Alfajor

How to Make Alfajores de Maicena

Ingredients and Preparation

• The recipe focuses on making alfajores, specifically known as alfajores de maicena in Argentina. A key ingredient is high-quality butter, preferred over margarine for better flavor and texture.

• To prepare the dough, mix cornstarch (fécula de maíz), powdered sugar (azúcar pulverizada), flour, and cold butter by hand until a homogeneous mixture forms. If the dough is too soft due to warm weather, add more flour or refrigerate it.

Rolling and Cutting the Dough

• Roll out the dough to about 5 millimeters thick using a rolling pin. It can be rolled on a silicone mat (sil) which prevents sticking during baking.

• Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the rolled dough. It's recommended that the cookies be slightly thick to avoid them becoming too fragile after baking.

Baking Process

• Bake the cookies at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 10 minutes. Monitor closely; they should start to brown but not become overly dark, as this could lead to bitterness.

• After baking, allow the cookies to cool down. For added firmness, place them in the freezer for about half an hour before filling them with dulce de leche (arequipe).