MARPLATES ALPHAJORS Ingredients: 400 g of wheat flour 1 tablespoon of baking powder

 

Marplates Alfajores: The Ultimate Guide

Alfajores are delicate, buttery cookies traditionally filled with dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar or coated in chocolate. Originating from Spanish and Latin American culinary traditions, these cookies are celebrated for their tender crumb, creamy filling, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Marplates Alfajores refers to a modern artisanal interpretation with attention to texture, flavor balance, and presentation. This guide will provide a detailed recipe and step-by-step tips to create restaurant-quality alfajores at home.

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🌿 A Brief History of Alfajores

Alfajores trace their roots to Spain, brought to Latin America during colonial times. The cookie evolved differently in various countries:

• Argentina: Filled with dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar.

• Peru: Often covered in chocolate.

• Uruguay: Similar to Argentina, sometimes with coconut coating.

The essence of alfajores is tender shortbread-like cookies sandwiched with a rich filling, making them perfect for celebrations, gifts, or an indulgent treat.

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🧾 Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough (Makes ~24 cookies):

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup cornstarch (for tenderness)

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large egg yolks

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons brandy or cognac (optional, for depth of flavor)

• Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for bright aroma)

For the Filling:

• 1 ½ cups dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)

For Coating and Garnish:

• Powdered sugar for dusting

• Optional: melted chocolate, shredded coconut

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🧪 The Science Behind Perfect Alfajores

1. Cornstarch: Softens the dough and creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

2. Egg Yolks & Butter: Provide richness, tenderness, and structure.

3. Chilling Dough: Prevents spreading and ensures uniform shape.

4. Filling: Dulce de leche acts as a binding and flavor enhancer; its caramelized milk sugars complement the buttery cookies.

5. Optional Alcohol: Brandy or cognac tenderizes the dough slightly and enhances aroma without affecting texture.

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🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).

3. Add egg yolks and whole egg one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

4. Mix in vanilla extract, brandy (optional), and lemon zest.

5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.

Tip: The dough will be soft but manageable. If sticky, chill for 15–20 minutes.

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Step 2: Chill and Shape

1. Form the dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap.

2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours). Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to roll.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

4. Lightly flour a work surface and roll dough to ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness.

5. Use a round cookie cutter (about 2 inches) to cut cookies. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart.

Tip: For uniform cookies, chill the cut cookies for 10 minutes before baking.

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Step 3: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until cookies are just set and slightly golden at the edges.

2. Avoid overbaking; alfajores should remain pale for soft, tender texture.

3. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Science Note: The cornstarch keeps cookies soft, so avoid extended baking that can make them crunchy.

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Step 4: Assemble the Alfajores

1. Once cookies are completely cool, spread 1–2 teaspoons of dulce de leche on the flat side of one cookie.

2. Top with another cookie, gently pressing to spread filling to edges.

3. Optional: Roll edges in shredded coconut for a traditional Latin American touch.

4. Dust the assembled cookies generously with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.

Tip: For clean assembly, use a piping bag for the dulce de leche.

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🌟 Variations and Flavor Twists

1. Chocolate Alfajores: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the dough and fill with chocolate ganache instead of dulce de leche.

2. Citrus Alfajores: Incorporate orange zest into the dough and pairing with orange-infused caramel filling.

3. Nutty Twist: Mix finely ground almonds or hazelnuts into dough for added flavor and texture.

4. Coffee Infused: Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee to dough or filling for a subtle mocha flavor.

5. Vegan/Dairy-Free: Use coconut oil instead of butter, flax egg instead of egg, and coconut caramel in place of dulce de leche.

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🧠 Tips for Perfect Alfajores

• Measure Accurately: Weigh ingredients for best results; small changes affect texture.

• Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing develops gluten, which makes cookies tough.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temp for smooth dough.

• Even Rolling: Roll dough evenly to avoid cookies baking at different rates.

• Storage: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; refrigerate filled cookies for up to 1 week.

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🥗 Nutritional Overview (per cookie, approx.)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	180–220 kcal
Protein	2 g
Fat	9–11 g
Carbs	25 g
Sugars	14–16 g
Fiber	0–1 g

Health Note: Alfajores are a treat, best enjoyed in moderation; the combination of butter, cornstarch, and dulce de leche makes them rich and indulgent.

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🍴 Serving Suggestions

• Tea or Coffee: Perfect pairing with black tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.

• Gift Presentation: Stack in decorative boxes with parchment paper for a beautiful homemade gift.

• Party Platters: Serve with fresh fruit or chocolate-dipped varieties for a dessert table.

• Layered Desserts: Crumble alfajores over ice cream or parfaits for texture and flavor.

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🔬 Culinary Science Insights

• Tenderness: Cornstarch reduces gluten formation, resulting in a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture.

• Flavor Development: Chilling dough allows flavors to meld and improves handling.

• Filling Chemistry: Dulce de leche’s thick, caramelized sugars hold cookie sandwiches together without making them soggy.

• Optional Alcohol: Brandy enhances aroma and acts as a mild tenderizer without altering cookie structure.

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🕰️ Storage & Shelf Life

• Unfilled Cookies: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5–7 days.

• Filled Cookies: Refrigerate up to 1 week; bring to room temp before serving for soft texture.

• Freezing: Unfilled cookies freeze well up to 2 months; thaw fully before filling.

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🌍 Regional & Modern Twists

• Argentina: Classic dulce de leche, dusted with powdered sugar.

• Peru: Chocolate-coated alfajores with filled edges rolled in coconut.

• Uruguay: Coconut edges with variations in dulce de leche thickness.

• Modern Gourmet: Infuse cookies with exotic flavors like matcha, cardamom, or espresso for upscale presentations.

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🍽️ Presentation Tips

• Stack 2–3 cookies on a dessert plate for visual appeal.

• Dust with powdered sugar using a fine sieve.

• Drizzle chocolate elegantly or create patterns with cocoa powder.

• Garnish with edible flowers for parties or gifts.

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🏆 Expert Tips

• Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie cutter of consistent size for even baking.

• Piping Dulce de Leche: Ensures even filling and prevents mess.

• Chilling Dough & Cookies: Critical for preventing spreading and keeping edges neat.

• Edge Coating: Coconut or chocolate adds texture contrast and enhances flavor.

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🍋 Conclusion

Marplates Alfajores are the perfect balance of tender, buttery cookies and rich, sweet filling. With attention to ingredients, temperature, and technique, you can create professional-quality alfajores at home. From traditional powdered sugar dusting to chocolate coating or nutty variations, these cookies are versatile, indulgent, and ideal for gifting or personal enjoyment.

By following this guide, you’ll not only master the recipe but also understand the science behind softness, flavor balance, and presentation, ensuring your alfajores are always delicate, flavorful, and irresistibly melt-in-your-mouth.

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If you want, I can expand this further to 2,500 words with step-by-step photos, tips for making dulce de leche from scratch, and advanced flavor variations for an even more complete Marplates Alfajores guide.

Do you want me to do that?