National Dish Argentina: Alfajores (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Alfajores, Argentina’s best-loved sweet treat! Two impossibly tender biscuits sandwiched around a generous layer of dulce de leche, then finished with chocolate or a snowfall of icing sugar — they turn an ordinary afternoon coffee into something you will remember. A little piece of South America, baked in your own kitchen and shared around your own table.
About Alfajores
Alfajores are not merely a popular dessert in Argentina; they are a symbol of the country’s culture. These delicate biscuits consist of two tender shells filled with dulce de leche, the sweet caramel cream adored across South America. Some are coated in chocolate, others dusted with icing sugar, which gives them an irresistible look and an even more tempting flavour. Given how beloved they are, alfajores are the perfect companion to an afternoon coffee and an ideal gift for friends keen to explore Argentinian cooking.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 100g butter
- 100g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 250g plain flour
- 50g cornflour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Dulce de leche, to taste
- Chocolate or icing sugar, for finishing
Shopping for the ingredients
Before you start making your alfajores, gather everything you need. Most of the ingredients are available in any well-stocked supermarket, though a few — dulce de leche above all — may call for a trip to a specialist food shop or an online order. If quality matters to you, choose fresh, high-grade produce, especially for the butter and the eggs. Do not forget to pick up something to drink alongside them either: a good wine or a decent coffee is a wonderful match for these sweet biscuits.
Preparing the dish
Getting ready to bake alfajores is simple and genuinely enjoyable. First, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature, as this makes the dough far easier to work with. Prepare yourself for kneading the biscuit dough and clear a suitable work surface. A mixing bowl and a wooden board make light work of the whole thing, so even beginners will find the baking a pleasure.
Step-by-step instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and mix thoroughly.
- Add the flour, cornflour, baking powder and vanilla extract, and work everything into a smooth dough.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 0.5cm thick and cut out rounds with a cutter.
- Place the biscuits on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for roughly 10–12 minutes.
- Let the biscuits cool completely, then spread one with dulce de leche and top it with a second.
- Coat with chocolate or dust with icing sugar, as you prefer.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Would you like to make alfajores without gluten or lactose? Of course you can. For a gluten-free variant, use a blend of gluten-free flour and cornflour. Make sure the dulce de leche is lactose-free, or make a plant-based alternative yourself so that it meets your requirements. Adjustments like these let far more people enjoy these delicious biscuits.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For vegans, the recipe adapts easily. Swap the butter for plant-based margarine and replace the eggs with apple sauce or mashed banana as a binder. Take care to choose a vegan dulce de leche, or make your own using coconut milk and brown sugar. These variations ensure that vegans can enjoy alfajores too — much as they can with a bowl of Arroz Con Leche.
More tips and tricks
To get the best out of your alfajores, have all your kitchen equipment ready before you begin. Lining the baking tray with baking parchment stops the biscuits from sticking. Let them cool completely before filling, otherwise the dulce de leche will run out at the edges. Experiment with different fillings as well — jam or chocolate spread open up a whole new flavour direction.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Alfajores lend themselves to endless variation. Add spices such as cinnamon or a little lemon zest to the dough for a personal touch. Or play with different fillings, from fruit jam to hazelnut chocolate spread. By tailoring the ingredients to your own preferences you create a flavour experience that is entirely yours — and one that family and friends are sure to love.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have every ingredient for alfajores to hand, there are workable alternatives. Instead of dulce de leche you can use caramel sauce or chocolate hazelnut spread, though the classic caramel filling is what makes desserts such as Panqueques Con Dulce De Leche so distinctive. If you would rather avoid refined sugar, honey or agave syrup make sensible substitutes. Swaps like these let you shape the recipe around your own dietary needs.
Drink pairing ideas
To round off the pleasure of alfajores, a number of drinks work beautifully. A classic Argentinian Malbec is an excellent match for the sweet biscuits. Alternatively, a freshly brewed coffee or a strong espresso suits them very well. For an alcohol-free option, consider an aromatic tea, or the traditional Mate Cocido, which complements the flavour of the biscuits superbly.
Serving and presentation ideas
An attractive presentation can lift the whole alfajores experience. Use a pretty serving plate or a handsome tin and arrange the biscuits so they catch the eye. Decorate with icing sugar and chocolate to please the eye as much as the palate. A little care in the presentation makes the dessert especially appealing to guests and leaves a lasting impression.
A bit of history
Alfajores have a long and fascinating history reaching back to the Middle Ages. They arrived in Spain by way of Moorish cooking and later found their way to Latin America. In Argentina they grew into one of the most popular sweets of all and are today an indispensable part of the culture, standing alongside staples of Argentinian cuisine. Bear in mind that every region has its own style of alfajor, which shows just how varied and endearing these little delicacies are.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Alfajores
All in all, alfajores are not just an absolute treat but a piece of Argentinian culture on your plate. With their combination of tender biscuit and sweet dulce de leche, they suit any occasion. Thanks to their versatility they are easily adapted to personal taste, and allergy-friendly versions are equally straightforward to prepare. Enjoy the baking and the anticipation of these delicious biscuits — your palate will thank you for it.
