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Alfajores

An almond-flavored shortbread sandwich cookie with a rich caramel filling in the middle. Popular in South American countries.

Makes about 24

For the cookies:
1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup ground almonds (can be ground in a food processor)
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

For the filling:
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup half & half or light cream or evaporated milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the cookies:
Cream the butter with the powdered sugar until fluffy. Stir in salt, extracts, ground almonds and flour. Wrap and chill 30 minutes. (If you chill longer, you have to let the dough warm up a bit before it can be rolled. Or, do what professional pastry chefs do: whack it with a rolling pin until it becomes more malleable).

Mealwhile, make the filling:
In a medium saucepan, heat brown sugar with cream over medium heat. As it cooks, brush inner sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. This wipes away grainy sugar crystals. Heat until mixture reaches soft ball stage (238-240 F). Remove from heat - let cool to about 110 F. Stir in the butter and beat until mixture is thickened. Add vanilla. (Heat to loosen or add additional cream). If mixture is too thin, add in confectioners' sugar.

To bake the cookies:
Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut in 2-1/2-inch circles. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 350 F for 12-14 minutes. Cool baking sheets
between batches. Cool cookies on wire racks.

To assemble Alfajores:
Spread some caramel filling on a cookie. Top
with another cookie and press together nicely. Be careful, these are fragile. Dust tops with confectioner's sugar.

You Might Need:

• KitchenAid 4-1/2 quart Stand Mixer - only $179.95!

Reviews of Alfajores:

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6-15 of 51 reviews   << Previous - Next >>

  Manda in Ohio  Dec 8, 2009
Would make this again.
This is the most awesome cookie recipe! I have made them the last 4 Christmas's. five stars

  A cookie baker  Nov 24, 2009
Would make this again.
My family is from Peru and we make them every year . They are just sooo good . :) five stars

  A cookie baker  Nov 19, 2009
Would make this again.
Excellent! five stars

  ashley  Nov 19, 2009
Would make this again.
im from peru!!!
i really recommend it there really good........i eat them every holiday...and even todayy i brong one for my speach class and it realy cought the students attention!!!! five stars

  A cookie baker  Aug 2, 2009
Would make this again.
My husband is peruvian and I am Italian, I make many peruvian dishes. My mother in law taught me authentic peruvian cooking. My husband and kids love it.Now I will try this recipe for alphahores. Thanks five stars

  A cookie baker  Jun 21, 2009
Would make this again.
I made this alfajor recipe and gave some to my friends from Chile, they said that they were the best alfajores that they had eaten, and that they were even better then ones from Chile! Super good! five stars

  Aaron  Mar 30, 2009
Would make this again.
I'm so excited! A family member brought these back from Peru, and I really love them. I'll start making my own now, thanks! five stars

  kaylee in California  Feb 23, 2009
Would make this again.
I made these for a culture project for school. Everyone in my class loved them, and I got an A+ five stars

  Bella in Fayetteville, AR  Jan 26, 2009
Would make this again.
I made this for a Spanish project!
got an A!!
very yummy, everyone loved them!
would definitley make them again! five stars

   Jan 23, 2009
Would make this again.
hi thank you for all of your help i love your recipe Alfajores five stars

Recipe Info

four point nine stars
100% would make this again


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