Teresa's Recipes
Alfajores
Indulge in the exquisite taste of Alfajores, traditional South American cookies that are a delightful treat for any occasion. These delicate cookies, with their melt-in-your-mouth texture, are filled with rich dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar, making them a perfect sweet companion with a cup of coffee or tea. Originating from the Arab influence in Spain, these treats have become a beloved staple throughout Latin America, each country adding its unique twist. Prepare to impress your friends and family with these irresistible cookies that are sure to bring a taste of tradition to your table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, softened Unsalted butter
- 1 cup, plus more for dusting Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Cornstarch
- 1 cup Dulce de leche
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including chilling time)
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 22g
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Sugar: 8g
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and firm up the dough.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Using a round cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once the cookies are cooled, spread a generous amount of dulce de leche on the bottom side of one cookie and sandwich it with another cookie. Press gently to adhere.
- Repeat with the remaining cookies, making sure to fill generously.
- Optional: Dust the alfajores with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness and presentation.
- Enjoy these delicious alfajores with your favorite beverage or share them with loved ones!
Tips
- For a chocolate variation, dip the filled cookies in melted chocolate after sandwiching them together.
- You can add a hint of lemon or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist.
- If you can find it, use homemade dulce de leche for an even richer flavor.