Best 8 Alfajores Cookie Recipes

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Are you craving a delectable treat that will tantalize your taste buds? Look no further than the alfajores cookie, a traditional Latin American confection that promises an explosion of flavors and textures. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we unveil the secrets to crafting the perfect alfajores cookie, a delightful combination of crumbly shortbread, gooey dulce de leche, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, this article will guide you through the process, providing expert tips, and tricks to ensure your alfajores cookies turn out exceptional. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a delightful baking adventure!

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ALFAJORES



Alfajores image

These alfajores cookies are courtesy of blogger Matt Armendariz of mattbites.com.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes about 30

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Store-bought dulce de leche, cajeta, or jam
Confectioners' sugar, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats; set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue mixing until well combined, about 1 minute. Working in batches, add flour mixture; mix until well combined. Add milk, orange juice, and vanilla; continue mixing until a dough forms, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Using a tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop, drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Transfer to oven and bake, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking, until golden, 10 to 14 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack until completely cool.
  • When cookies have cooled completely, spread the bottoms of half of the cookies with dulche de leche, cajeta, or jam; sandwich together with remaining cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Just before serving, lightly sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

ALFAJORES



Alfajores image

Popular all over Latin America, dulce de leche confections called alfajores come in many varieties. In this popular version, delicate, crumbly butter cookies are sandwiched with a thick layer of dulce de leche before being rolled in coconut. They are petite yet decadent morsels that go particularly well with strong black coffee to cut their creamy richness. You can make the dulce de leche a week ahead (store it in the refrigerator) and the cookies 5 days ahead (store them in an airtight container at room temperature). Once sandwiched together, the cookies will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 days, but are best eaten within 24 hours of filling.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     cookies and bars, dessert

Time 4h

Yield About 50 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 (13.4-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk, labels removed
1 tablespoon/15 milliliters brandy
1 teaspoon/2 grams finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons/10 milliliters vanilla extract
1 cup/125 grams all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon/165 grams cornstarch
1 teaspoon/5 grams baking powder
1/4 teaspoon/1 gram baking soda
1/2 teaspoon/3 grams fine sea salt, plus a pinch for dulce de leche
1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar
10 tablespoons/141 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large egg yolks
1 cup/100 grams finely ground dried coconut

Steps:

  • Make the dulce de leche: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then carefully lower condensed milk cans on their sides into the water. Simmer for 3 hours 15 minutes, refilling with hot water as needed to keep cans submerged. Never let the water boil away, or the cans could burst. Using tongs, transfer cans to a rack to let cool completely before opening.
  • In a small bowl, combine brandy, lemon zest and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add yolks and beat to combine, then add brandy mixture and beat until just combined. Add flour mixture, and mix on low speed until the dough just comes together.
  • Divide the dough in half and roll each piece into a log about 1 1/2 inches thick. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, at least 2 hours.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove dough from plastic wrap and slice into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Place on prepared sheet pans, then bake until edges start to turn golden, about 7 minutes. Transfer each pan to a rack to cool completely.
  • In a small bowl, combine dulce de leche with remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and a large pinch of salt. Spoon the mixture into a plastic zipper bag and cut a corner off. (Or you could scoop it into a pastry bag if you prefer, or just use a spoon.)
  • Flip half of the cookies upside down and pipe a thick layer of dulce de leche onto bottoms (or use a spoon to spoon the mixture on). Top with remaining cookies to sandwich the dulce de leche in the middle. Roll sides in coconut. Eat right away, or store in the refrigerator until serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 125, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 35 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams

ALFAJORES



Alfajores image

These melt-in-the-mouth shortbread-like cookies originate from South America and are filled with dulce de leche and rolled in desiccated coconut

Provided by Sophie Godwin - Cookery writer

Categories     Snack, Treat

Time 1h5m

Yield makes 30

Number Of Ingredients 11

200g plain flour
300g corn flour
2 tsp baking powder
250g unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
150g caster sugar
zest of 1 lemon
3 large egg yolks
1 tbsp cognac
1 tsp vanilla extract
450g jar dulce de leche
50g desiccated coconut

Steps:

  • Combine the flour, corn flour and baking powder together in a bowl with a pinch of salt. Using a food mixer or an electric whisk in another bowl beat the butter together with the sugar and lemon zest until very pale. Add the egg yolks followed by the Cognac and vanilla extract. Beat in the dry ingredients until you have smooth dough. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 1 hour. You can make the biscuit dough the day before and leave in the fridge.
  • Line two large baking trays with baking parchment. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a pound coin then cut out 60 biscuits with a 5cm round or fluted cutter. Put the biscuits back in the fridge for 20 mins to firm up.
  • Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bake the biscuits for 8 mins until just set. You want the biscuits to stay pale with a crumbly texture. Leave to cool completely before sandwiching two biscuits together with a spoonful of dulce de leche. Once all the biscuits are sandwiched together roll in desiccated coconut.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 7 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 21 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Fiber 0.4 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.1 milligram of sodium

ALFAJORES (DULCE DE LECHE SANDWICH COOKIES)



Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies) image

Given to me by a chef who sweet-talked the recipe out of a street vendor in Peru. These alfajores are to die for.

