Bocadillo Veleño Colombian Guava Paste Blocks

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

Bocadillo Veleño Colombian Guava Paste Blocks

A firm, sliceable sweet made by cooking guava pulp with sugar until it sets, cut into small blocks and wrapped. Our home version is cooked in a pot and wrapped in parchment or banana leaf. Makes 24 blocks in about 10 hr 10 min.

Prep 40 min

Cook 90 min

Cooling 8 hr

Total 10 hr 10 min

Yield 24 blocks

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

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blocks

2 ¼ lb (1000 g)ripe guavas, washed, chopped, seeds strained out
4 cups (800 g)granulated sugar, for the paste
2 tbsp (30 ml)lime juice
¾ cup (200 ml)water
1 pinchsalt
2 ½ tbsp (30 g)granulated sugar, for dusting, for the to finish

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Instructions

Simmer the guavas with the water 15 minutes until very soft. Press through a fine sieve to remove seeds and skin; you should have about 700 g smooth pulp.
Pour the pulp into a wide heavy pot. Add the sugar, lime juice and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat and cook, stirring constantly with a long spoon, 50 to 70 minutes. The mixture will bubble and spit, so wear an oven mitt.
It is ready when a spoon dragged across the bottom leaves a clear trail, a drop on a cold plate holds its shape, or the paste reaches 220 F (104 C).
Pour into a parchment-lined 8-inch (20 cm) square pan, smooth the top and let set at cool room temperature, uncovered, overnight.
Turn out, dust with sugar and cut into 24 small blocks, then wrap each in banana leaf or parchment.

Tips

Stir constantly near the end; the paste scorches easily.
Use a deep pot because the paste spatters.
Slice with a lightly oiled knife.
Hot sugar paste can cause burns. Refrigerate or freeze; this recipe is not for shelf-stable canning.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make bocadillo veleño colombian guava paste blocks?

Plan on 40 minutes of prep and 1 hour 30 minutes of cooking, plus 8 hours to chill. The recipe makes 24 blocks.

How should I store bocadillo veleño colombian guava paste blocks?

Wrap and keep in the refrigerator up to 1 month, or freeze up to 6 months. Refrigerate; do not store at room temperature for long periods.

Can I make bocadillo veleño colombian guava paste blocks ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Bocadillo veleño is a guava-paste sweet from Vélez in Santander, Colombia, traditionally wrapped in dried bijao leaf. Serve it with fresh white cheese or crackers.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

158 Calories / serving

0.4g Fat

39.3g Carbs

1.1g Protein

37.1g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~3792 cal · 10g fat · 943g carbs · 26g protein · 890g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Made with VanillaGoods

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