Alfajores are a traditional confectionery from Argentina that combines the flavors of shortbread cookies, dulce de leche, and coconut. The origins of alfajores can be traced back to the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages, where they were known as "alajú" or "alajú andaluz". Spanish settlers brought the recipe to South America, where it was adapted using local ingredients such as dulce de leche, a type of caramel made from milk and sugar.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
ALFAJORES (AN ARGENTINEAN DULCE DE LECHE SANDWICH COOKIE)
Found these while playing on the Internet and decided to give them a try soon. For the dulce de leche, you can either make your own (many good recipes on this site) or find it in a local market that has a good selection of Latin American products.
Provided by justcallmetoni
Categories Drop Cookies
Time 45m
Yield 40 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cream butter for a minute, add sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Add egg and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well. Beat in vanilla and lemon rind.
- In a separate bowl, sift together cornstarch, flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture and mix well.
- Drop batter by small spoonfuls onto well buttered baking sheet. Try to keep your cookie size uniform as it will make building sandwiches easier.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove immediately.
- Sandwich the cookies together with (dulce de leche) sweet milk dessert.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 68.3, Fat 2.6, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 19.1, Sodium 46.5, Carbohydrate 10.7, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 5, Protein 0.5
ARGENTINIAN ALFAJORES RECIPE
These Argentinian Alfajores are soft, mildly sweet, and crumbly sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche. They melt in your mouth and can be enjoyed all year round!
Provided by Denise Browning
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven at 350 degrees F (180 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and reserve.
- In the bowl of a mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar at medium speed for about 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is pale. Beat the butter until homogeneous.
- Add half of the cornstarch, then the baking powder, and the other half of the cornstarch, mixing with a spatula after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and lemon zest.
- Using your hands, knead the dough on a surface lined with parchment paper just until it is no longer sticky. I prefer to not flour the surface because it will absorb the flour, making the dough dry. If the dough becomes dry either way, stir in about 1 or 2 tbsp of milk.
- Roll out the dough in a thin layer (about 1/8-inch thick) and cut out discs using a cookie cutter (about 2 ¼-inch diameter). Re-roll the leftover dough and repeat the process.
- Using a metal spatula, gently transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, keeping them about 1-inch apart.
- Bake for about 8 minutes or until set and lightly brown on the bottom edges. Let them cool before filling with the dulce de leche.
- To fill them, either pipe the dulce de leche over half of the cookies or spread it on with the back of a teaspoon. The first option will be less messy and will avoid breakage. Then use the remaining half of the cookies to top the filling (sandwich), applying gentle pressure on the center using your full, flat hand instead of pressing down on the edges.
- If you prefer (optional), roll the sandwich cookies in shredded coconut to make the coconut stick on and cover the dulce de leche around the rims. Sift confectioner's sugar on top of the Argentinian alfajores and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 168 kcal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Sodium 6 mg, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CLASSIC ARGENTINE ALFAJORES
Super soft cornstarch cookies sandwich together with sweet creamy dulce de leche and rolled in coconut flakes. A classic and delicious Argentine snack.
Provided by Bea
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Sift everything into a bowl, set aside.
- In another bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter until creamy using a handheld whisk. Add in egg yolk one by one, mixing well to combine after each addition. Add in vanilla extract, lemon zest and mix to combine.
- Add in dry ingredients in 3 additions, mixing just enough after each addition. Don't over mix. For the 3rd addition, you will not be able to mix everything to combine using hand held mixer. When it's half mixed, pour everything onto the working surface.
- Start folding the mixture onto itself and gently push with your palm until you get a ball. Do not knead. Refer to tutorial video above for better understanding.
- Wrap with cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or until manageable.
- Put 1/3 of dough on a cling film and cover it with another. Gently roll it into 8-10mm thickness. If the dough breaks, just gently push it back together. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes while you continue rolling the rest.
- Take 1 rolled dough from the fridge and place it on the working surface. Remove the top cling film. Cut out 1.7 inch (4.5 cm) circles using floured cutter/glass. Place on parchment paper on baking tray. Place in the fridge if you're not baking them immediately.
