Choose thick dulce de leche rather than pourable caramel sauce so the filling stays between the shells.
Tender cornstarch-rich shortbread rounds sandwich a neat layer of dulce de leche and receive a fine coconut rim.
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Dulce de Leche Alfajor Shortbread Rounds Recipe
Follow the tray sizes, portions and baking intervals in the instructions below.
Total time includes hands-on preparation, required chilling or resting, whole-batch cooking, cooling and finishing.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- mixer
- rolling pin
- parchment
- round cutter
- baking sheets
- shallow plate
Ingredients
US measures are approximate. Gram weights help keep portions consistent; spice weights vary with density.
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Prepare the ingredients: Beat butter and sugar smooth; mix in flour, cornstarch and salt until a soft dough forms.
Chill the dough
- Chill the dough: Roll 1/4 inch thick, chill 25 minutes and cut 32 rounds.
Bake and set
- Bake and set: Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 12–15 minutes until matte but still pale.
Cool and finish
- Cool and finish: Cool fully.
Shape the cookies
- Shape the cookies: Spread a thin layer of dulce de leche on 16 rounds and cap with the rest; roll the exposed filling edge in coconut.
Continue the preparation
- Continue the preparation: Let set 1 hour before packing.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Ingredient science
Cornstarch gives the shells a tender, delicate bite; handle only after complete cooling.
Technique & texture
Match the rounds by size and fill them with a narrow border at the edge.
Finishing & serving
Press the coconut gently onto the filling seam without squeezing the sandwich.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | up to 2 days | Airtight in a cool room up to 2 days. the shells soften after filling. |
| Refrigeration | As described | Refrigerate up to 1 week. bring to room temperature before serving. |
| Raw freezing | up to 2 months | Freeze unfilled shells airtight up to 2 months. |
| Baked freezing | up to 1 month | Freeze filled sandwiches up to 1 month in a rigid container. |
| Restoring | As described | Thaw sealed at room temperature and roll any exposed filling in fresh coconut. |
Notes
- Scale ingredients, including US measures, without changing cookie size or oven temperature. Extra trays increase whole-batch time.
Nutrition
Approximate values per portion from the listed ingredient weights divided into 16 equal portions. Includes required fillings and finishes. Brands, unused coatings and actual portion size affect the estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are alfajores traditionally shortbread?
Many styles use tender sandwich biscuits; this version uses a cornstarch shortbread-inspired shell.
Can I use caramel sauce?
No; a runny sauce will leak. Use thick dulce de leche or caramel spread.
Why did the shells break?
They are fragile while warm; cool completely on the tray before filling.
