Grandma’s Authentic Cornstarch Alfajores (Maicena Alfajores)

Soft, delicate, and they literally melt in your mouth… once you start, it's impossible to stop at just one! These traditional Argentine treats are a nostalgic hug in every bite.

Yields: 20–25 alfajores

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 200g butter (softened at room temperature)
• 150g sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 300g cornstarch
• 150g all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder

For the filling and decoration:

• 400g thick dulce de leche (repostero style)
• Desiccated coconut (as needed)

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Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Cream the base: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture is pale and creamy.
2. Add aromatics: Incorporate the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and the lemon zest.
3. Incorporate dry ingredients: Sift together the cornstarch, flour, and baking powder. Gently fold these into the wet mixture. Important: Do not overwork the dough; mix only until just combined to keep them tender.
4. Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it, and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Shape the cookies: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 5–7 mm thickness. Use a circular cutter to cut out the cookie rounds.
6. Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 160–170°C (320–340°F) for 10–12 minutes. The cookies should remain pale and not turn brown.
7. Assemble: Once completely cool, sandwich two cookies together with a generous amount of dulce de leche. Roll the edges of the alfajores in shredded coconut to finish.

✨ Grandma’s Secret Tips

• Hands off: Avoid over-kneading the dough, or the cookies will become tough instead of crumbly.
• The right filling: Always use "repostero" (thick) dulce de leche so it doesn't squeeze out the sides.
• Keep it light: Low and slow baking is key to getting that signature light color.
• Patience pays off: Let the assembled alfajores rest for a few hours before eating; it helps the flavors meld and improves the texture!