Description
Heart-Shaped Alfajores with Dulce de Leche Filling are tender, buttery Latin American sandwich cookies filled with creamy, caramel-like dulce de leche. These charming heart-shaped treats offer a perfect balance of soft cookie texture and rich, sweet filling, ideal for celebrations, gifts, or a cozy indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated or superfine sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling
- 1 cup dulce de leche
For Garnish (Optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Grated coconut or finely chopped toasted nuts (almonds or pecans), for rolling edges
- Melted dark or milk chocolate, for dipping edges
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, blending well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, combining gently until a soft dough forms. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out rounds and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave a little space between the cookies to prevent spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the heart-shaped cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until just set and slightly golden on the edges. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft, tender texture. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Assemble the Alfajores: Once cookies are cooled, spread a generous spoonful of dulce de leche on the flat side of one cookie. Sandwich gently with another cookie, pressing slightly to spread the filling evenly. For added charm, dust with powdered sugar or dip the edges in grated coconut or nuts if desired.
Notes
- Chill the dough well to prevent spreading and maintain heart shape.
- Use good-quality, authentic dulce de leche for best flavor.
- Handle cookies gently during assembly since they are delicate.
- Consider baking a test batch to adjust thickness or baking time if needed.
- Do not skip cornstarch; it gives alfajores their signature soft texture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 alfajor (2 cookies with filling)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg