Traditional “Alfajores” Recipe Taste of Peru from taste-of-peru.com
Introduction
If you have a sweet tooth and love to try new desserts, then you must try Peruvian alfajores. These cookies are made with two soft and crumbly cookies filled with dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar. They are a popular dessert in Peru and other Latin American countries. This recipe is easy to follow and requires simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cornstarch
For the filling:
1 can dulce de leche
For the topping:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Make the dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the dough
Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each into a disk. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3: Roll out the dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take one disk of dough out of the refrigerator and unwrap it. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a 2-inch cookie cutter to cut out circles and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Step 4: Bake the cookies
Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Fill the cookies
Take one cookie and spread a tablespoon of dulce de leche on the flat side. Top with another cookie, flat side down, and gently press to sandwich the filling. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
Step 6: Dust with powdered sugar
Sift powdered sugar over the top of the cookies and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 180
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 44mg
Sodium: 74mg
Total Carbohydrates: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 2g
Conclusion
Peruvian alfajores are a delicious dessert that you can make at home with just a few ingredients. These cookies are perfect for special occasions or just as a sweet treat. The combination of the soft and crumbly cookies with the creamy dulce de leche filling is simply irresistible. So, give this recipe a try and enjoy a taste of Peru!