Its name translates from spanish as sweet from milk, referring to the fact that it is made by heating sweetened milk slowly until it caramelizes. This version, enrobed in bittersweet chocolate and edged with toasted coconut, will seduce the most sophisticated palate. Using a 1 34inch round cookie cutter, cut out rounds from dough and transfer to prepared baking sheet. These sweet confections can be found throughout latin america. It was only when i looked into the history of the humble alfajor that i realized just how cosmopolitan my favorite cookie was. If there is one cookbook i would suggest buying right now, it would be martha stewarts cookies. You want the cookies to stay pale with a crumbly texture. Alfajores alfahores are a south american type of shortbread cookies. Alfajores are popular in colombia as well as other parts of south america. You want the biscuits to stay pale with a crumbly texture. Unfilled cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days. It turns out that the shortbread version is so popular online, in part, because the recipe used.
I dont love to bake but alfajores are my favorite cookies and i just had to make them for my recipe blog. The coconut really adds a great flavor and cuts some of the sweetness, so i strongly suggest adding it. A snack with luscious sweetness and potentially a meal yes you can eat an entire batch and nothing more. They are a popular cookie found in many latin american countries and when packaged you can often find them dipped in chocolate. The following recipe will make the traditional argentine version. On a wellfloured work surface, roll out 1 disk of dough to a scant 14inch thickness. Classic argentinian alfajores cookies cooking with books. Various fillings such as chocolate, fruits and nuts can be used depending on the country, province or region. The recipe may seem long, but each section is straightforward and can be done ahead of time in stages.
It is one of the most popular confections in south america, ofte. The history of alfajores stretches back to the 16th century in southern. Argentine desserts and treats book club food, just eat it. An alfajor or alaju is a traditional confection found in argentina, chile, uruguay, paraguay. Not only is this combination heavenly, but the cookie itself is. History of alfajores split bean coffee the essence of coffee. Alfajores recipe peruvian cookies with manjar blanco a. These delicious cookies can trace their origin back to the moorish occupation of andalusia, spain and the great culinary traditions of the mediterranean basin. Granted, i know its not brand new its been out for several months already and i have already seen so many people write about it, so i know most people have it, but it is really a great book. Two opposing forces were on the brink of ending a war. These cookies, called alfajores, come dipped in chocolate, glazed in sugar, or rolled in coconut. Jun 17, 2008 this recipe for alfajores is adapted from the book, argentina cooks. Not only is this combination heavenly, but the cookie itself is extremely soft and tender. Alfajores, argentinas infamous cookie the best latin.
It turns out that the shortbread version is so popular online, in part, because the recipe used to be printed on the back of a cornstarch box. Just to be correct, though, traditional alfajores are a bit different. Hopefully some day old recipe book will surface pushing the date even further back in time. Lawrence wrights new pandemic novel wasnt supposed to be prophetic.
Sometimes alfajores use three cookies instead of two hence the name triple alfajores. Once all the cookies are sandwiched together roll in desiccated coconut. Through family research, we have been able to trace our family recipe to the late 1800s to what is now peru, ecuador and bolivia. The alfajor was brought to latin america from spain, where it is still. The publication of historical dictionaries of the spanish language allows one to. I ate alfajores daily when i was in argentina, grabbing a packet of the foilwrapped confection whenever i saw. Add the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and, with the paddle attachment on, cream the mixture until light in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes. In the 12th century, raimundo martin describes in his book vocabulista. Argentina is the worlds largest consumer of alfajores. Alfajores are often considered argentinian, but other countries across south america lay claim to them as well. Indeed, the alfajor even turns up in mateo alemans picaresque novel guzman. The origins of alfajores are actually moorish, and so they reached latin american via spain many centuries ago. Havanna alfajores are the pride and joy of argentines all around the world.
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