Alfajores de maizena, a traditional Argentine cookie, have a rich history and are a cherished treat among locals and visitors alike. These delicious cookies, known for their delicate texture and delightful flavor, are made with a combination of cornstarch, flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center. Alfajores de maizena are often filled with dulce de leche, a sweet caramel-like spread, and then coated in coconut shreds, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. With their distinctive appearance and irresistible taste, alfajores de maizena have become a quintessential part of Argentine culture and a favorite indulgence for people of all ages.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
ALFAJORES DE MAIZENA
I love these! They are a delicious sweet cookie from Argentina. They are a sandwich cookie - biscuit type cookie with Dulce De Leche in the middle then rolled in coconut. Sometimes they're called "cornstarch cookies". My mother-in-law first introduced these to me. She would make mine with crushed nuts or shaved white chocolate on the outside though as I have an allergy to coconut. Also, you can add 1 tablespoon of cognac for the traditional recipe, but I usually don't. ** You can buy Dulce de Leche in Spanish grocer or some of the larger supermarkets sell it by the condensed milk, if not, follow below... For the Dulce de Leche: Pour the two cans of condensed milk into a double boiler set over low heat. Cook milk, stirring once in a while, for 2-4 hours, until mixture thickens and becomes caramel-like. Remove from double boiler and refrigerate until needed. Mixture will firm with chilling.
Provided by BlondieItaliana
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 12-16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar gradually, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and lemon rind.
- Sift together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder and soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, beating until thoroughly combined.
- Drop the batter by small spoonfuls onto well buttered baking sheets. Leave enough space between the cookies because they will spread.
- Bake in a 350 degrees oven 15 minutes. Immediately remove from the baking sheets and let cool.
- When cool, spread some Dulce de leche on the bottom half of the cookies and make a sandwich with the remaining cookies. Squeeze the sandwiches so that some of the dulce de leche is squeezed out the sides, and roll the sides in the grated coconut.
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
ALFAJORES DE MAICENA
Alfajores de Maicena are indulgent shortbread cookies from Latin America. Buttery shortbread is sandwiched together with dulce de leche, then rolled in coconut.
Provided by Sara McCleary
Categories Cookies
Time 33m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Pre-heat oven 180°C (360°F). Line a baking tray/ cookie sheet with baking paper.
- Cream butter and sugar in a bowl, using either a stand mixer or handheld electric beaters until fluffy.
- Continue beating and add vanilla essence.
- Add the egg and egg yolk, beat until completely combined.
- Turn beaters down to a low speed and slowly beat in the flours and baking powder. As soon as the mixture comes together stop the beaters. You do not want to over beat the dough.
- Form dough into a smooth round ball, again do not overwork the dough.
- Between two pieces of baking paper, using a rolling pin, roll dough out until is is roughly 5cm (one eighth inch) thick.
- Carefully remove the top layer of baking paper. Then using a 5cm (2 inch) cookie cutter, cut out cookie rounds and place on the lined baking tray.
- Place in the oven and bake for 8 - 10 minutes. You do not want the cookies to colour. They will spread slightly when cooking.
- Remove tray from the oven and leave cookies to cool for a couple of minutes on the tray before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 kcal, Carbohydrate 19 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Sodium 49 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
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
Tips:
- For the perfect alfajores, make sure the cornstarch dough is well chilled before rolling out. This will help prevent the dough from sticking and tearing.
- When rolling out the dough, be sure to use a light touch. Rolling too hard will make the dough tough.
- If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more cornstarch. However, be careful not to add too much, or the dough will become dry and crumbly.
- When baking the alfajores, keep an eye on them so that they don't overcook. Overcooked alfajores will be dry and hard.
- Once the alfajores are baked, let them cool completely before filling them. This will help prevent the filling from melting.
- For the filling, you can use any type of dulce de leche that you like. However, traditional alfajores are filled with a thick, creamy dulce de leche.
- To make the alfajores even more special, you can decorate them with chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts.
Conclusion:
Alfajores are a delicious and traditional Argentine cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little bit of effort, you can create alfajores that are sure to impress your friends and family.
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