Local chefs have also contributed their signature dishes and beloved recipes from their homeland online, inviting you to experience the rich heritage and mouth-watering traditions of the Caribbean, all from the comfort of your kitchen.
Sampling: Guava and Cream Cheese Pasteilitos
There’s a reason “Guava lovers swear by Vicky’s pastelito de guayaba.” (Eater Miami), each specialty Cuban pastry is made with a family recipe that has been passed down from abuelito to abuelo. Pastelitos hold a special place in Cuban culture, symbolizing the vibrant spirit and culinary heritage of the island. These flaky pastries, often filled with guava and cheese, bring people together, evoking memories of family gatherings and celebrations. They represent the warmth and hospitality that is at the heart of Cuban traditions.
About Vicky Bakery
Antonio and Gelasia Cao fell in love over 50 years ago while working at Cuba’s most renowned bakery at the time, La Vencedora. The couple married and migrated to Miami as political exiles and soon had enough money saved up to buy a small bakery in Hialeah.
In 1972, Antonio and Gelasia opened Vicky Bakery. “I started making pastries here the way I made them in Cuba, and they’ve been incredibly successful,” Antonio said. “To this day, we haven’t changed the recipe, and to this day, it continues to be one of the better pastries that my clients say they have eaten.”
Vicky Bakery has remained a family business; Antonio and Gelasia’s children have expanded the bakery’s reach to 23 different locations in South Florida, with plans to continue expanding. Find your local Vicky Bakery at: vickybakery.com/locations/