Provided by vegchef

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     South American     Peruvian

Time 1h27m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ cup sifted confectioners' sugar
¼ cup sifted cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter
¼ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (11.5 ounce) jar dulce de leche
¼ cup confectioners' sugar, or as needed for dusting

Steps:

  • Mix flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a bowl. Place butter in a separate bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until soft and fluffy. Add white sugar and vanilla and mix well.
  • Add flour mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture in 3 stages; mix until just blended. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a log. Refrigerate dough logs until firm, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Slice dough logs into 1/4-inch cookies and place on a baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until just starting to turn golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes more.
  • Use a knife to apply a generous amount of dulce de leche on one cookie. Sandwich another cookie on top and place on a serving tray. Repeat with remaining cookies and dulce de leche. Lightly dust finished cookies with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 174.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23.2 g, Cholesterol 22 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 105.8 mg, Sugar 12 g

ALFAJORES: DULCE DE LECHE SANDWICH COOKIES



Alfajores: Dulce de leche sandwich cookies image

Recipe for making homemade alfajores or dulce de leche sandwich cookies. These Latin American cookies are made with all purpose flour, cornstarch, butter, baking powder, egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest, milk, and vanilla. They are filled with caramel and decorated with coconut or icing sugar.

Provided by Layla Pujol

Categories     Cookies     Dessert     Sweets

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1¼ cup all-purpose flour (1¼cups flour = 150 grams)
1¼ cup cornstarch (1¼ cups cornstarch = 160 grams)
½ cup butter (room temperature, ½ cup of butter = 113 grams)
1 teaspoon of baking powder
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon lemon or lime zest
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla optional
½ cup powdered or icing sugar (sifted, ½ cup powdered sugar = 60 grams)
¾ cup dulce de leche
½ cup grated dry coconut
Powdered or icing sugar (to taste)

Steps:

  • Sift the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Stir all the ingredients very well and add the lemon zest.
  • Use an electric hand mixer to mix the butter with the powdered sugar (previously sifted) until you get a creamy mixture.
  • Add the milk and egg yolks, continue mixing until all the ingredients are well combined.
  • Add the flour mixture in batches and mix well in between adding each batch of flour. The final dough should be smooth and not sticky. If it's still sticky you can add an additional handful of flour.
  • Divide the dough into two equal parts and make two balls of dough. Then gently squash each ball into a thick disk shape. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 375F (200 ° C).
  • Remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten and extend the dough until you have a thin layer. The maximum thickness of the layer should be about five millimeters (less than ¼ inch).
  • Use a round cookie cutter mold to cut as many circles as you can. I used a 2 in (5 cm) round mold. You can make them smaller or larger, just adjust the baking time accordingly.
  • Put the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leave at least two centimeters or ¾ inch of space between each cookie to keep them from sticking together.
  • Bake the cookies for about 12-15 minutes or until they are lightly golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool down completely.
  • Take a cooled down cookie and place a teaspoon of dulce de leche on its inner surface (the part that was stuck to the baking sheet), spread it well to the edges of the cookie and then gently stick another cookie (baking side on the caramel) on top to form a cookie sandwich.
  • Place the grated dry coconut on a flat plate and roll each stuffed cookie in the coconut mix until it sticks to the dulce de leche filling, giving it the characteristic look of the alfajor cookie. You can also dust the cookies with powdered sugar.
  • You can keep the alfajores or dulce de leche cookies refrigerated for a week.

ARGENTINIAN ALFAJORES COOKIES FILLED WITH DULCE DE LECHE



Argentinian Alfajores Cookies Filled with Dulce De Leche image

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

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick) (at room temperature)
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (divided. )
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons warm water
1 cup coconut flakes
8 ounces Dulce De Leche (homemade or store bought )

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



Alfajores Argentinean Style image

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

1 ⅔ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup white sugar
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla rum
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon extract
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 (11.5 ounce) jar dulce de leche
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

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

ALFAJORES COOKIES



Alfajores Cookies image

These delicate Alfajores cookies are filled with Dulce de Leche and guava jam and rolled in desiccated coconut. The fine crumb texture of the cookies is achieved by a large proportion of cornstarch in the dough.

Provided by Regina | Leelalicious

Categories     Dessert

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (more for rolling)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/3 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks (+1 more if needed)
1 tablespoon cream (or liquor like brandy or rum)
1/2 teaspoon rum flavoring (if using cream above)
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Dulce de Leche (and/or thickened (guava) jam)
unsweetened desiccated coconut

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl whisk together cornstarch, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • With the paddle attachment of your stand mixer cream together butter and sugar until fluffy and light in colour. Add the egg yolks one at a time and continue beating. Add and mix in cream/liquor and extracts.On low speed gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. (We live in a very dry prairie climate so I had to add an extra egg yolk to make the dough hold together).
  • Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a flat disk. Wrap and chill in the fridge for at least one hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets.
  • Sprinkle flour on a piece of parchment paper and on top of the dough disk. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. The dough might break but you can easily push it back together. Cut out circles (about 2 inches) and place 1/2 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Reroll the dough as needed.
  • Bake one baking sheet at a time for about 10-13 minutes until cookies are set but still light. Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  • If using jam for filling thicken it by heating it either in the microwave for about 2 minutes (it should come out bubbly) or in a small saucepan on the stove top while stirring often. Let cool completely.
  • Spread a little jam or Dulce de Leche on a cookie and top with another one. Press together lightly until the filling shows and roll the edges in desiccated coconut.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality dulce de leche. This is the key ingredient in alfajores, so make sure you use the best you can find.
  • If you don't have dulce de leche, you can make your own. There are many recipes available online.
  • Don't overwork the dough. The dough should be just combined, otherwise the cookies will be tough.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies keep their shape.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just golden brown. If you overbake them, they will be dry and crumbly.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before filling them. This will help prevent the filling from leaking out.
  • You can decorate the alfajores with powdered sugar, chocolate chips, or sprinkles.

Conclusion:

Alfajores are a delicious and easy-to-make cookie that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a sweet treat that will impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a new cookie recipe, give alfajores a try!

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