Name: Dulce de Leche filled Cookies (Alfajores)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 147 min
Ingredients: 3/4 Cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 2/3 Cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 lemon zest; 1 Cup all-purpose flour; 2 Cups corn starch; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 14 ounces Dulce de Leche (store bought or homemade*); 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar ( for dusting)

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These Dulce de Leche Filled Sandwich Cookies (Alfajores) are tender, buttery cookies filled with rich dulce de leche. They’re soft, delicate, and perfect for holiday cookie boxes or a casual cookie platter.

If you’ve never made alfajores before, this recipe is approachable and stress-free. The cookie dough comes together quickly, and filling them with dulce de leche is fun and satisfying.

Perfect for sharing with family or gifting to friends, these dulce de leche cookies combine the mellow sweetness of dulce de leche with soft, shortbread-like cookies. With just a few pantry staples, you can make these sandwich cookies countless times.

What are Dulce de Leche-filled Cookies or Alfajores de maicena?

Alfajores are a type of Shortbread cookies found in South America, in countries like Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, among others, and are seen in many forms and flavors.

One of them is the traditional shortbread alfajores, made out of melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and filled with creamy and sweet Dulce de Leche. Some also add desiccated coconut around the cookies, sticking it with the dulce de leche filling.

This alfajor de maicena recipe is adapted from a recipe given to me by a very good Argentinian friend; we used to live in the same city, and she used to bring them to every dinner, barbecue, and party we had. They were always a hit with children and adults alike! I adapted the recipe a bit, but in essence, it’s the same.

Different Types of Dulce de Leche in this Recipe:

If you’re using store-bought Dulce de Leche and you find it’s too runny, you can thicken it by mixing 1 Tablespoon cornstarch and 3 Tablespoons milk, until no lumps are visible. Then, over a medium-sized bowl, heat the Dulce de leche until softened, add the milk mixture, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.

You can also make your own Dulce de Leche with condensed milk (here’s a recipe for homemade Dulce de Leche) and bake it until it’s thick enough to spread (the more you bake it, the thicker it becomes). It’s actually pretty simple to make, with just one ingredient, although it takes some time to bake. Make it ahead of time and store it for up to three weeks refrigerated.

Ingredients

This recipe calls for simple ingredients, found in any grocery store. Each one contributes to creating the soft, buttery cookies and rich dulce de leche filling.

Unsalted butter: adds richness and tenderness to the cookie dough
Brown sugar: lightly sweetens while helping the cookies stay soft
Eggs: provide structure and a creamy texture
Vanilla extract: rounds out flavors for a warm, inviting taste
Lemon zest: adds a subtle citrus flavor that balances the sweet dulce de leche
Purpose flour: forms the base of the cookie dough for a delicate texture
Corn starch: helps create soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies
Baking powder: supports lightness in the cookie dough
Powdered sugar: dusted on top for a classic alfajores finish
Dulce de leche: the rich, sweet filling that makes these cookies irresistible

Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Add-Ons & Substitutions

You can adjust this recipe to match your taste or available ingredients:

Add a hint of cinnamon to the dough for a warm, cozy flavor

Swap store-bought dulce de leche with your own homemade dulce de leche for a more personal touch (see notes above)

How to Make Dulce de Leche Filled Cookies

Making the Cookies

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream unsalted butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, mixing just until combined.

In a large bowl, whisk together purpose flour, corn starch, and baking powder. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing until a soft cookie dough forms.

Wrap the cookie dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours to make it easier to handle.

Prepare your 3 baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper and set aside.

Baking & Assembly

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to an even thickness. Your dough will have a crumbly texture, so you may need to press it together and roll it to 6 mm thickness. If the dough is too dry, add a bit of cold water and milk, just until it comes all together.

Cut your cookies with a 2-inch round cookie cutter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Bake for 7 minutes, or until the bottom of your cookie is lightly golden, and let cool for a couple of minutes in the cookie sheet, then transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely before filling them

Pipe a bit of dulce de leche filling over your first cookie, then place a second cookie on top, pressing slightly until the dulce de leche just reaches the edges. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Store finished alfajores in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or freeze for longer storage.

Expert Tips

Use room temperature butter for the creamiest cookie dough and best results
Chill the cookie dough before rolling to prevent spreading during baking
Handle dough gently to maintain a soft, tender texture
For a smooth dulce de leche filling, use a spoon or small cookie scoop to portion evenly
Use a round cookie cutter for uniform cookies or hand-shape them for a rustic look
If making a large batch, freeze cookie dough balls and bake as needed for fresh cookies each time

Frequently Asked Questions

Are alfajores from Argentina?

Yes! Alfajores are traditional cookies in Latin America, especially popular in Argentina, often filled with dulce de leche.

Are alfajores the same as macarons?

No. Alfajores are soft, buttery cookies filled with dulce de leche, while macarons are meringue-based with a delicate, crisp exterior.

How to make alfajores?

The detailed instructions are above, but the short version is to cream butter and sugar, mix in egg yolks, fold in dry ingredients, chill the dough, roll and cut cookies, bake, and sandwich with dulce de leche.

What are alfajores made of?

Alfajores are made from a simple cookie dough of butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and corn starch, filled with rich dulce de leche and sometimes dusted with powdered sugar.