Alfajores

Name: Alfajores
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Argentinian
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 3/4 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 egg yolk; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 cup dulce de leche; 1 cup shredded coconut

Tender shortbread cookies sandwiched with sweet dulce de leche and rolled in shredded coconut. A beloved Argentine treat perfect with coffee.

37 minEasyServes 12310 cal/serving

ArgentinianDessertOvenVegetarian

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup dulce de leche
1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set aside.
3

In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4

Beat in 2 egg yolk and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until combined.
5

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
6

Roll dough between parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds using a cookie cutter.
7

Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are light golden.
8

Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9

Spread 1 cup dulce de leche on the flat side of half the cookies and top with remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
10

Pour 1 cup shredded coconut onto a shallow plate and roll the edges of each sandwich in the coconut.

Questions

Can I make Alfajores dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 3/4 cup butter, softened. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Alfajores gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I make Alfajores ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double Alfajores?

Yes. As written it serves 12. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

Chai-Spiced Banana Date Smoothie drink
Mint Julep drink

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