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Guava duff
Melt the guava paste with the water and lime juice in a small pan over low heat, mashing with a spoon until it is a thick spreadable jam. Cool completely; it must not be warm when it meets the dough.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Guava duff take?
3 hr 10 min all in — 40 min prep, 1 hr 30 min cook, 1 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 8 slices. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Milk, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Stockpot, Rolling pin, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at ½ tsp.
How much sugar?
60 g of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Guava paste → A thick guava jam, or in desperation a sharp plum or apricot jam. Guava jam is closest. Other fruit makes a good steamed roll that is no longer a guava duff. Dark rum → A teaspoon of rum essence or more vanilla. Island cooks would not approve, but the sauce still works without alcohol.
What should I watch for?
Never let the pot boil dry. A duff that touches the bottom scorches through the foil.
Any tips from this recipe?
If you can find ripe fresh guavas, peel and seed about 700 g, stew them with 100 g sugar until collapsed, and mash. That is the real filling. The sauce contains raw egg yolk. Use a fresh or pasteurised egg, or leave the yolk out and add a tablespoon more evaporated milk. Duff keeps three days wrapped in the fridge and reheats well in its foil in simmering water for 20 minutes.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.