Alfajor Chileno

Name: Alfajor Chileno
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Chilean
Ingredients: 200g all-purpose flour; 150g cornstarch; 100g butter, softened; 80g powdered sugar; 3 egg yolks; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp baking powder; 300g manjar (dulce de leche); Shredded coconut or powdered sugar for rolling

Alfajor (ahl-fah-HOR chee-LEH-noh)

Chilean Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookie

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 206 kcal

Delicate, crumbly shortbread cookies sandwiched with manjar (dulce de leche) and rolled in shredded coconut or powdered sugar — Chile's classic tea-time sweet.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 3.0g

Carbs 26.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

mixing bowl rolling pin cookie cutters baking sheet

Presentation Guide

Vessel: tiered dessert plate

Garnishes: powdered sugar, coconut

Accompaniments: tea, coffee

Ingredients

200g all-purpose flour
150g cornstarch
100g butter, softened
80g powdered sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
300g manjar (dulce de leche)
Shredded coconut or powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

1
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks and vanilla.
2
Sift flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Fold into butter mixture to form soft dough.
3
Chill 30 min. Roll to 5mm thick, cut rounds.
4
Bake at 170C for 10-12 min until set but pale.
5
Cool completely. Sandwich pairs with manjar.
6
Roll edges in coconut or dust with powdered sugar.

💡

Did You Know?

Chileans call dulce de leche "manjar" — arguing about whether manjar or Argentine dulce de leche is superior is a common cross-Andes debate.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

mixing bowl
rolling pin
cookie cutters
baking sheet

Garnishing

powdered sugar, coconut

Accompaniments

tea, coffee

The Story Behind Alfajor Chileno

The alfajor arrived in Chile via Spain, which inherited it from Moorish confectioners. The Chilean version uses a cornstarch-enriched dough that creates an exceptionally tender, melt-in-the-mouth cookie. Filled with manjar and often rolled in coconut, it is the quintessential once (tea-time) accompaniment.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed once (tea time), dessert 📜 Origins: Colonial era, Moorish origin

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