Alfajores - Only the Best Will Do

It took me a while to appreciate the most important South American cookie, the noble alfajor. The first few I tried were store-bought. The cookie part was bland, the dulce de leche filling tasted kind of burnt, and the whole cookie seemed too soft, almost like it was stale.

But then one day I had a true alfajor, an alfajor that had been made by someone who knew what they were doing. It was a revelation. The cookie was thin and crisp and buttery like shortbread. The dulce de leche was fresh and sweet with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. The caramel flavor of the dulce de leche contrasted perfectly with the not-too-sweet, slightly salty cookie. Heaven! After tasting that one amazing cookie, I began to enjoy the store-bought alfajores after all. I don't expect miracles from them. They are a just reminder, a hint of the perfection I know is out there.

A recipe for an excellent alfajor and some decadent chocolate ones too...See what you think!