Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Special equipment needed:
- Rolling pin
- 2-inch round cookie cutter
- Parchment paper
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles of dough. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
8. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet.
9. Once the cookies are cool, spread a thin layer of dulce de leche on the bottom of half of the cookies. Top each with another cookie to make a sandwich.
10. Melt the chopped chocolate in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth.
11. Dip each alfajor sandwich into the melted chocolate, using a fork to fully coat it. Place the chocolate-covered alfajores on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
12. Refrigerate the alfajores for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.
Time:
Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
5. Temperature:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Serving size:
This recipe makes about 12 chocolate-covered alfajores.
Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 250
Total fat: 14g
Saturated fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 85mg
Total carbohydrates: 29g
Dietary fiber: 1g
Sugars: 16g
Protein: 2g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter, but reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to 1/8 tsp.
- If you don't have dulce de leche, you can use caramel sauce or Nutella instead.
Variations:
- Instead of semisweet chocolate, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate.
- You can add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the chocolate-covered alfajores for a sweet and salty flavor.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the dough is well chilled before rolling it out to prevent it from sticking to the rolling pin.
- If the dough becomes too soft while rolling it out, place it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the alfajores into neat circles after they are assembled.
Storage instructions:
Store the chocolate-covered alfajores in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Reheating instructions:
These cookies are best served at room temperature, but you can microwave them for a few seconds to soften the chocolate if desired.
Presentation ideas:
Arrange the chocolate-covered alfajores on a platter and dust them with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
Garnishes:
You can garnish the chocolate-covered alfajores with chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or sprinkles.
Pairings:
These cookies pair well with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Suggested side dishes:
These cookies are a sweet treat on their own and don't require any side dishes.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the dough is too crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk to the mixture to help it come together.
- If the chocolate is too thick to coat the cookies, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to the melted chocolate and stir until smooth.
Food safety advice:
Make sure to use clean hands and utensils when handling the dough and cookies to prevent contamination.
Food history:
Alfajores are a traditional South American cookie that originated in Spain. They are typically made with a shortbread-like dough and filled with dulce de leche.
Flavor profiles:
These chocolate-covered alfajores have a buttery and slightly sweet cookie base, with a rich and creamy dulce de leche filling, and a decadent layer of semisweet chocolate.
Serving suggestions:
Serve these chocolate-covered alfajores as a dessert or snack.
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Region: Argentinian