In some Latin American countries, these cookies, called alfajores, are made with Pisco — brandy distilled from white Muscat grapes grown in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia — but regular brandy works fine.
Cookies can be made, but not filled, 3 days ahead and cooled completely, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe information
Total Time
50 min
Yield
Makes 16 sandwich cookies
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a large baking sheet.
Step 2
Whisk together cornstarch, 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
Step 3
Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then beat in egg yolks, Pisco, and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until combined, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons flour if dough is sticky. (Dough should be soft.)
Step 4
Form dough into a disk and roll out into an 11-inch round (1/8 inch thick) on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin. Cut out 32 rounds with cutter (reroll scraps if necessary) and transfer to sheet, arranging rounds 1/2 inch apart.
Step 5
Bake until firm and pale golden around edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool 10 minutes.
Step 6
Sandwich cookies with about 1/2 teaspoon dulce de leche. Dust with confectioners sugar.
