Alfajores Dessert - History and Recipe

Of course! I can help you with that. I’ll be your guide as we explore the history and preparation of the delicious Alfajores.

Alfajores are a traditional confection that has a rich history dating back to the Moorish occupation of Andalusia, Spain. The Arabs who invaded Andalusia between 700 and 1,400 A.C. brought with them a similar dessert made of small cookies or wafers. These cookies were then adapted by the Spaniards, who eventually brought the recipe to South America, where it became a popular treat.

The first Alfajores recipes were found in southern Spain, where they were made with flour, honey, and nuts. Over time, the recipe evolved, and different variations emerged in different regions. In Argentina, for example, Alfajores are typically made with dulce de leche, a sweet milk caramel, and are often coated in chocolate.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to prepare Alfajores:

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the filling:
- 1 can (14 ounces) dulce de leche
For the coating:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
Cream the butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut out the cookies: Using a cookie cutter, cut out 2-inch circles from the dough.
Bake the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
Prepare the filling: While the cookies are baking, prepare the dulce de leche filling.
Assemble the Alfajores: Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a generous amount of dulce de leche on one cookie. Top with another cookie.
Coat the Alfajores: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Dip the Alfajores in the glaze and let them dry completely.