Guava Duff

Name: Guava Duff
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Bahamian
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 3 tbsp butter, cold; 3/4 cup water; 4 ripe guavas, peeled and sliced; 1/2 cup sugar; Sauce: 1 cup butter; Sauce: 1 cup sugar; Sauce: 3 egg yolks; Sauce: 1/4 cup rum; Sauce: 1 tsp vanilla extract

Guava Duff (GWAH-vuh duff)

Steamed Guava Roll with Butter Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 484 kcal

A steamed pastry roll filled with fresh guava, drenched in a warm buttery rum sauce. The signature Bahamian dessert.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 5.0g

Carbs 62.0g

Fat 24.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

nut-free vegetarian

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

steamer pot cheesecloth rolling pin mixing bowls

Presentation Guide

Vessel: dessert plate

Garnishes: butter sauce drizzle, guava slice

Accompaniments: vanilla ice cream

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp butter, cold
3/4 cup water
4 ripe guavas, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup sugar
Sauce: 1 cup butter
Sauce: 1 cup sugar
Sauce: 3 egg yolks
Sauce: 1/4 cup rum
Sauce: 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
2
Add water gradually to form a soft dough. Roll out into a rectangle.
3
Arrange guava slices over the dough. Sprinkle with sugar.
4
Roll up tightly like a jelly roll. Wrap securely in cheesecloth, tying the ends.
5
Steam the roll over boiling water for 2 hours, keeping the water topped up.
6
For the sauce, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy.
7
Beat in egg yolks one at a time, then add rum and vanilla.
8
Slice the duff and drench generously with the warm butter sauce.

💡

Did You Know?

Guava duff is considered the king of Bahamian desserts, and every family has their own closely guarded butter sauce recipe.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

steamer pot
cheesecloth
rolling pin
mixing bowls

Garnishing

butter sauce drizzle, guava slice

Accompaniments

vanilla ice cream

The Story Behind Guava Duff

Guava duff descends from British steamed puddings adapted with tropical Caribbean fruit. Bahamian cooks substituted local guava for the traditional British fillings, creating a dessert that is uniquely island.

On the Calendar: Served at Christmas, Easter, and special occasions, though many restaurants offer it year-round.

Legacy: The butter sauce is the soul of guava duff, and Bahamian grandmothers are legendary for their secret variations of this indulgent topping.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed dessert, holidays 📜 Origins: Colonial era

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