it’s a wonderful treat and very loved by all who try it😀😀😀
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you so much for sharing your review!! We are so flattered!!
Debbie says
This looks incredibly beautiful! I would love to make this for my granddaughter’s birthday – pink being her favorite color!
Any thoughts on the idea of baking in two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans and layering once they have completely set? Maybe do something light like whipped cream around the outside or leave bare like the new “naked style” cakes?
Just brainstorming before I start hunting down the ingredients here in Cali! Thanks again!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t made it as a layer cake before so I’m not sure how it would hold up. It is a softer cake texture, so I would be hesitant to try stacking it.
Marie S. says
Made this cake twice. Both times came out 😋 delicious. I used yellow cake mix with vegetable oil and added red food coloring. Second time white cake mix with coconut oil, red food coloring, texture denser than the first. Both were good. Couldn’t find Duncan Hines Strawberry cake mix here in Calif.
Sam says
Can you use frozen concentrate guava to make this?
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t tried it that way before, but let us know how it turns out if you do try it!
Leialoha says
Sooo delicious!
Easy to follow recipe is what made it easy for me to make. This dessert is a hit. Thank you so much
Sue says
Amazing! This cake turned out absolutely amazing. I brought it to a cookout and everyone said how delicious it tasted, and they all ate HUGE pieces. Thanks so much. I used a fresh guava syrup that I made from a Barbie guava a few days prior, so it had pieces of guava in the glaze. Really want to thank you for how wonderful the recipe is.