Valentine's day is almost here! Who is going to be your Valentine? Mine are my hubby and children... who are craaaaazy for cupcakes. Since such a special occasion deserves an exquisite treat, then decadent and romantic Romeo and Juliet Cupcakes is what we will be having for this year. We are also celebrating our third blog anniversary on February 6th -- with cupcakes, of course!
Our Romeo and Juliet cupcakes consist of moist chocolate cupcakes filled with melted guava paste and topped with a cream cheese and guava frosting ...
I know, I know!!! You might be asking: "OK!!! That may be so, but why are they named Romeo and Juliet though?" Well, in Brazil Romeo & Juliet (Romeo e Julieta) means more than just characters from Shakespeare’s drama. It is also a term to describe the perfect combination of cheese and guava… For us, like the characters in the play, they were made for each other, although unlike the classic love story, this ending is quite a happy one. 🙂
In my home country, cheese and guava is as popular a pairing as peanut butter and jelly in the U.S. Got it?! 🙂
If you have a WHO valentine, award him/her with this scrumptious treat. If you don't, you still can have a WHAT valentine....these Romeo and Juliet cupcakes will be love at first bite!
Wishing you and your Valentine a very delicious day!!
“Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.”
(William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
Romeo and Juliet Cupcakes
Ingredients
- For the Romeo and Juliet cupcake batter:
- Homemade chocolate cupcake recipe or use a chocolate cupcake mix of your choice
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 32 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 16 ounces unsalted butter or 4 sticks , cut into chunks, at room temperature
- 4-6 cups powdered sugar to taste
- 2-4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- For the Guava Paste "Jelly" Swirl:
- 16 oz guava paste cut into chunks (guava paste is available at Latin markets and also in the Latin aisle of some Walmart supermarkets)
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons Port wine optional
- NOTE: If you would like to fill cupcakes with the guava paste jelly, increase quantity of ingredients described above for the guava paste "jelly" recipe by ¼ to ½.
Instructions
To prepare Romeo and Juliet cupcakes batter:
- Follow the instructions in the link, or from a chocolate cupcake mix of your choice.
Prepare the cream cheese frosting:
- Place room temperature cream cheese and butter in a standing mixer bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or until mixture is light, fluffy, and well blended. Beat in powdered sugar on slow speed until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla extract beating until incorporated (about 30 seconds).
To prepare the guava paste swirl:
- Place the chopped guava paste, water, and Port wine (optional) in a small nonstick pan. Let boil for 3-5 minutes over medium high heat or until guava paste chunks have softened.
- Then, mash the guava paste chunks with a potato masher or fork until chunks melt.
- Next, stir with a wooden spoon until mixture is reasonably homogeneous although tiny chunks will remain (Great! Because when piped one can taste the guava paste). However, if you prefer mixture to be completely smooth, blend in a blender until no pieces are found. Pour into a ramekin or small bowl and let come to room temperature.
- If you would like to fill the Romeo and Juliet cupcakes with guava paste "jelly," open a medium hole (starting from the top to the middle -- don't go all the way to the bottom) in the center of each cupcake and fill/pipe in a good amount of the frosting or "jelly." Using a closed star tip or other tip of your preference, pipe the swirled frosting on top of cupcake. In order to produce swirling of the frosting, spoon the cream cheese frosting into one side of the piping bag and the guava jelly paste into the other side. Refrigerate! Decorate Romeo and Juliet cupcakes as desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
What a scrumptious story and flavor pairing! I know your family will enjoy these delightful cupcakes, they are wonderful Denise!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Deb! I wish your V-day be special and happy...
Amira says
These are really very scrumptious treats.. love them. The combination of guava,chocolate and cheese is quite new to me. I've never tried this before. Happy valentine my dear.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Amira! Happy Valentine's Day to you as well!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
How cute are these?!? Happy Valentine's Day, Denise 🙂
Gourmet Getaways says
Cheese and guava! Haven't tried this, but look interesting and reeaally tempting! Love the colours!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Sugar et al. says
These cupcakes are adorable and perfect for Valentine's Day. I am so intrigued by the combination..I can bet it's gorgeous! Wish I could get them from my valentine-s..they would make my day:-)
Winnie says
These are absolutely BEAUTIFUL !!
I love the combination of flavors
Coffee and Crumpets says
Happy Blogiversary!! I'm so glad we met through this world of blogging and that we actually have had the pleasure of meeting in person. I look forward to seeing you again 🙂
These cupcakes are gorgeous, perfect for celebrating!
Here's to many more years, Denise!
Nazneen xx
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot, Nazneen! I am happy that we got to meet each other. I hope we can see each other soon. Wishing your gorgeous and delicious blog many more years to come... and to you and your husband a very Happy V-day!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Happy Blogiversary! Congrats -- your blog is wonderful! As is this recipe -- very creative, and perfect for Valentine's Day. Thanks!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Your cupcake looks so moist!!!
Happy valentine's and happy 3rd anniversary!!!
Raymund says
Perfect to make for this coming Valentines, beautiful recipe
Juliana says
Yum! I love anything Romeu e Julieta...the cupcakes are adorable Denise...perfect for the Valentine's day.
Hope you are enjoying your week my dear 🙂
Purabi Naha / Cosmopolitan Currymania says
Romen and juliet cupcakes with guava filling sounds so good to me! Denise, these cupcakes are unique. Thanks for sharing!
marcela says
Wow! What a lovely cupcakes, Denise! I must bake ones for my boyfriend.He's gonna love them! Thanks for sharing!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Dear, A very happy Blog-anniversary, wow 3 yrs!!
I am so deeply thankful for meeting you through our blogs, you are an awesome person.
Now, to these cute cupcakes. Love it. Happy Week and A very Happy Valetines day Hugs.
francesca says
guava paste! i need to find this!
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Well... it is times like this I am grateful I dont have a special someone, sharing these delightful little love cakes just wouldnt work. LOL! 🙂 I shall whip up a batch for little ol me.
Wishing you a wonderful week and a fantastic Valentines Day.
Cheers,
Anna
Little Cooking Tips says
We found some time to visit and enjoy your beautiful posts and of course we were not dissappointed!:) Amazing photos (again), rendering you totally powerless to resist !:)
Thank you Denise!
Love,
Panos and Mirella
xoxoxo
Denise Browning says
Panos and Mirella:
Thank you both for visiting my blog. I know life is busy and also crazy many times. I can empathize with you!
I don't know when Valentine's Day is celebrated on Greece -- but I am wishing you both a very happy and delicious V-day anyway. 🙂 Enjoy your day! xoxo