Colleen’s Maple Alfajores

Enjoy this special cookie, inspired by my time spent living in Argentina. My award-winning recipe takes this beloved South American treat substituting the traditional dulce de leche filling with a North American flavored maple cream. This is a perfect fall treat to enjoy with your favorite hot beverage!

Ingredients:

For the dough-

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 3 cups cake flour

• 5 tbsp maple syrup

For the filling-

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 1 cup condensed milk

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. For the dough, cream the butter with the powdered sugar using a mixer. Add the salt and maple syrup and then add flour. Mix and form a ball, then wrap and chill or 30 minutes.

Meanwhile in a saucepan heat the brown sugar with the condensed milk over medium heat until the mixture softens (just before soft ball 240°F). Remove from heat and let cool. Stir in butter and maple syrup and beat until thickened. Keep cool.

Roll out the dough and cut into 2-inch circles using a cooking cutter (yields 30). Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool, then add a spoonful (~2 tbsp) of the filling between 2 cookies and leave plain, or sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Yields 15 cookies.