Alfajores Hidden Surprise Cookies Recipes

ALFAJORES HIDDEN SURPRISE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets).
• Make sugar cookie dough as directed on pouch. Roll dough into 36 (1-inch) balls; place on ungreased large cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.
• Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on cookie sheets 1 minute. Using 1 1/4-inch round cutter; cut the center out of 12 of the cookies and set aside for another use. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons dulce de leche on each of 12 uncut cookies. Top each with cookie with center cut out. Fill each hole of 11 of the cookies with 1 teaspoon hazelnut spread. Fill 12th cookie with colored sprinkles (that's the surprise cookie). Spread 1/2 teaspoon dulce de leche around top edge of each cookie to act as "glue," and top with remaining 12 cookies. Press together gently to squeeze dulce de leche out slightly.
• In small microwavable bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring until smooth. Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate. Roll edges of other half of each cookie in toasted coconut, pressing slightly to allow it to stick. Place on sheet of waxed paper; refrigerate to set chocolate. If desired, place cookies in decorative bags to give as gifts.

ALFAJORES (DULCE DE LECHE SANDWICH COOKIES)

Steps:

• Mix flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a bowl. Place butter in a separate bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until soft and fluffy. Add white sugar and vanilla and mix well.
• Add flour mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture in 3 stages; mix until just blended. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a log. Refrigerate dough logs until firm, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Slice dough logs into 1/4-inch cookies and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until just starting to turn golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely, about 30 minutes more.
• Use a knife to apply a generous amount of dulce de leche on one cookie. Sandwich another cookie on top and place on a serving tray. Repeat with remaining cookies and dulce de leche. Lightly dust finished cookies with confectioners' sugar.

ALFAJORES

Steps:

• Combine condensed milk and butter for filling in a pot over medium-low heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until it coats the back of a spoon and becomes caramelized, about 2 hours.
• While the filling is simmering, mix flour, butter, powdered sugar, pisco, baking powder, and salt for cookies in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until a dough forms.
• Shape dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch or 3/16 inch. Use a small cookie cutter to cut approximately 80 circles. Transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheets; prick each cookie once with the tines of a fork.
• Bake cookies in the preheated oven until edges are just golden, about 12 minutes, switching racks halfway through; do not let them brown. Remove oven and transfer to a wire rack. Repeat to cook remaining cookies.
• When the filling has finished simmering, let it cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
• Spread filling over one side of 2 cookies, and press together like sandwiches. Roll in powdered sugar to coat. Repeat to fill and coat remaining cookies.

HIDDEN SURPRISE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt; beat until combined. Beat in egg, egg yolks, and vanilla until combined. Beat in flour (you may need to hand mix some of it).
• Transfer 3/4 cup of the dough to a small bowl. Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and melted butter. Beat well. Shape into 1-inch balls.
• Beat almond extract into remaining dough. Mold about 1 tablespoons of almond dough around each cocoa ball. Roll gently to make smooth, round ball. Roll each ball in colored sugar or candy sprinkles. Place balls two inches apart on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375 for 10-11 minutes or until bottoms are browned. Cool cookies on a pan for 1 minute then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely.