{"id":"alfajor_dca44e60bc","slug":"classic-alfajores-de-maicena","title":"Classic Alfajores de Maicena","description":"Exquisite, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies made with cornstarch, filled with creamy dulce de leche and finished with a roll of shredded coconut. A beloved Latin American staple.","serves":15,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":12,"totalMinutes":62,"activeMinutes":32},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"150g unsalted butter, softened","name":"Butter","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"softened","notes":"unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"100g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3 egg yolks","name":"Egg Yolks","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"yolks","notes":"large","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tsp vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp lemon zest","name":"Lemon Zest","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"zest","notes":"finely grated","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"200g cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 2/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"150g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"all-purpose","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tsp baking powder","name":"Baking Powder","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"300g dulce de leche","name":"Dulce de leche","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"paste","notes":"thick repostero style","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"50g shredded coconut","name":"Coconut","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"shredded","notes":"unsweetened","group":"Decoration","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one by one, then stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Sift together the cornstarch, flour, and baking powder. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms. Do not overwork it.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Sift together the cornstarch, flour, and baking powder","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) thickness. Cut out circles using a round cookie cutter.","group":"Baking","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place the rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should be set but still pale; do not let the edges brown.","group":"Baking","title":"Place the rounds","timerMinutes":12,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Allow the cookies to cool completely. Once cold, spread a generous layer of dulce de leche on the bottom of one cookie and sandwich with another.","group":"Assembly","title":"Allow the cookies","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Roll the edges of the sandwich in shredded coconut so that it sticks to the dulce de leche filling.","group":"Assembly","title":"Roll the edges of the sandwich","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"Use 'Dulce de Leche Repostero' (baking style) if possible, as it is thicker and won't leak out of the cookies. For the best texture, do not overbake; the cookies should remain pale, not golden.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Argentine","Peruvian","Uruguayan"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["mixing bowl","sifter","rolling pin","round cookie cutter","baking sheet","parchment paper"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","eggs","wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":15,"unit":"cookies","note":"Yields approximately 15 sandwich cookies depending on cutter size"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be made 2 days in advance and kept in the fridge. Assembled cookies are best after sitting for a few hours as the moisture from the filling softens the cookie."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for several days.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Falfajor_dca44e60bc%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4e5db0c3-c1a0-485d-bad5-0444564943ba","imageAlt":"Classic Alfajores de Maicena — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cookies","dulce de leche","latin american","sweet","traditional","maicena"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Alfajores de Maicena","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T00:01:02.478Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T00:01:02.478Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arroz_con_leche_4f1ca75c61","slug":"arroz-con-leche-latin-american-rice-pudding","title":"Arroz con Leche (Latin American Rice Pudding)","description":"A rich, creamy, and aromatic rice pudding infused with cinnamon and vanilla, a classic staple in Latin American households.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican","Colombian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farroz_con_leche_4f1ca75c61%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c5d98313-4315-41c6-a68e-c9bd9f1ba3f7","imageAlt":"Arroz con Leche (Latin American Rice Pudding) — recipe cover","tags":["rice pudding","creamy","cinnamon","latin dessert","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6},{"id":"brigadeiro_9f2460f2c5","slug":"brigadeiro","title":"Brigadeiro","description":"A classic Brazilian chocolate fudge treat made with only a few ingredients. These chewy, chocolatey truffles are a staple at every Brazilian birthday party and are incredibly easy to make at home.","serves":20,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbrigadeiro_9f2460f2c5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0a386b63-4232-4275-9807-e55aa50405aa","imageAlt":"Brigadeiro — recipe cover","tags":["chocolate","brazilian","fudge","truffles","no bake","sweet","party food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6}]}