Alfajores: Argentina's Dulce De Leche Cookie Sandwiches

Alfajores Recipe: Bake Argentina's Dulce de Leche Cookies!

By Rafael CruzJune 18, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever wondered how to bring a touch of South America to your tea break? My alfajores recipe is your answer! These little shortbread caramel cookies are melt-in-your mouth delicious.

Brief Overview

These filled cookies , particularly popular in argentina, are like a hug in a cookie. this easy baking recipe is a medium difficulty, taking about an hour plus chilling.

You’ll get around 24 divine homemade cookies .

Main Benefits

This argentine cookies recipe offers a sweet escape with every bite, delivering a happy dose of comfort. they're perfect for impressing at afternoon tea or gifting to loved ones.

Honestly, what makes these sandwich cookies special? it's that perfect combo of crumbly goodness and rich caramel.

Alfajores: More Than Just Easy Cookies

Think of alfajores with coconut as a South American hug. The base is a tender, slightly crumbly cookie. The filling? A generous layer of dulce de leche.

Dulce de leche, if you aren't familiar, is like a sophisticated, slow cooked caramel. It's the star of the show! These Dulce de leche cookies are simply divine.

What Makes These Little Gems So Special?

These little delights are perfect with a coffee, or even as part of a fancy dessert platter. Plus, they're just so darn pretty. Imagine gifting a box of these!

Ready to try your hand at this classic South American cookies recipe? Trust me, the effort is worth every single bite. Let’s get started!

Let's Talk Alfajores: The Good Stuff

So, you want to make alfajores recipe ? good choice! think about these filled cookies as a hug in cookie form.

Trust me, they're worth it. this is not just a recipe, it's my abuela's easy baking and a family tradition.

What You'll Need: The List

Here's what you need to nail these Argentine dulce de leche cookies .

Main Ingredients Breakdown

Flour Power: 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour. Plain flour, nothing fancy!
Cornstarch Superstar: 1 cup (125g) cornstarch. Key to that melt-in-your mouth texture. Honestly, don't skip this.
Leavening Agents: 1 teaspoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon baking soda. A dynamic duo for that perfect lift.
Salty Sass: ¼ teaspoon salt. Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
Butter Bliss: 1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) unsalted butter, softened. Quality butter makes a difference, I swear!.
Sweetness Factor: ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar.
Yolks Only!: 2 large egg yolks. They add richness and bind everything together.
Vanilla Vibes: 1 tablespoon (15ml) vanilla extract. Good quality vanilla, please!.
Milky Way: 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk.
Zesty Zing (Optional): 1 tablespoon lemon zest. My grandma always added this for a bit of tang!
Dulce de Leche Dreams: 1 (13.4 ounce/380g) can dulce de leche. Get the good stuff; it matters. I've tried the cheap brands, and it's just not the same. It needs to be smooth and creamy.
Coconut Kisses: ½ cup (50g) shredded coconut or powdered sugar. For coating. I love coconut, but powdered sugar is classic.

Seasoning & Flavor Magic

The key here is simplicity. Vanilla and lemon (if you're feeling fancy) are your main flavor players. Remember, good vanilla is worth the splurge.

The Toolkit: Gear Up

Don't worry, you don't need a pro kitchen.

Mixer Mayhem: Stand mixer or hand mixer. Either works. My first homemade cookies were made with a fork!
Bowl Big Enough: A large mixing bowl. Obvious, but essential.
Rolling Adventure: Rolling pin.
Cookie Cutter Cutie: 2 inch round cookie cutter. For the classic shape.
Baking Sheet Bonanza: Baking sheets.
Parchment Paper Pal: Parchment paper. Non-stick is your friend!.
Cooling Rack Champion: Wire rack. Prevents soggy bottoms.

These south american cookies (or shortbread caramel cookies!) are easier to make than you think. trust me, this alfajores with coconut version of the argentine cookies recipe are well worth the time .

Let's Get Baking: Alfajores Recipe!

Oh my gosh, are you ready for this? we're diving into the wonderful world of alfajores recipe ! these homemade cookies are like a warm hug from argentina.

Seriously, they are the best filled cookies i know.

I first tried these at a little argentine bakery in london. honestly, it was love at first bite! so, now i’m sharing my take on the classic.

Ready to bring some south american sunshine into your kitchen? these are not just any sandwich cookies , these are special dulce de leche cookies .

Prep Like a Pro

Essential mise en place: Get everything measured. Flour, cornstarch, butter all that jazz.
Time saving organization tips: I like to cream the butter and sugar while the dry ingredients hang out together.
Safety reminders: No licking the beaters until the eggs are cooked! Seriously, don't do it.

step-by-step: From Mess to Masterpiece

Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Cream 1 cup softened butter and ¾ cup sugar until fluffy.
Beat in 2 egg yolks, then 1 tbsp vanilla. Add lemon zest if you're feeling fancy.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, alternating with 2 tbsp milk. Don’t overmix!
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Seriously, don't skip this.
Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut with a 2 inch round cutter.
Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 12- 15 minutes . Look for lightly golden edges.
Sandwich with dulce de leche and roll in coconut. Boom!

