Tropical Hawaiian Guava Cake with Creamy Dreamy Frosting (So Good!)
If you love bright, tropical flavors that give you an instant vacation vibe, then you’re going to LOVE this homemade Hawaiian guava cake. This dessert is not only beautiful and fun to bake, but it’s also much more affordable than ordering a specialty cake from a bakery.
Hawaiian guava cake has become super popular because of its gorgeous pink color, fruity flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The best part? You can easily recreate this island classic at home with just a few simple ingredients.
In this post, I’ll show you my absolute favorite, easy-to-follow recipe for a Tropical Hawaiian Guava Cake topped with a luscious, creamy dreamy frosting. Whether you’re hosting a summer luau, celebrating a birthday, or just craving something sweet, this cake is perfect.
Why Is Hawaiian Guava Cake So Popular?
Hawaiian guava cake has become a favorite not just in Hawaii, but all across the U.S., because it’s the perfect mix of tropical flavor and light, bakery-style texture. The sweet, slightly tangy taste of guava gives the cake a unique twist that feels refreshing and different from classic vanilla or chocolate cakes. It’s the kind of dessert that instantly reminds people of sunny beaches, warm weather, and vacation vibes.
Another reason this cake is so loved is its soft and airy texture paired with layers of flavor. You get a fluffy sponge, a fruity glaze, and a smooth, creamy frosting all in one bite. It feels indulgent without being too heavy, which makes it perfect for parties, birthdays, and summer gatherings.
It’s also incredibly approachable to make at home. With simple ingredients and easy steps, even beginner bakers can recreate this bakery-style dessert in their own kitchen. You can easily find canned or bottled guava nectar in the juice aisle of most grocery stores, making it simple to bring that signature island flavor into your baking.
Why Make This Cake at Home?
Baking this tropical treat at home has so many benefits:
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Saves money compared to buying from a specialty bakery
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You can control the sweetness and ingredients
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Guaranteed to impress your family and friends
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Perfect for summer parties and potlucks
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Super fun to bake and decorate
Plus, it looks so pretty that it’s perfect for Instagram and Pinterest!
The Ultimate Tropical Hawaiian Guava Cake
This cake is sweet, tangy, and incredibly fluffy. It is a guaranteed crowd favorite!
Ingredients:
For the Guava Cake:
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1 box strawberry or white cake mix (plus the eggs and oil called for on the box)
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1 cup guava nectar (replaces the water called for on the box)
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Optional: 2-3 drops of pink food coloring for a brighter color
For the Guava Gel Glaze:
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2 cups guava nectar
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½ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup cornstarch
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Optional: 1-2 drops of pink food coloring
For the Creamy Dreamy Frosting:
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1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
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⅓ cup granulated sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
Instructions:
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Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven according to the cake mix package. Mix the cake batter, but swap out the water for guava nectar. Add pink food coloring if desired. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan and bake as directed. Let it cool completely.
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Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, whisk together the 2 cups of guava nectar, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens into a gel (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool.
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Whip the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fluffy and combined.
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Assemble: Spread the creamy dreamy frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Finally, carefully pour and spread the cooled guava gel glaze over the top of the frosting.
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Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing to let the layers set perfectly.
Flavor Tip: If you want an extra punch of tropical flavor, add a splash of coconut extract to the cake batter!
Why You’ll Love It: This dessert has the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors. It’s super refreshing, especially on a warm day, and the layers look absolutely stunning when you slice into it.
Pro Tips for the Best Guava Cake
Here are some simple tips to make your cake even better:
1. Let Everything Cool Make sure your cake and your guava glaze are completely cool before you assemble. If they are warm, the creamy frosting will melt!
2. Use Quality Guava Nectar Look for the thick, sweet guava nectar (often found in the Latin/Hispanic aisle or juice aisle) rather than watered-down guava juice blends.
3. Chill Before Serving This cake tastes 100x better when it’s served cold straight from the fridge.
4. Decorate for a Fancy Look Garnish the slices with fresh sliced strawberries, a sprig of mint, or edible tropical flowers before serving.
Serving Ideas
This cake is perfect for so many occasions:
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Summer BBQs
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Hawaiian or Luau-themed parties
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Bridal or baby showers
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Birthday celebrations
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A sweet weekend treat for the family
Storage Tips
Because of the cream cheese and whipped cream frosting, this cake needs to be kept cold.
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Cover the cake pan tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.
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Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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It actually tastes even better on the second day after the flavors have mingled!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this as cupcakes instead of a 9×13 cake? Yes! You can absolutely divide the batter into a muffin tin. Just reduce the baking time to about 15-18 minutes, and pipe the frosting and glaze on top once cooled.
Where can I buy guava nectar? You can usually find canned or bottled guava nectar in the juice aisle, the international aisle of your local grocery store, or easily order it online.
Can I use a from-scratch cake recipe instead of a box mix? Absolutely. If you have a favorite homemade vanilla or strawberry sponge cake recipe, just swap out 1 cup of the liquid in your recipe for guava nectar!
