ALFAJORES (PERUVIAN)

Steps:

• Remove labels of of milk cans - do NOT open the can. Boil unopened can(s) of sweet condensed milk in deep pots with plenty of water over a high heat for 1.5-2 hours. The more you boil it the deeper, more caramelly and more flavorful the filling will be. Make sure the water does not run out and the pot does not run dry. Turn off heat and allow water to cool for about 20-30 min. Remove can from water with pinchers and allow the can to cool to room temperature. While milk is boiling, mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add butter a stick at a time in chunks, working through to make small chunks (you can use a food processor for the first 2 sticks). When you add the last stick of butter you should be able to form a ball of dough. Try not to overwork dough. Refridgerate dough for 15 min. Roll out dough (I do half at a time) on smooth stone or wooden surface using plenty of flour on both sides and on rolling pin to avoid sticking. Roll out to 1/4 in thick and then cut out shapes with a round cookie cutter. With a spatula or with fingers, arrange cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Continue rolling cookie dough and placing onto baking sheet until all the dough is gone. Bake at 350 degrees until cookies are brown (about 10-15 min.) Remove from oven, cool. Separate cookies from the baking sheet with a spatula. Using a can opener, open the room temperature can(s) of sweet condensed milk. Do not open if still warm. Using a small spreading knife, (like a cheese knife), spread a small amount on the bottom side of a cookie. Place a similar size cookie on top to make a sandwich and put aside (on another baking sheet). Once all cookies have been made into a sandwich, and have been placed on a sheet evenly spaced apart, place about 1/4 cp of powdered sugar on sieve and sprinkle over cookies. Enjoy!