''Alfajores de Maizena''-''Cornstarch Sandwich Cookies''
Alfajores- pronounce "al-pha-hor-es" are very similar to Shortbread Cookies. Soft and buttery...just perfect for afternoon tea, tea parties, holidays or whenever you feel like eating something sweet! Alfajores are assembled in a very particular way; just two buttery tender cookies, smeared with Dulce De Leche. Yes, dulce de leche on one cookie and sandwich with another. Delectable!!!
If you never heard about these delightful, buttery, soft cookies before, I urge you to try it! Simply Heavenly!
''Every bite of Alfajores reminds me of Argentina--afternoon tea, coffee shops by the street, people, different aromas and beautiful places that make me dream away.''
Alfajores de Maizena with Dulce de Leche "Cornstarch Sandwich Cookies with Dulce de Leche"
This recipe is a basic recipe for Alfajores and it is well known in Argentina. Substitute for Dulce de Leche: I recommend ' Nestle Highlander Caramel 'Scottish style 400 g approx / About 2 Cups -Or 'La Lechera' Dulce De Leche by Nestle.
For the Dough:
200 g / 1 1/2 Cups All-purpose flour
268 g / 2 1/2 Cups Corn Starch
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 tsp Baking Powder
180 g / 3/4 Cups Sugar
200 g / 7 ounces Butter ( at room temperature)
1 Egg + 2 Egg yolks
1 tsp. Vanilla extract or imitation vanilla
1 1/2 Tbsp. Lemon zest
The Filling:
You'll need about 400 g approx / About 2 Cups
Shredded coconut, optional
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 175 C/ 350 F . Sift the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder.
In a bowl cream the butter (not melted) with the sugar. Add egg yolks (one at a time and mixing well each time), the vanilla extract/imitation vanilla and the lemon zest. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients mix well. Knead with your hands until it forms dough consistent. Keep in mind "Not to overwork the dough. The dough should be slightly kneader.
Cover and refrigerate for about 45 minutes. (Or refrigerate overnight and use it the next day)
When ready, roll out the dough very carefully onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out to about 5 mm / 1/4 inch thick. Cut with a round cookie cutter. Repeat the rolling and cutting until you have used all the dough.
Place the cookies on a parchment-paper-lined cookie sheet, and bake in a 175 C/ ( 350 F ) oven for about 15-20 minutes. Check often. The dough color should be white, not golden brown. It could appear undone but it's not. So don't be afraid. It's normal!
Remove the cookies and place them in a rack let them cool completely. Then place a generous dollop of dulce de leche of one cookie and carefully place another cookie on top (like a sandwich). Press gently together and let the dulce de leche to the corners of the cookie sandwich and make them roll on some shredded coconut. Now, sit down, relax and enjoy!