Okay… I’m going to be honest 😂
I was never really a huge fan of alfajores.

BUT my younger kids’ family is Peruvian, and recreating different Peruvian dishes and desserts at home has honestly become really fun for me over time. There’s something special about learning recipes connected to family, memories, and culture — even the desserts I never expected to love making.

Now Peruvian chicken though?? THAT is a different story 😭🔥
That was actually one of the first Peruvian meals I learned how to recreate at home, and don’t even get me started on the green sauce because omg… I could eat that on everything.

Making these homemade alfajores from scratch — including the dulce de leche — definitely reminded me how much love goes into these kinds of desserts. Soft buttery cookies, caramel filling, powdered sugar everywhere… and a kitchen full of taste testing 😂

Safe to say… looks like we’re having Peruvian chicken for dinner tomorrow now 🤍

Homemade Alfajores Recipe

Cookie Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 1 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 2 egg yolks

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling

• Dulce de leche

• Powdered sugar for topping

Directions

Step 1

Cream butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.

Step 2

Add egg yolks and vanilla.

Step 3

In another bowl mix:

• flour

• cornstarch

• baking powder

• salt

Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Step 4

Wrap dough and chill for 20–30 minutes.

Step 5

Roll dough about 1/4 inch thick and cut circles.

Step 6

Bake at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes.

⚠️ Important:
Do NOT overbake. Alfajores should stay pale and soft.

Step 7

Cool completely before filling.

Step 8

Pipe or spread dulce de leche onto one cookie and sandwich with another.

Step 9

Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy 🤍

Homemade Dulce de Leche

Ingredients

• 1 unopened can sweetened condensed milk

• Water

Directions

1. Place unopened can into a pot.

2. Cover completely with water.

3. Simmer gently for 2½–3 hours.

4. Keep checking water level so the can stays covered.

5. Cool COMPLETELY before opening.

🦋 Homemade by Mariposas LLC
📍 Fredericksburg, VA
📧 [email protected]