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The dessert, From around the world

Alfajores

Alfajores are Argentine shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut, this recipe makes 24 cookies for 6 people. They need 45 minutes of hands on time, the cookies bake the night before and get assembled the next day. The level is easy, the cost is about €1.30 per person, and the key is never letting the cookies brown in the oven.

I'm making alfajores, these melt in your mouth Argentine shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut.

Alfajores
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
2 h 30
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.30
Calories per person
340 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

An alfajor starts with a surprising texture, a shortbread that almost dissolves without needing to chew, thanks to cornstarch replacing part of the flour. Dulce de leche brings a deep, milky caramel flavor, and the coconut adds a light crunch around the edges. Nothing here is overly sweet, everything stays round and soft on the palate.

This dessert fits a dinner with friends just as naturally as a birthday party, since it's eaten with your fingers and pleases kids and adults alike. It works well after a dish with some kick, or on a platter of little cookies alongside coffee, any time of year with no seasonal limits.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 3 steps, 1 h 27
  2. The same day 2 steps, 15 min
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The night before, make the dough, let it rest in the fridge, then bake the cookies without browning them. The next day, sandwich the alfajores with dulce de leche and roll the edges in coconut, then keep them covered in the fridge. Right before serving, take them out of the fridge 15 minutes ahead so they get soft again.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • All purpose flouroften in the pantry 200 g
  • Cornstarchoften in the pantry 200 g
  • Powdered sugaroften in the pantry 100 g
  • Baking powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Rumoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Dulce de leche 300 g
  • Shredded coconutoften in the pantry 80 g

Dairy

  • Softened butter 180 g
  • Egg yolks 3

Fruits and vegetables

  • Untreated lemon 1

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Mix the softened butter with the powdered sugar, add the egg yolks, lemon zest and rum, then fold in the sifted flour, cornstarch and baking powder until you get a soft dough. 15 min

    Work the dough as little as possible, overworking it makes it hard instead of melting.

  2. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge. 1 h

    The dough firms up as it chills, which lets you roll it out without it sticking.

  3. Roll out the dough to 5mm thick, cut 24 rounds of 5cm and bake them on a sheet at 170°C without letting them brown. 12 min

    The cookies should stay almost white, too much color is what makes them dry.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Let the cookies cool completely, then sandwich them in pairs with a generous spoonful of dulce de leche. 15 min

    If your dulce de leche is too firm, microwave it for 10 seconds, it will spread without breaking the cookies.

  2. Roll the edge of each alfajor in shredded coconut and keep them covered.

    The dulce de leche acts as glue, press gently while turning and the coconut sticks on its own.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Arrange the alfajores on a plate, they're better slightly soft after a night of resting.

    Take them out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving, the dulce de leche softens back up.

Our tips to get it right

  • Weigh the flour and cornstarch instead of measuring by volume, the balance between the two creates the signature melt in your mouth texture.
  • Cut the rounds from cold dough straight out of the fridge, it holds its shape better in the oven and won't spread.
  • Keep one extra cookie on hand in case one breaks while lifting it off the baking sheet, the dough is fragile once baked.

The variations

  • Swap the rum for vanilla extract if you're serving kids, the flavor stays sweet and friendly.
  • For a quicker version, use store bought dulce de leche straight from the jar and just warm it slightly to spread it more easily.
  • Roll some cookies in melted dark chocolate instead of coconut, for a nice mix of textures on the platter.

What to serve it with

  • A strong coffee after dinner
  • A fragrant black tea
  • A glass of sweet dessert wine

Storage

Alfajores keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper so the coconut doesn't stick together. They don't freeze well once assembled, since the dulce de leche changes texture when thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Can I make alfajores without rum?

Yes, replace the rum with the same amount of vanilla extract or just water. The cookies stay just as melt in your mouth, only the subtle boozy note disappears.

How do I keep the cookies from breaking when assembling?

Let the cookies cool completely before handling them, they're very fragile while still warm. Place the dulce de leche in the center without pressing too hard when closing them.

Can I use store bought dulce de leche?

Yes, that's actually what the recipe uses, pick a thick one so it doesn't ooze out between the cookies. If it's too firm, warm it for a few seconds to soften it.

How many alfajores does this recipe make?

The recipe makes 24 cookies, which means 12 assembled alfajores, or two per person for 6 guests. That's a generous amount for a dessert that disappears in a bite or two.

Can some alfajores be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 3 steps, the same day, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make some alfajores?

Allow 2 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in some alfajores?

About 340 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does some alfajores cost?

About €1.30 per person, that's €7.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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