Pro Tips for Alfajores Glory

Don't overmix the dough! I can't stress this enough. Overmixing = tough cookies. No one wants that.
Chill that dough, babes! Chilling prevents spreading. It's a must.
If you want to make these into Shortbread caramel cookies , reduce the amount of starch and replace with flour and use a shortbread dough.

These easy cookies are the perfect way to brighten any day! once you've mastered this argentine cookies recipe , you’ll be the star baker of your family.

And trust me, that dulce de leche is pure happiness. it's the taste of sunshine, you know? if you wanted to try it, you could easily coat these alfajores with coconut .

I hope you love this easy baking recipe. It's one of my faves, and I think you'll adore it too! These South American cookies are worth it.

Recipe Notes for your Alfajores Recipe

Alright, you're about to dive into making alfajores: argentina's dulce de leche cookie sandwiches . here are a few extra bits and bobs to help you nail this recipe.

Trust me; these little tips can make a world of difference!

Serving Suggestions: Let's Get Fancy!

These aren't just any filled cookies . These are special! Think about how you want to show them off.

For plating, a simple dusting of extra powdered sugar? Classic! Or, arrange them on a pretty platter with a few fresh berries. Bam! Instant elegance.

Homemade cookies like these are fab with a strong coffee, mate tea or even a sweet dessert wine. Chef's kiss .

Storage Tips: Keep 'em Fresh

So, you’ve made a batch of these awesome South American cookies . Now what?

Keep your alfajores with coconut in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll stay good for about 3-4 days. Honestly, they rarely last that long in my house.

Freezing is an option too. wrap each one individually in cling film, then pop them into a freezer bag. they’ll be good for up to a month.

Defrost at room temperature before scoffing them.

Variations: Let's Get Wild!

Fancy a twist on your dulce de leche cookies ? I got you.

For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Easy peasy!.

Seasonal twist? Use a citrus infused dulce de leche in the filling during the citrus season. Just a thought!.

You know easy baking should not be boring, so don't be afraid to let your creativity shine.

Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff

Okay, let’s be real. These are treats! But here’s a quick rundown:

Each sandwich cookie is roughly 220 calories. They've got some protein, some fat, and of course, sugar!

The main benefit? Pure happiness! Look, they are just easy cookies so it is ok to indulge once in a while.

Now you're armed with all the insider knowledge. Grab that Argentine cookies recipe and get baking. Making shortbread caramel cookies at home is easier than you think and the result is absolutely worth it! You've got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are alfajores, and why should I bother making this alfajores recipe?

Alfajores are delightful sandwich cookies, popular in South America, particularly Argentina. Think of them as a sophisticated upgrade to your average biscuit. This alfajores recipe combines delicate, melt-in-your mouth cookies with a luscious dulce de leche filling, making them utterly irresistible.

Trust us, once you try them, you'll be hooked!

My alfajores dough is a crumbly disaster! What did I do wrong?

Don't panic, we've all been there! Crumbly dough usually means the ratio of wet to dry ingredients is off, or the butter was too cold. Make sure your butter is properly softened (but not melted!) and that you're not overmixing the dough.

Overmixing develops the gluten, which can lead to tough and crumbly cookies - a proper Catch-22! Gently bring the dough together and chill it well before rolling.

Can I make alfajores ahead of time, or do I need to whip them up right before serving?

Good news! Alfajores are perfect for making ahead. The cookies themselves can be baked and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Assemble the alfajores closer to serving time to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy from the dulce de leche.

Assembled alfajores are best enjoyed within 24 hours, but will still be delicious for a couple of days if stored properly.

I can't find dulce de leche anywhere! Is there a substitute I can use for this alfajores recipe?

Dulce de leche is the star of the show, but if you're in a pinch, you could try using a thick, high-quality caramel sauce. However, be warned, it won't have quite the same depth of flavor.

You can also make your own dulce de leche by simmering a can of sweetened condensed milk (label removed!) in a pot of water for 2-3 hours. Just be super careful, it's like a pressure cooker experiment gone wrong if you don't watch it closely!

Are there any variations I can try to spice up my alfajores? I'm feeling a bit adventurous!

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment. For chocolate alfajores, add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. Lemon zest or a touch of instant espresso powder can also add a lovely twist.

Instead of shredded coconut, try rolling the edges in chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even cocoa powder for a different look and flavor. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!

How can I keep my alfajores from spreading too much while baking?

The key to preventing spreading is chilling the dough thoroughly and ensuring your oven is at the correct temperature. Chilling firms up the butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape. Also, avoid overmixing the dough, as this develops gluten, which can cause the cookies to spread.

If you're still having trouble, try chilling the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for another 15 minutes before baking.