Indulge in the delicate sweetness of *Alfajores de Maizena*, soft and crumbly sandwich cookies that melt in your mouth with each bite. These iconic Latin American treats are made with a luxurious blend of cornstarch (maizena) and flour for an ultra-tender texture, while the rich and creamy dulce de leche filling adds a luscious caramel sweetness. Rolled in shredded coconut for a delightful finishing touch, these alfajores are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this easy-to-follow recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and yields up to 20 irresistible cookies. Whether you're hosting a tea party or craving an elegant homemade dessert, *Alfajores de Maizena* are sure to impress with their unique texture and rich flavor.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together with a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
Add the egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough starts to come together. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable.
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thickness.
Using a round cookie cutter (about 5 cm or 2 inches in diameter), cut out as many circles as possible and place them on the prepared baking trays.
Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut more circles until all the dough is used.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake; the cookies should remain light in color.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Once cooled, spread about 1 teaspoon of dulce de leche onto the flat side of a cookie. Place another cookie on top to form a sandwich, pressing gently to spread the filling evenly.
Roll the edges of the filled cookies in shredded coconut to coat the exposed dulce de leche.
Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Store the alfajores in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Serving size | 1364.8 grams (1364.8g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 5796 |
Total Fat 280.80g | 360% |
Saturated Fat 180.30g | 902% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.50g | |
Cholesterol 1112mg | 371% |
Sodium 1646mg | 72% |
Total Carbohydrate 779.20g | 283% |
Dietary Fiber 20.40g | 73% |
Total Sugars 357.40g | |
Protein 59.30g | 119% |
Vitamin D 87IU | 435% |
Calcium 1163mg | 89% |
Iron 12mg | 68% |
Potassium 2211mg | 47% |
Source of Calories