Sweetness takes root in the month of December. We eat houses of rich gingerbread, drink mugs upon mugs of a sweet chocolatey drink and tamper with sticky lined candy. The sweetness of the season is reciprocated by the joy of seasonal foods, but this notion is not unique to the United States. Though enjoyed throughout the year, Peruvians place Alfajores at the center of every Christmas party table. Alfajores, a delightful balance between sugary caramel and mild shortbread, makes for the perfect dessert, one able to be made and enjoyed by the entire family.
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Flour
1 Cup Cornstarch
1 Cup of Unsalted Butter
¾ Cup of Sugar
1 can of Dulce de Leche (Caramel)
Powdered Sugar
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar and butter (softened), until smooth.
- Let the bowl rest for approx. 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Sprinkle flour on the surface and begin rolling dough.
- Dough should be at most ½ an inch thick.
- Use a circular cookie cutter to cut out several pieces of dough.
- Place baking sheet on oven pan and evenly lay out cookies.
- Using a fork, make small holes on the surface of the cookie.
- At 350 degrees, bake cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until cookies are a uniform golden-brown color.
- With a spoon or piping bag, spread about a tablespoon and a half of Dulce de Leche on the smooth side of the cookie (side without holes).
- Top the caramel on the cookie with another cookie.
- Finish off with a heavy sprinkle of powdered sugar on the top cookie, creating an Alfajor!
Making Alfajores is simply beautiful, a recipe that can take you on a trip to the bottom half of the world! Try during your winter break for a fun seasonal activity. ¡Provecho!