Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies)

These Peruvian dulce de leche cookies called alfajores are buttery and sweet with a touch of vanilla. Try them for your next big gathering.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 175 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (11.5 ounce) jar dulce de leche
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 0.25 cup sifted cornstarch
• 0.25 cup confectioners' sugar, or as needed for dusting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until just starting to turn golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Mix flour, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a bowl.

Step 4

Beat butter with an electric mixer in a separate bowl until soft and fluffy. Mix in white sugar and vanilla until well combined.

Step 5

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in 3 batches, beating until just blended after each addition. Divide dough in half, roll each half into a log, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Step 6

Slice dough logs into forty-eight 1/4-inch-thick cookies and place onto ungreased baking sheets.

Step 7

Remove from the oven and let cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 8

Use a knife to generously spread dulce de leche onto 1/2 of the cooled cookies. Sandwich remaining cookies on top and place onto a serving tray.

Step 9

Lightly dust finished cookies with remaining confectioners' sugar.