Guava and Cardamom Galette is a rustic, yet elegant dessert that combines the tropical sweetness of guava with the warm, aromatic flavor of cardamom. This simple, open-faced pastry offers a perfect balance of flaky crust and luscious fruit filling, making it an ideal treat for any occasion. The cardamom enhances the sweetness of the guava, while adding a fragrant, spiced note that elevates the galette to something truly special.
The beauty of a galette lies in its simplicity. Unlike traditional pies, a galette has a free-form crust, which gives it a laid-back, homemade feel. The dough is buttery and crisp, providing the perfect contrast to the soft, juicy guava filling. The fruit is thinly sliced, so each bite offers a burst of guava’s natural sweetness, balanced with the exotic spice of cardamom.
To make the filling, ripe guavas are peeled, cored, and sliced, then gently spiced with ground cardamom and a touch of sugar to enhance their sweetness. The fruit is then arranged in the center of the rolled-out dough, leaving a border around the edges. Once folded over, the galette is baked until golden and crisp, with the fruit filling becoming tender and caramelized in the oven.
The result is a warm, inviting galette with a flaky, buttery crust and a soft, fragrant guava filling. The cardamom adds a subtle depth of flavor, making each bite a delightful balance of sweet and spicy.
Guava and Cardamom Galette is perfect for a casual dessert or a more refined gathering. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a drizzle of honey for added richness. Its versatility makes it a lovely choice for brunch, afternoon tea, or as a dessert for a family dinner.
In essence, this galette is a celebration of simple, fresh ingredients and the beauty of rustic pastry. With its sweet guava filling and the unique, fragrant touch of cardamom, it’s a delightful dessert that offers comfort, warmth, and a little touch of exotic flair.

Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter cold, unsalted, cut into small pieces
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
- For the Filling:
- 4-5 guavas ripe, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt for the crust. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together.
- Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cornstarch, cardamom, and vanilla extract for the filling. Spread this mixture evenly over the center of the dough, leaving a border of about 2 inches.
- Arrange the sliced guavas on top of the sugar mixture. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pleating as necessary.
- Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake the galette for 40-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Good but I think I used too much cinnamon instead of cardamom. Oops! 😅
Cinnamon sounds interesting! I’ve made that mistake before too. It might actually taste good! 😄
Wait, you used cinnamon instead of cardamom? That’s like switching apples for oranges! Good luck, I guess… 🙃
Cardamom is overpowering if you’re not careful. I’d start with 1/2 tsp maybe, unless you really love that flavor.
Totally agree—cardamom can go from “nice” to “perfume” real fast. I do about 1/2 tsp too and it’s perfect.
I didn’t know what to expect, but this was incredible! Cardamom really makes a difference.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Cardamom always adds such a nice flavor. Did you try any other spices?
Not gonna lie, I messed up the crust once and it was super crumbly. But the “ice water a tablespoon at a time” tip is solid. Also, egg wash makes it look fancy.
I don’t know about guavas… wasn’t thrilled with the outcome. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤷♂️
I had high hopes, but it turned out super soggy. Followed the recipe to the letter!
Maybe you used too much guava or didn’t let it bake long enough? It can get soggy if there’s too much moisture!
I’m a little skeptical about 4-5 guavas—depends how big they are, ya know? But the cardamom and vanilla seem balanced. I’ll weigh the fruit next time.
Eh, not as good as I thought it would be. The dough didn’t turn out well for me.
I had the same problem! The dough was tough for me too. Maybe less butter next time? 🤔
Sorry to hear that! Dough can be tricky sometimes. Did you measure the butter and water accurately? It can really make a difference.
Had to look up what a galette is. I think I did it wrong, my crust fell apart. 😞 Maybe I should just stick to cookies.
Step 6 confused me. What is ‘pleating’? Help!