- Bake at 360F (180ºC) in a preheated oven, conventional mode, on middle rack for 10-12 minutes or until fully cooked without having any toasted colour. Cool completely before using.
- Pipe dulce de leche on the bottom side of a cookie, more or less the same thickness of the cookie itself. Take another cookie and place it on top and lightly press. Roll in desiccated coconut. Enjoy!
- Place in air tight container, at room temperature. Best consumed the next day. Last good for 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks in the fridge.
ALFAJORES ARGENTINEAN STYLE
This is a traditional cookie that is much loved in most Latin cultures. Even my mother in law says they're the BEST, and that is saying a lot considering she is from Mendoza, Argentina!
Provided by Christina-Chrisi Marvasi
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American South American Argentinian
Time 1h20m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
- Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, allowing each yolk to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla rum, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest with the last egg. Gently fold in the flour mixture with a spoon, making a crumbly dough. When the dough becomes cohesive enough, press it together into a ball with your hands. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough, using as little flour as possible, about 1/4 inch thick. The dough will have an unusual consistency. Cut with a small round cookie cutter. Continue pressing the dough together, rolling it out, and cutting until you have used it all. Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven until set but not browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the cookies immediately to cool on a wire rack.
- Spread the underside of a cooled cookie with a teaspoon of dulce de leche, then sandwich together with another cookie until the caramel oozes out the sides. Roll the sides in the shredded coconut.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 156.7 calories, Carbohydrate 22.5 g, Cholesterol 31.7 mg, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 65.1 mg, Sugar 8.3 g
ARGENTINIAN ALFAJORES COOKIES FILLED WITH DULCE DE LECHE
These yummy Alfajores cookies are delicious with a light sweet and citrus flavor. Filled with Dulce De Leche they are irresistible!
Provided by Ana Frias
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt. Set aside
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add yolks and beat to combine.
- Add the vanilla extract, water and lemon zest beat until just combined.
- Add flour mixture, and mix on low speed until the dough just comes together.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and chill until firm, at least 2 hours.
- Heat oven 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from plastic wrap and place on a lightly floured surface, flour a rolling pin and roll out to about ¼ inch thick. Cut the dough with a 2 inch cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on prepared sheet pans about about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for about 9 minutes or until firm and edges are pale golden and the middle of the cookie is firm.
- Transfer baking pan to a rack and allow to cool completely before removing from baking sheet.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of dulce de leche onto the back of half the cookies. Place a second cookie on top and gently press to create a sandwich and repeat.
- Roll sides in coconut and dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 sandwich cookie, Calories 153 kcal, Sugar 9 g, Sodium 52 mg, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Carbohydrate 19 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 1 g, Cholesterol 14 mg
ALFAJORES ARGENTINEAN STYLE
This is a traditional cookie that is much loved in most Latin cultures. Even my mother in law says they're the BEST, and that is saying a lot considering she is from Mendoza, Argentina!
Provided by Christina-Chrisi Marvasi
Categories Argentinian Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
- Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, allowing each yolk to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla rum, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest with the last egg. Gently fold in the flour mixture with a spoon, making a crumbly dough. When the dough becomes cohesive enough, press it together into a ball with your hands. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough, using as little flour as possible, about 1/4 inch thick. The dough will have an unusual consistency. Cut with a small round cookie cutter. Continue pressing the dough together, rolling it out, and cutting until you have used it all. Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven until set but not browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the cookies immediately to cool on a wire rack.
- Spread the underside of a cooled cookie with a teaspoon of dulce de leche, then sandwich together with another cookie until the caramel oozes out the sides. Roll the sides in the shredded coconut.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 156.7 calories, Carbohydrate 22.5 g, Cholesterol 31.7 mg, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 65.1 mg, Sugar 8.3 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality dulce de leche. This is the key ingredient in alfajores, so make sure to use a brand that you trust.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough before baking. This will help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Bake the cookies until they are just set. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
- Let the cookies cool completely before filling them. This will help to prevent the filling from seeping out.
- If you don't have any dulce de leche, you can use another type of filling, such as Nutella, jam, or frosting.
- Alfajores can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Alfajores are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients, you can create these classic Argentinean cookies that are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give alfajores a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love