What Are Alfajores? Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookie Recipe

Alfajores are a traditional dulce de leche sandwich cookie found in many Latin American countries, including Argentina, Peru, and Chile. They’re made by baking soft shortbread cookie rounds and using dulce de leche (also called manjar) as a filling to sandwich the cookie together. The result is a buttery and crumbly pastry that melts in your mouth.

There are many different variations on alfajores cookies, such as dusting it in powdered sugar, rolling it in shredded coconut, or dipping it in dark or white chocolate. Most South American countries have their own unique cookie recipes and toppings for alfajores, including the following:

• Argentina: The Argentinian variation takes the traditional cookie sandwich and rolls it along the edge in shredded coconut.
• Chile: The Chilean variation sometimes substitutes dulce de leche with chancaca, a syrupy cream made by evaporating unrefined cane sugar.
• Peru: The Peruvian variations differ by region, and include using a honey or molasses filling, topping in granulated sugar or walnuts, or using spices like anise or cinnamon.

The history of alfajores begins in the Middle East:

• Origins: Alfajores most likely originated in the Middle East as long, thin pastries with toppings like almonds and sugar.
• Eighth century: The recipe reached Spain in the eighth century during the Moor occupation of the Iberian peninsula, which is when the Spaniards invented their own version of the alfajor as a soft cookie with creamy fillings.
• Sixteenth century: In the sixteenth century, Spanish conquistadors brought the recipe with them to South America.
• Nineteenth century: By the nineteenth century, countries across Latin America had adopted alfajores as a traditional confection, developing their own recipes and variations.
• Modern day: Today, alfajores are found throughout South America in households and bakeries. They’re eaten as a dessert, breakfast confection, or as a mid-day treat.

While alfajores are most commonly found in Latin American countries, the name’s etymology goes back to its roots in the Middle East. The name alfajores may have originated from Arabic words such as “al-fakher,” which translates to luxurious, “al-hasu,” which means filled, or “alfahua,” which means honeycomb.

When the cookies reached Spain, they became referred to as alaju, which eventually evolved into alfajor. Once they reached South America, they became known as alfajores.