This Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is rich, creamy, and packed with tropical bakery-style flavor. Soft brioche bread is soaked in a silky vanilla custard and layered with sweet guava paste and creamy cheesecake-like pockets of cream cheese for the ultimate comforting dessert. Inspired by classic Cuban guava pastries, this baked bread pudding has a golden caramelized top with a soft custardy center that tastes incredible warm or chilled.

If you love tropical desserts, cheesecake flavors, or cozy make-ahead brunch recipes, this guava cream cheese bread pudding is guaranteed to become a favorite. The combination of buttery brioche, tangy cream cheese, and vibrant guava creates a unique dessert that feels both nostalgic and bakery-worthy. Perfect for holidays, brunch tables, family gatherings, or late-night dessert cravings, this easy bread pudding recipe delivers rich flavor and beautiful presentation with minimal effort.

💗 Why You’ll Love This Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

Rich Tropical Bakery Flavor

This guava cream cheese bread pudding combines buttery brioche, sweet guava paste, and creamy cheesecake-style filling for a dessert inspired by classic guava pastries.

Soft Custardy Center

The bread soaks up a silky vanilla custard, creating a tender, creamy texture while the top bakes golden and lightly crisp.

Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert

This easy bread pudding recipe reheats beautifully and tastes even better after the guava and cream cheese flavors blend together overnight.

Great for Brunch or Dessert

Serve this tropical bread pudding warm for dessert, chilled for a bakery-style treat, or as a sweet brunch casserole for holidays and gatherings.

Unique and Memorable

The combination of guava, cream cheese, and brioche makes this dessert feel special, colorful, and different from traditional bread pudding recipes.

🧈 Ingredient Notes for Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

Brioche or Challah Bread

Rich buttery breads like brioche or challah work best for this guava cream cheese bread pudding because they absorb the custard beautifully while still holding their shape during baking. Slightly dried bread creates the perfect creamy texture without becoming soggy.

Guava Paste

Firm guava paste gives this tropical bread pudding its signature fruity flavor and bakery-style texture. Dice the guava paste into small pieces so it distributes evenly throughout the casserole.

Cream Cheese

Full-fat cream cheese creates creamy cheesecake-like pockets throughout the bread pudding. Keep the cream cheese cold before mixing so it stays soft and rich after baking.

Whole Milk and Heavy Cream

The combination of whole milk and heavy cream creates a silky custard that keeps the bread pudding rich, creamy, and perfectly soft.

Lime Zest and Lime Juice

Fresh lime brightens the tropical guava flavor and balances the sweetness of the custard for a more vibrant dessert.

Almond Extract

A small amount of almond extract enhances the bakery-style flavor and pairs beautifully with the guava and cream cheese.

Turbinado and Sanding Sugar

These sugars create a lightly crackly caramelized topping that adds texture and gives the bread pudding a professional bakery-style finish.

🍞 How to Make Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

Dry the Bread

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spread the brioche or challah bread cubes onto a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until lightly dried but not browned. This helps the bread absorb the custard without becoming soggy.

Make the Guava Glaze

Combine the guava paste, water, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring often, until the guava paste melts into a smooth, glossy glaze. Set aside while you prepare the bread pudding.

Prepare the Cream Cheese

Toss the cold cream cheese cubes with a small amount of flour. This helps the cream cheese stay in soft cheesecake-like pockets throughout the bread pudding instead of disappearing into the custard.

Assemble the Bread Mixture

Add the dried bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Gently fold in the cream cheese cubes and diced guava paste, being careful not to compress the bread.

Make the Custard

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, kosher salt, lime zest, lime juice, and melted butter until smooth.

Soak the Bread

Pour the custard over the bread mixture and gently fold until evenly coated. Let the mixture rest for 20 minutes, folding once halfway through, so the bread absorbs the custard evenly.

Layer and Swirl

Transfer the soaked bread mixture loosely into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Drizzle the guava glaze over the top and gently marble it with a knife. Sprinkle the turbinado sugar and sanding sugar evenly over the surface.

Bake Until Golden

Bake the guava cream cheese bread pudding for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are puffed, and the center jiggles slightly but is not wet. Tent loosely with foil near the end if the top browns too quickly.

Cool and Serve

Let the bread pudding cool for 20 to 25 minutes before serving. This allows the custard to finish setting and makes the dessert easier to slice cleanly.

⭐ Pro Tips for the Best Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

Use Slightly Dried Bread

Lightly drying the brioche or challah bread before soaking helps the custard absorb evenly and prevents soggy bread pudding. The bread should feel dry on the outside but still soft inside.

Keep the Cream Cheese Cold

Cold cream cheese cubes hold their shape better while baking and create rich cheesecake-like pockets throughout the dessert.

