Alfajores

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a small bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 0.5 cup cornstarch, 0.5 teaspoon baking powder, and 0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, beat 0.5 cup room-temperature unsalted butter and 0.75 cup granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Stop to scrape down the bowl halfway through.

Step 4

Add 2 large egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated. The batter should look smooth and creamy.

Step 5

Reduce the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture in two additions, mixing just until the dough comes together — do not overmix, or the cookies will be tough. The dough should be soft but hold together when pinched.

Step 6

Scoop the dough using a small cookie scoop or rounded tablespoon, spacing them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets — you should have about 24 cookies total. Gently flatten each one slightly with the bottom of a glass.

Step 7

Bake on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just golden but the centers still look slightly underdone — they will continue to cook as they cool. The cookies should be pale golden, not brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8

Once the cookies are completely cool, match them into pairs of similar size. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of dulce de leche onto the flat side of one cookie, then gently press another cookie flat-side down onto the filling to create a sandwich.

Step 9

If using the coconut garnish, gently roll the edges of each alfajor in 0.5 cup unsweetened shredded coconut so it adheres to the filling. Arrange on a serving plate and serve at room temperature or chilled — the dulce de leche will be creamier if the cookies have been refrigerated for at least 30 minutes.