Recipe: Alfajores De Dulce De Leche

From: Nancy,.SanFran

Alfajores De Dulce De Leche
Recipe By : Linda Cicero
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10/2/00
Makes : 18 cookies

Description: "I'VE JUST LEARNED how to make a cookie to die for --alfajores. Alfajores are a crumbly cookie in which the sandwich filling is dulce de leche."

1 can sweetened condensed milk -- (14-ounce)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup powdered sugar -- plus more to
sprinkle on cookies
1/2 cup margarine or butter -- (1 stick) softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

To make dulce de leche filling: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shake can of condensed milk well; pour milk into large pie plate. Bake for 1 hour or until the milk is as caramelized as you prefer. Set aside to let cool.

To prepare cookies: In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and 1/4 cup sugar. Add margarine and shortening; blend with a fork. Add egg yolks, milk and lemon zest. Mix until well blended.

Divide dough into 4 portions. Put one portion between 2 sheets of waxed paper; roll it out until dough is 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick, depending on taste. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Cut dough with a 2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter. Place each circle on lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining dough.

When the cookies have cooled, spread dulce de leche on one cookie and top it with another cookie, making a sandwich. Sprinkle tops with powdered sugar.