Okay, so “pan con timba,” right? Sounds fancy, but it’s super simple, and I stumbled upon it completely by accident. It all started with a craving for something sweet and savory, and a near-empty fridge. I was this close to ordering takeout, but then I thought, “Nah, let’s get creative.”

I rummaged through the fridge and found:
- Some leftover Cuban bread (the key ingredient, apparently!)
- A block of guava paste (my weakness)
- Some cream cheese (because, why not?)
The “Recipe” (If You Can Call It That)
First I sliced the Cuban bread lengthwise, like you would for a sandwich. It was a little stale, which actually turned out to be a good thing.
Then, I spread a generous layer of cream cheese on one side of the bread. Don’t be shy with it. The more, the merrier, in my opinion.
Next, I cut some thin slices of the guava paste and laid them on top of the cream cheese. Again, no need to be precise. Just get it on there.

Finally, I slapped the other half of the bread on top and… that was it! I stared at my creation, thinking, “Is this really going to be good?”
I took a bite, and… wow. Seriously, wow. The slight saltiness of the bread, the creamy tang of the cream cheese, and the sweet, fruity guava all just…worked. The slightly stale bread added a nice chewiness, too. I devoured the whole thing in like five minutes.
It’s the easiest, most satisfying snack/breakfast/dessert I’ve made in ages. And I made it with stuff I already had! So, if you’re ever feeling peckish and have these ingredients lying around, definitely give “pan con timba” a try. You might be surprised!