Recipe Alfajores de Maicena

Alfajores are really delicious desserts that can be appreciated by people of all ages. Its preparation may vary a bit from country to country, but the essence of a sweet filling together with the texture of a soft sprinkled biscuit are maintained in its different versions.

Cornstarch alfajores

Among the cornstarch recipes, the alfajor enjoys great popularity as a dessert category, especially in Latin America, where the Argentine version of cornstarch alfajores is one of the best known in the world. However, the recipes for the Uruguayan alfajores are also to be praised, as well as those from Peru or Venezuela, since each one presents its own nuances of flavors.

This popular dessert is basically made up of 2 cookies that have a filling, which can be jam, chocolate, hazelnut cream, dulce de leche, etc. In some cases, it is usually soaked in ingredients such as grated coconut, icing, cereals filled with milk or powdered sugar and can be enjoyed with the beverage of your choice, either hot or cold.

If you have dared to prepare them, the following could be considered as a version of the Argentine alfajores recipe, since it has its respective filling and a side of grated coconut, to give it a touch of texture:

Tips for making the recipe

To make the alfajores dough, we advise you to use a mixer, with the intention of saving time and preventing you from getting tired mixing by hand. In addition, it is essential that the dough obtain a certain texture, which is difficult to achieve manually.

In this sense, it is convenient to emphasize that a mini oven would be good for cooking, since it will help you easily control the process of preparing these desserts at home.

Dulce de leche recipe

Dulce de leche is what we will use in this alfajor recipe. Keep in mind that its preparation can last from 2 to 3 hours, so you must take the necessary precautionary measures.

Ingredients for the dulce de leche

1 liter of whole milk

350 grams of sugar

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon vanilla

Preparation of the sweet milk

In a saucepan, pour the milk together with the sugar and heat it over medium heat. Once dissolved, proceed to add the vanilla together with the bicarbonate, and then mix everything.

When all the ingredients of the dulce de leche are incorporated, lower the heat as much as possible and let it cook for a space of 2 hours, taking care to stir with a wooden paddle, to prevent it from sticking or burning. You must be very careful, since it is essential that the mixture does not boil.

Over time, you will be able to notice how the milk loses its percentage of water and its volume will decrease, in addition to darkening little by little. In addition to this, it will also start to thicken.

Remove the pot from the heat when the dulce de leche is smooth in texture, but not too soft, and its color is light brown. Continue mixing with the palette for a couple more minutes, to prevent it from sticking when it cools down and you will have your dulce de leche ready to make the alfajores.

Alfajor cookie recipe

The other essential ingredient in this recipe is the cookie. Its preparation is simple and does not require rest, so you can make it in a short time.

Ingredients for the dough

300 grams of cornstarch

250 grams of margarine

200 grams of flour

150 grams of sugar

3 eggs

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 lemon

1 cup grated coconut

Preparation of the dough

Take a large bowl and first add the sugar and margarine, beating at medium level, until you get a smooth dough. Then, add the egg yolks, while allowing the smoothie to incorporate them into the mixture. Once ready, add a little lemon zest to eliminate the egg flavor or, if you prefer, you can also use vanilla to taste.

Separately, sift the flour together with the baking powder, to get rid of the lumps and facilitate mixing with the prepared margarine. When you have it ready, turn off the mixer and start adding it little by little to the margarine mixture, only this time, you will knead with your hands.

As soon as the dough has acquired a consistent and malleable texture, which does not stick, you can spread it on a surface previously filled with flour, to prevent it from sticking. Now, with the help of a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it reaches a thickness of 0.5 centimeters and begin to take out the portions with a medium-sized circular cutter.

Next, take the tray previously prepared with butter and flour and place the alfajor cookie pieces neatly on it. Take them to the mini oven for a space of between 5 to 7 minutes or until they are golden on the outside.

Assembling cornstarch alfajores

Now that you have both the dulce de leche and the cookies ready, the time has come to assemble the cornstarch alfajores. For this, take one of the cookies and spread the dulce de leche on one of its sides with a knife, and then put another cookie on top. Remember to put enough filling, since alfajores are also well known for this.

On the other hand, in a container, empty the grated coconut together with the sugar, to submerge each of the alfajores in the mixture, until each of the spaces is covered. Let them rest on a tray and they are ready to be enjoyed.

Remember that, to store them, it is advisable to use a plastic container with a lid, to prevent insects from being attracted by the aroma and that the air does not affect the texture of the cookie.