Recipe: Alfajor

Ingredients

500 g (1 lb. 2 oz) flour

400 g (14 oz) butter, at room temperature

100 g (3 1/2 oz) powdered sugar

Powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

Zest of 1 lime or orange

2 cans (14 ounces each) of condensed milk to make caramel for the filling

Preparation

Filling:

Put the 2 cans of condensed milk in a pan and cover with water. Boil for two hours (or only 45 minutes if you use a pressure cooker). Take out the cans and rinse with cold water. Let cool completely before opening the can. Use this caramel to fill the alfajor. 

Cookies:

Mix the flour with the butter, powdered sugar and lemon zest. Knead until it forms a soft dough. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts. Roll out one of the parts on parchment paper, wax paper or a floured surface and cut a circle measuring 22-25 cm (11-12 inches). Place the circle (with the paper) on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 °F (180 °C) for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and repeat the procedure with the two remaining dough portions. Once the three layers are ready, remove them from the paper. Place one layer on a round platter and spread it with caramel. Put a second layer on top and again spread with caramel. Cover with the third layer. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Bon appétit!