Maizena Alfajores

Classic Argentinian cookies with dulce de leche filling

Description

Maizena alfajores are soft, sandy cookies filled with dulce de leche, traditionally dusted with powdered sugar or coated in shredded coconut.

Ingredients (for 20 alfajores)

• 200g all-purpose flour
• 300g cornstarch (Maizena)
• 200g butter
• 150g sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 400g dulce de leche (for filling)
• Shredded coconut or powdered sugar for coating

Steps

1. Beat softened butter with sugar until creamy.
2. Add egg yolks one at a time, then vanilla extract and lemon zest.
3. Sift together flour, cornstarch and baking powder.
4. Incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture in parts, without overworking.
5. Form homogeneous dough, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Roll dough to 5mm thickness and cut 5cm diameter circles.
7. Place on floured baking sheet and bake at 180°C for 10-12 minutes (should not brown).
8. Let cool completely on wire rack.
9. Fill with dulce de leche, joining two cookies together.
10. Coat edges with shredded coconut or dust with powdered sugar.

Variations

• Coat in semi-sweet chocolate
• Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to dough for chocolate alfajores
• Fill with fruit jam instead of dulce de leche