Traditional Alfajores - Caramel Sandwich Cookies |
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Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 30 Minutes Servings: 24 |
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Alfajores come in many sizes and flavors. Each region of South America has its own version this one is from Peru. Alfajores are excellent when they are freshly made, so that the crisp cookies contrast the soft filling, but many people prefer to wait a couple of days for the cookies to soften, so that the cookie and the filling have the same texture. This traditional recipe calls for a touch of Pisco, a South American brandy, in the cookie dough. You can substitute any brandy for the Pisco if needed. Ingredients:
1 cup cornstarch |
1 3/4 cups flour |
1/2 teaspoon baking powder |
1 teaspoon salt |
1 cup butter |
1/2 cup powdered sugar |
1 -2 tablespoon pisco or 1 -2 tablespoon brandy |
1 teaspoon vanilla |
1 cup dulce de leche |
1 cup iceing sugar |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix briefly.
3. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture, blending with your fingers until the mixture is smooth.
4. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and Pisco, and mix with your hands until the dough is homogeneous and smooth (add a little extra Pisco if dough is too crumbly to form a ball).
5. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
6. Roll out dough to 3/8 thickness, and cut into 2 inch circles.
7. Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. .Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes, until they are barely golden brown. Let cookies cook 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.
9. To fill the cookies, spread one cookie with dulce de leche and top with second cookie. Roll the edges in the coconut.
10. Store in an airtight container.
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