Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Shortbread Cookies)
User Reviews
4.7
33 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
42 mins
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Servings
24 cookies
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Calories
159 kcal
-
Cuisine
Argentinian
Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Shortbread Cookies)
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Alfajores are very popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Brazil. These are delicate little cookies dusted in powdered sugar. I took one bite and was in heaven. Buttery and tender with a rich and creamy caramel center.
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Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons orange extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- cooking spray
- dulce de Leche
- powdered sugar optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk well and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and egg whites one at a time, then add the orange zest, orange extract, and vanilla extract. Then slowly add the dry ingredients until you have a nice soft dough.
- Separate the dough in half, form into two large disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the refrigerated dough on a floured surface, flour a rolling pin and roll out to about ¼ inch thick. Cut the dough with a 2 inch round or fluted cookie cutter. Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the underside have a light golden brown color. Let them rest for 1 minute on the cookie sheet and then let them cool completely on a cooling rack.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of dulce de leche on flat sides of cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat-side down, to form sandwich cookies. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
- Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days covered, or overnight in the fridge.
Notes
- Optional Variations
- My dough recipe has a citrus hint from orange zest and orange extract. The hint of citrus gives these classic shortbread cookies an extra zing. Feel free to leave it out if your are not a fan of orange flavored things.
- If you don’t want to use the dough right away, you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to a month, then thaw it overnight in the fridge.
- Switch up your fillings - sometimes called alfajores de miel, this variation takes shortbread cookies and fills them with thick and creamy whipped honey (miel) or a fruit-flavored jam or marmalade. You can also swap in the Mexican goat's milk caramel known as cajeta.
- Dip in chocolate (white, milk, or dark) - Also known as alfajores blancos y negros, the dulce de leche-stuffed cookies are then dipped in chocolate for a variation that is popular in both Argentina and Uruguay.
- Add an extra layer - Triple alfajores (pronounced "tree-PLAY") add another layer of filling and an extra cookie for even more fun.
- Flavor with almond or anise extract - Instead of reaching for bright citrus flavors, try swapping in nutty or herbal flavors instead!
- Dairy-Free - Swap in your favorite plant-based butter instead.
- Gluten-Free - Swap in a cup-for-cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
- Roll in coconut - Some alfajor recipes call for rolling the edges of the cookies in dessicated coconut to help seal in all the caramelly goodness.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
159kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
20g
(7%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
27mg
(9%)
Sodium
20mg
(1%)
Potassium
52mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
246IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
19mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 159kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 20mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 52mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 246IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
33 reviews
Excellent
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