Peruvian Alfajores With Manjar Blanco | CookOS

Peruvian Alfajores With Manjar Blanco

Name: Peruvian Alfajores With Manjar Blanco
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 18 servings
Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 cup cornstarch; ¾ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting; ⅛ tsp salt; 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 large egg yolk; ½ cup manjar blanco or dulce de leche; ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Peruvian alfajores are delicate butter cookies made with cornstarch and flour, sandwiched with manjar blanco—a silky caramel spread that melts on the tongue. These fragile, melt-in-mouth treats are dusted with powdered sugar and represent a beloved Latin American dessert tradition.

🌍Latin American 🥗Vegetarian 🏷️Alfajores 🏷️Peruvian 🏷️Sandwich cookies Manjar blanco

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Total

45 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$17–$28

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
¾ cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
⅛ tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 large egg yolk
½ cup manjar blanco or dulce de leche
¼ tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl whisk together 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup cornstarch, ¾ cup powdered sugar, and ⅛ tsp salt until combined.
2
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 2 sticks butter and 1 egg yolk together on medium speed until well combined, about 4 minutes
3
Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated and then increase to medium and mix until dough resembles loose gravel, about 7 minutes
4
Line two Suvie pans with parchment paper. Divide dough between the two pans, and press into an even layer with the back of a measuring cup. Refrigerate pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to Suvie, input settings, and cook now.
5
Bottom Zone: Bake at 300°F for 25 minutes (for Suvie 2.0, Bake at 350°F), Top Zone: Bake at 300°F for 25 minutes (for Suvie 2.0, Bake at 350°F)
6
While the cookies bake, stir cinnamon into manjar blanco; set aside.
7
Immediately after the cookies finish baking, remove from Suvie and lift out of pans with parchment sling. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 18 pieces in a 3 by 6 grid.
8
Allow cookies to cool and then spread about 1-2 tsp manjar blanco onto half the cookies and then top with a second cookie. Dust with powdered sugar and then serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting—cornstarch-heavy doughs are fragile and benefit from cold handling.
Use a light hand when sandwiching: spread 1 teaspoon of manjar blanco per cookie pair to avoid seepage and structural stress.
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving or within a few hours; humidity will cause it to dissolve into the cookie surface over time.
Bake only until the edges are set and pale gold—these cookies continue to firm as they cool and overbaking makes them dry and crumbly.

Substitutions

Manjar blanco → dulce de leche (1:1 swap, identical texture and flavor)
All purpose flour → cake flour (reduces gluten, makes cookies more delicate)
Unsalted butter → salted butter (omit the salt and reduce by ⅛ tsp)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Alfajores do not require refrigeration but can be chilled for a firmer texture.

Common Questions

What is manjar blanco and can I substitute it?

Manjar blanco is a thick, sweet caramel spread similar to dulce de leche. You can substitute dulce de leche directly, or use sweetened condensed milk reduced on low heat for 1-2 hours until thickened.

Why does my alfajores dough fall apart when baking?

The high cornstarch content makes the dough fragile. Chill the dough thoroughly, handle it minimally, and bake at the correct temperature. Underbaking slightly keeps them tender rather than brittle.

How long do alfajores stay fresh?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The filling may soften over time, which is normal. They don't require refrigeration but can be chilled if you prefer a firmer texture.

Can I make alfajores ahead of time?

Yes. Bake and cool the cookies up to 2 days ahead, then fill and dust with powdered sugar 1-2 hours before serving for the best texture.

What's the difference between alfajores and shortbread?

Alfajores use cornstarch for a more delicate, sandy crumb, while shortbread relies mainly on flour and butter. Alfajores are also sandwiched and filled, making them a complete cookie dessert.