Alfajores de Maicena--Dulce de Leche Cornstarch Shortbread Cookies

Today I want to take you to Mendoza's Peotonal--the cafe-lined pedestrian mall near the Plaza Independencia; to sample the Alfajores at Havanna.  Havanna is Argentina's oldest and best-known producer of alfajores, the shortbread-like sandwich cookie filled with gooey, sweet dulce de leche.  At the Havanna cafe, visitors spend long afternoon hours sipping cortitos con leche with a seltzer on the side, smoking, laughing, talking politics--and eating the company's famed cookies.  The cafe tables are lined up in rows on the wide sidewalk, shaded by trees and blooming red umbrellas that look like poppies.  Like a trip to the glamorous era of Fellini films, guests sit in director chairs with 'HAVANNA' written across the canvas back.

Alfajores de Maicenaare some of the tastiest alfajores; maicena--corn starch--is used along with flour to give the cookies a texture that is lighter than a typical shortbread cookie.  That lightness still captures the cookie's buttery flavor,  and together with dulce de leche, they will melt in your mouth.  Havanna alfajores, which come in a six pack, are a divine gift to open.  Each cookie is individually wrapped in silver (covered in white frosting) or gold (dipped in dark chocolate) foil, which adds a distinct 'Willy Wonka' feel to the experience of eating a Havanna alfajor--each time you unwrap one, you feel like you might win a prize.  And you do--which you know as soon as you take a bite.

Now, I can't give you a box of Havanna alfajores, but I can promise that this homemade version are the next best thing.  Serve them with piping hot coffee, under a patio umbrella, and enjoy a moment that will transport you, just as Proust and his Madeline.

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You may also enjoy a delicious tale from Desert Candy, the Alfajores Round Up at Sweets Foods, and the Peruvian version at Canela and Comino, and Kitchen Girl.

Alfajores de Maicena

Cornstarch Shortbread Cookies filled with Dulce de Leche

These cookies are great with coffee or tea, dipped in chocolate or covered in powdered sugar, but they are also nice just on their own.  They will last for several days in a container with a tight-fitting lid.  The dough may also be frozen for future use.

2 sticks of butter at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg plus one yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking powder

1-2 cups dulce de leche (link to make your own, store-bought is also fine)

powdered sugar (optional)

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and the sugar.  Add in the egg plus yolk and vanilla and beat over medium speed until incorporated.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch and baking powder together.  Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and continue mixing until it forms a consistent dough. 

Remove the dough from the mixer and divide the dough into two balls.  Wrap the balls in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least  half an hour or overnight. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Unwrap the dough and roll it out (it will be cold and stiff at first) onto a floured surface.  Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness, then cut with a small round cutter (or a juice glass).  Repeat the rolling and cutting until you have used all the dough.  Place the cookies on a parchment-paper lined cookie sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, just until the edges start to brown.

Let the cookies cool completely, and then place a generous dollop of dulce de leche on one cookie, topping with another cookie to make a sandwich.  Press gently together.  Cover in sifted powdered sugar, if desired.

Comments

[Heidi]

Hi Rebecca. I'm originally from Buenos aires and made alfajores for many years. I was glad to read from your recipe that the dough can be frozen for another time. this will be a great make ahead dough for a large group. thanks and keep bringing us these great Argentina recipes!!! also, can you tell me if they sell Alfajores Havana anywhere in TX?

[ThatsSoYummy]

Hi Rebecca,

When I was younger I danced and lived in France and with my studio we traveled to Argentina for a performance. I remember when we first reached Argentina we were given these delicious cookies as a little hospitality gift from the dance studio we were visiting. These were so delicious I couldn't stop eating them.

Reading your post transported me back to when I was there, thank you for that!

[florenciapiechotiuk]

exquisitos! muy buenos, aqui por tradiciòn no faltan en las fiestas de cumpleaños y Bodas, tambien. ya que se pueden almacenar muchos dias, y su calidad y presencia no cambian, reitero muy buenos, muy ricos, Florencia desde Bowen Mendoza,R. Argentina.

[donaji]

I always bake alfajores with a 'copita' of liquor in the dough and I love them (my recipe it's almost the same as yours), my family always ask for them as it's almost impossible to find real alfajores argentinos in mexico.

[Don]

One extra recommendation. When the alfajor is done, roll it on the side over shredded coconut, makes a nice difference.

...and that is how my grandma used to do it :)

[Aledys Ver]

Hi, Rebecca!
With this post you've transported me to Mendoza and the "peatonal" - such lovely memories! I was there for the last time back in 2004.
alfajores de maicena are great favourites of mine. I make them all the time here and everyone seems to like them too!
I have planned a future entry about alfajores for my blog, too ;) it is already scheduled and I just need to make the alfajores to take the photos.... nice excuse, eh?!
Saludos desde Holanda!

[Eliane]

I just love alfajores, and Havanna's are great ! But with your recipe of dulce de leche, it will be memorable, the smell of fresh baked "cookies" and the satisfaction to see the loved ones enjoying something you made with love is priceless. Thanks for sharing.

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Delicious. My husband has been making dulce de leche lately; maybe he'd like these cookies?

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=658116286]

These look delicious. If there was a prize for most attractive food blog photos, I'd award it to you.

[Gera @ SweetsFoods]

I adore Havanna alfajores they're fabulous but your homemade-maicena ones are totally scrumptious too :)

Thanks for the visit and the link!

I wonder how many are still left after made them, because in my case I can eat for dozens...

Cheers,

Gera