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Peruvian Alfajores with Dulce de Leche

Peruvian Alfajores with Dulce de Leche

Peruvian Alfajores with Dulce de Leche are delicate, buttery soft cookies sandwiching a luscious, smooth caramel filling, offering an authentic and comforting taste of Peruvian tradition. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies combine simplicity and richness, perfect for snacks, gifts, or special celebrations.

  • Total Time: 50-55 minutes
  • Yield: About 24 cookies (12 sandwich cookies) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling and Topping

  • 1 cup dulce de leche
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Start by creaming the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Then add egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and baking powder, then gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
  2. Chill and Roll: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Once firm, roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out uniform circles.
  3. Bake the Cookies: Place the cut dough pieces onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
  4. Assemble the Alfajores: Once cooled, spread a generous amount of dulce de leche on the bottom of one cookie and gently sandwich with another cookie. Repeat until all cookies are paired, then dust the tops with powdered sugar.

Notes

  • Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough just until barely combined to keep the cookies tender and crumbly.
  • Chill the Dough Well: This helps prevent spreading during baking and makes rolling easier.
  • Use Quality Dulce de Leche: Opt for homemade or a premium store-bought brand for best flavor.
  • Uniform Cookie Size: Use a consistent cookie cutter size for even baking and assembly.
  • Store at Room Temperature: Keep alfajores in an airtight container to maintain softness and freshness.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Peruvian
  • Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour substitute)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 40mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: Peruvian alfajores, dulce de leche, soft cookies, caramel sandwich cookies, traditional Peruvian dessert, homemade alfajores, gluten-free alfajores, festive cookies