Jul 28, 2008
I made this 5 times in the past week. I wanted guava chiffon cake w/whipped cream and guava topping. Cake flour is the only way to go to get the light, fluffy chiffon. All-purpose flour creates a denser and sometimes fallen cake. Use frozen guava juice concentrate (or passion fruit) in batter for a stronger flavor. 1 c. of egg whites is enough (6 jumbo/7 large eggs), just beat them until very stiff to hold volume. If not beaten long enough, you’ll have baked guava pudding. For guava topping, the ideal recipe is 1 c. concentrate thickened on stove with previously mixed 1 T. corn starch and 2 T. water. I only had guava pulp (Goya brand) available and made my own concentrate: 2 c. guava pulp with 1/4 c. sugar to reduced to 1 c. I thickened with the corn starch/water mixture.* When desperate, thin some guava jam with water, and it works fine!
*Using the reduced pulp in the cake makes for a flavorful though denser cake, more like guava bread. I wouldn’t recommend it if you want a real chiffon.
—Cinzia
