Print

Heart-Shaped Alfajores with Dulce de Leche Filling

Heart-Shaped Alfajores with Dulce de Leche Filling
Print Recipe

Heart-Shaped Alfajores with Dulce de Leche Filling are a traditional South American dessert featuring soft, buttery cookies with a creamy caramel dulce de leche center. These charming heart-shaped treats offer a perfect balance of melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich sweetness, ideal for special occasions, gifting, or a delightful homemade snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF version)
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch

Filling and Topping

  • 1 cup dulce de leche
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and sugar until soft and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and cornstarch, combining everything into a soft, pliable dough. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to make rolling easier.
  2. Shape and Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about a quarter-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the shapes. Arrange the hearts on a lined baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely.
  3. Assemble the Alfajores: Once the cookies are cool, spread a generous spoonful of dulce de leche on one cookie and gently sandwich it with another. Press lightly to secure the filling without squeezing it out. Repeat with all cookie halves.
  4. Finish with Powdered Sugar: For that classic alfajor look, dust the tops with powdered sugar just before serving, giving your Heart-Shaped Alfajores with Dulce de Leche Filling a beautiful, inviting finish.

Notes

  • Chill the dough well to prevent spreading and keep heart shapes neat while baking.
  • Use good quality dulce de leche, either store-bought or homemade, for best flavor.
  • Avoid overbaking; cookies should be lightly golden for a soft, tender texture.
  • Spread dulce de leche evenly to avoid spillage when sandwiching cookies.
  • Use cornstarch thoughtfully— it provides the signature melt-in-your-mouth feel but too much can make cookies crumbly.

Nutrition

Keywords: Heart-shaped alfajores, dulce de leche cookies, South American dessert, gluten free alfajores, homemade alfajores, caramel filled cookies

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/heart-shaped-alfajores-with-dulce-de-leche-filling/