Pumpkin Spice Alfajores Cookies Fall Recipe
- Cook Time: 1 hour 42 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups cornstarch
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree (canned)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dulce de leche (thick, pastry-style)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Ensuring the cornstarch is well-distributed is key to the cookie’s signature texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add the egg yolks, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat well until fully combined and the color is uniform.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix; stop as soon as the flour disappears.
- Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should be set but still pale; do not let the edges brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Spread a generous teaspoon of dulce de leche on the flat side of one cookie. Top with a second cookie to create a sandwich. Gently press down so the filling reaches the edges.
- Dust the finished sandwiches with a light coating of powdered sugar before serving.