Do Not Overmix

Fold the custard gently into the bread mixture so the brioche cubes keep their structure. Overmixing can break down the bread and create a dense texture.

Do Not Pack the Bread Into the Pan

Loosely layering the bread mixture into the baking dish allows steam to circulate properly and helps the bread pudding bake evenly with a creamy center.

Watch the Center Carefully

The center should still jiggle slightly when removed from the oven, similar to cheesecake. Overbaking can dry out the custard and make the bread pudding firm instead of creamy.

Use Firm Guava Paste

Firm guava paste works much better than guava jam because it creates concentrated tropical flavor without adding excess moisture to the custard.

Let It Rest Before Serving

Allow the guava cream cheese bread pudding to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This helps the custard finish setting and improves the texture.

Add Extra Guava Glaze for Bakery Shine

For a glossy bakery-style finish, lightly brush the warm bread pudding with extra guava glaze right after baking.

🍓 Variations for Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

Guava Coconut Bread Pudding

Add ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut to the bread mixture for extra tropical flavor and chewy texture.

Guava Cheesecake Bread Pudding

Add an extra 2 ounces of cream cheese and reduce the milk by 2 tablespoons for a richer cheesecake-style bread pudding.

Guava White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Fold ½ cup white chocolate chips into the bread mixture for a sweeter, creamier dessert that pairs beautifully with guava paste.

Guava Pineapple Bread Pudding

Add ½ cup well-drained crushed pineapple for a bright tropical twist. Make sure to drain it well so the custard does not become too loose.

Guava Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Use cubed cinnamon rolls instead of brioche for a sweeter brunch-style version with warm bakery flavor.

Guava Berry Bread Pudding

Add ½ cup diced strawberries or raspberries for a fruity variation with extra color and tartness.

Guava Croissant Bread Pudding

Use day-old croissants instead of brioche for an extra buttery, flaky, bakery-style guava bread pudding.

🧊 Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover guava cream cheese bread pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The custard stays creamy and the tropical guava flavor becomes even more developed overnight.

How to Reheat

Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds or warm larger portions in a 300°F oven until heated through. Cover loosely with foil when reheating in the oven to prevent the top from becoming too dark.

Make Ahead Instructions

You can fully assemble the bread pudding the night before baking. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking the next day.

Freezing Instructions

Wrap the cooled bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Best Texture Tips

For the best bakery-style texture, reheat leftovers gently and avoid overheating, which can dry out the custard. A fresh brush of warm guava glaze after reheating helps refresh the flavor and appearance.

❓ Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding FAQ

Can I use guava jam instead of guava paste?

Yes, but guava paste is recommended for the best texture. Guava jam is softer and contains more moisture, so reduce the milk by 2 tablespoons if using jam instead.

What bread is best for guava cream cheese bread pudding?

Brioche and challah are the best choices because they are rich, soft, and sturdy enough to absorb the custard without falling apart.

Can I make this bread pudding ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the bread pudding the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking.

How do I know when bread pudding is done baking?

The top should be golden, the edges should be puffed, and the center should jiggle slightly but not look wet. The custard will continue to set as it cools.

Can I freeze guava cream cheese bread pudding?

Yes. Let the bread pudding cool completely, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Why is my bread pudding soggy?

Bread pudding can turn soggy if the bread is too fresh, the mixture is packed too tightly into the pan, or the custard is underbaked. Lightly drying the bread first helps prevent this.

Can I use croissants instead of brioche?

Yes. Day-old croissants make a buttery, flaky version of this guava bread pudding. Because croissants are very rich, avoid adding extra butter to the recipe.

Should guava cream cheese bread pudding be served warm or cold?

This dessert is delicious warm, chilled, or room temperature. Warm bread pudding has a softer custard texture, while chilled bread pudding slices more cleanly.

🌴 More Tropical Recipes You’ll Love

If you loved this Guava Cream Cheese Bread Pudding, here are a few more tropical and guava-inspired recipes from Sugar Cloud Baking that are packed with fruity bakery-style flavor.

Guava Lemonade Soda

This refreshing guava lemonade soda is sweet, citrusy, bubbly, and perfect for pairing with tropical desserts and summer brunch recipes.

Guava Coconut Cheesecake

Creamy cheesecake layered with tropical guava and coconut flavor for a rich bakery-style dessert with a smooth tropical finish.

Guava Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Soft buttery cookies filled with sweet guava and finished with coconut for an easy tropical cookie recipe.

Guava BBQ Chicken Wings

Sticky sweet and savory guava BBQ chicken wings with bold tropical flavor and caramelized glaze.

Guava Cream Cheese Cookies

These soft guava cream cheese cookies are rich, fruity, and inspired by classic guava pastries with creamy cheesecake flavor.