Alfajores are soft, crumbly Argentinean cookies filled with rich dulce de leche and often coated in chocolate or dusted with powdered sugar. These delicate sandwich cookies are a staple in South America, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and buttery texture. Whether served with coffee or as a dessert, Alfajores are an irresistible treat!

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

1 ¾ cups (220g) cornstarch

¾ cup (150g) sugar

1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened

2 egg yolks

1 whole egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

For the Filling:

1 cup (300g) dulce de leche

Optional Coating:

1 cup (100g) shredded coconut (for rolling the edges)

1 cup (150g) melted dark or milk chocolate (for dipping)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough In a bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda.

Mix the Wet Ingredients In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks, whole egg, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix well.

Combine & Chill Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, forming a soft dough. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Shape & Bake Roll out the dough to ¼ inch (0.5 cm) thickness. Cut into small rounds and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until set but not browned.

Assemble the Alfajores Once cooled, spread dulce de leche on one cookie and sandwich with another.

Optional Coating Roll the edges in shredded coconut or dip the cookies in melted chocolate.

Serving Alfajores are best enjoyed with coffee or mate (traditional Argentinean tea). Store them in an airtight container for a few days to let the flavors develop.

Alfajores are a true taste of Argentina, with their delicate texture and rich caramel filling. Whether enjoyed plain, with coconut, or covered in chocolate, these cookies are a must-try for any dessert lover!