- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
- Calories
- 765 kcal
Quick summary
“These artisanal alfajores are assembled with buttery dough discs filled with firm dulce de leche and dipped in chocolate. The homemade preparation delivers a soft texture that melts with every bite.”
What you need to know
- Resting the dough in the refrigerator for 15 minutes firms the butter and prevents the disks from deforming when rolling out.
- The oven point of 15 minutes at 180°C should brown only the base, keeping the top of the cookies light and soft.
- The complete bath in melted dark chocolate seals the internal moisture of the dulce de leche.
Ingredients
Main
- 200g of wheat flour
- 100g of sugar
- 100g of butter at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 200g of doce de leite
- Bittersweet chocolate for topping, to taste
Instructions
Principal
- In a container, mix the butter and sugar until you get a creamy dough.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and add gradually to the mixture, forming a homogeneous dough.
- Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it is 0.5 cm thick.
- Cut the dough into circles with the cookie cutter.
- Place the circles on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Fill half of the cookies with dulce de leche and cover with the other half.
- Melt the chocolate and dip the alfajores in the coating, placing them to dry on paper towels.
- Sirva e aproveite!
Chef's tips
- Roll out the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap to avoid using too much flour and preserve the softness of the discs.
- Apply the dulce de leche with a piping bag in the center of the cookie and press the top to spread evenly.
- Rest dipped alfajores on parchment paper so they set without sticking to the work surface.
Variations
- Cornstarch Alfajor: roll the dulce de leche-filled edges in finely shredded coconut without dipping in chocolate.
- Alfajor with ganache: replace the dulce de leche with firm dark chocolate ganache flavored with rum.
- Coffee alfajor: add a teaspoon of instant coffee dissolved in the butter during the cream stage.
Substitutions
- Half of the wheat flour can be replaced by cornstarch to obtain a dough with an even more crumbly texture.
- The semi-sweet chocolate of the topping can be swapped for white chocolate or coconut flakes on the sides.
- Unsalted butter can be replaced by culinary margarine with 80% lipids.
How to store
Store the dipped alfajores in an airtight container lined with parchment paper in a cool, airy place for up to 10 days. Keep away from direct heat to prevent the chocolate shell from melting and losing its shine.
Can it be frozen?
They can be frozen already dipped in chocolate and wrapped individually in aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge for 2 hours before serving at room temperature to preserve the crust.
What to serve with
Pairs very well with full-bodied espresso, cappuccino with cinnamon, or unsweetened Earl Grey black tea. At festive gatherings, they make up a table of fine sweets with an elegant and refined look.
Frequently asked questions
How to season or melt the chocolate so the shell stays firm?
Melt in a double boiler or microwave on medium power up to 45°C and stir until it cools to 31°C to form a crunchy and shiny shell.
What is the ideal consistency of dulce de leche so it doesn't leak?
Use firm dulce de leche for cutting or pastry-grade; very fluid sweets run and make chocolate dipping difficult.
Can I keep the alfajores in the refrigerator?
It is recommended to store in a cool place outside the refrigerator; intense cold can leave the chocolate opaque and with whitish spots.
Why did the dough shrink or break when opened with the rolling pin?
If the dough is handled hot or kneaded too much, it develops gluten; let cool for 15 minutes in the refrigerator and open delicately.
