Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies)

Ingredients

• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 0.25 cups sifted cornstarch
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter , softened
• 0.25 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 jar dulce de leche , 11.5 ounce
• 0.25 cups confectioners' sugar , or as needed for dusting

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix flour, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a bowl.

2. 2

   Beat butter with an electric mixer in a separate bowl until soft and fluffy. Mix in white sugar and vanilla until well combined.

3. 3

   Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in 3 batches, beating until just blended after each addition. Divide dough in half, roll each half into a log, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

5. 5

   Slice dough logs into forty-eight 1/4-inch-thick cookies and place onto ungreased baking sheets.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven until just starting to turn golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.

7. 7

   Remove from the oven and let cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely, 25 to 30 minutes.

8. 8

   Use a knife to generously spread dulce de leche onto 1/2 of the cooled cookies. Sandwich remaining cookies on top and place onto a serving tray.

9. 9

   Lightly dust finished cookies with remaining confectioners' sugar.