National Dish Uruguay: Alfajor de Maicena (Recipe)
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Few treats capture the sweetness of Uruguay quite like the Alfajor de Maicena. These melt-in-the-mouth cornflour biscuits sandwich a generous layer of rich dulce de leche, with the edges rolled in coconut or fine cocoa for the perfect finishing touch. Delicate, buttery and irresistibly tender, they are the classic companion to an afternoon coffee or a shared mate. Bake a batch at home and bring a little slice of South American café culture to your own kitchen.
About Alfajor de Maicena
The Alfajor de Maicena is not only a delicious treat but also one of Uruguay’s best-loved sweets. These tender little biscuits are made from two delicate discs joined with a layer of dulce de leche and then finished around the edges with fine coconut or cocoa. The contrast between the smooth, caramel-like filling and the crumbly, almost shortbread-soft biscuit makes every bite a small delight. Often served alongside coffee or simply enjoyed as a sweet snack, the alfajor brings a genuine piece of South American culture to your plate, and sits proudly within the wider tradition of Uruguayan cuisine.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200 g cornflour (maicena)
- 100 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 200 g dulce de leche
- Desiccated coconut or cocoa, for coating
Shopping for the ingredients
Before you start making the Alfajor de Maicena, it is worth gathering all the necessary ingredients in advance. Most of them are easy to find in a regular supermarket, especially the cornflour, which is the essential base of these biscuits. Take care to choose a good-quality dulce de leche, as it forms the heart of the flavour. For the butter, an unsalted variety works best and gives you the cleanest, most reliable result.
Preparing the dish
Before you begin, make sure your work surface is clean and all your utensils are close to hand. The recipe takes a little time, so weigh out and prepare your ingredients calmly and without rushing. It is also a good idea to preheat the oven to 180°C, so it is ready the moment the biscuits are shaped. Setting up your workstation in advance makes the whole process smoother and far more enjoyable.
Step-by-step instructions
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
- Add the egg and mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Stir in the cornflour, baking powder and a pinch of salt, then bring everything together into a soft dough.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and cut out small round discs.
- Place the discs on a baking tray and bake for about 15 minutes.
- Once baked, leave the biscuits to cool completely.
- Spread a layer of dulce de leche over one biscuit and gently press a second biscuit on top.
- Roll the exposed sides in coconut or cocoa and serve.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
If you need to avoid gluten or lactose, the Alfajor de Maicena is easy to adapt. While pure cornflour is naturally gluten-free, swap any wheat-based flour you use for dusting with a dedicated gluten-free blend designed for baking. To make the recipe lactose-free, simply replace the butter with a plant-based margarine. Adjustments like these let everyone enjoy these delicate biscuits without compromising on their dietary needs.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For a vegan version, the egg and dairy in this recipe can both be replaced with plant-based alternatives. Use apple purée or a flaxseed egg in place of the egg, and swap the butter for a good vegan margarine. These simple changes keep the Alfajor de Maicena accessible to every diet while still preserving the traditional, buttery flavour everyone loves.
More tips and tricks
To make preparing the Alfajor de Maicena even easier, you can make the dough ahead and let it rest in the fridge for a few hours. Chilling the dough improves its texture and makes it far simpler to roll and cut. Keep an eye on the biscuits as they bake to ensure they stay pale and never colour too deeply — they should remain soft and tender. A touch of cinnamon or some finely chopped nuts in the coating can add an extra layer of flavour. For another cornflour classic, take a look at Galletas de Maicena.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The Alfajor de Maicena lends itself beautifully to personal touches. You could experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate cream or a fruity jam, in place of the classic dulce de leche. To bring in a nutty note, fold ground nuts into the dough or sprinkle them over the coating. In this way you can add your own signature and shape the biscuits exactly to your taste — much as you might with a batch of Galletas de Dulce de Leche.
Ingredient substitutions
There are plenty of substitutions you can make in the recipe for the Alfajor de Maicena. Agave syrup or honey can replace the sugar for a more natural sweetness, while a spoonful of cocoa powder stirred into the dough creates a richer, more chocolatey biscuit reminiscent of an Alfajor de Chocolate. These small swaps help you personalise the recipe and make it either healthier or simply more to your liking.
Drink pairing ideas
To round off the pleasure of the Alfajor de Maicena, a few drinks pair especially well. A fragrant café con leche is a wonderful match and harmonises perfectly with the sweetness of the biscuits. A fresh mate, Uruguay’s traditional infusion, is just as fitting and lends an authentic touch. Both drinks underline the flavour and offer a genuinely South American moment of indulgence.
Serving and presentation ideas
The way you present the Alfajor de Maicena makes a real difference at the table. Arrange the biscuits on a decorative plate and garnish with fresh fruit and a few mint leaves. A light dusting of icing sugar over the top gives an elegant finish. Small paper bags tied with a piece of twine or jute add rustic charm, making these biscuits ideal for celebrations and special occasions.
A bit of history
The Alfajor de Maicena has its roots in the colonial era of South America and stands as a symbol of Uruguayan baking. The alfajor was originally brought across the Atlantic by European immigrants and has evolved steadily over the years. Its popularity remains undimmed, and it is cherished as a dessert not only in Uruguay but across many other Latin American countries too. Today these well-filled biscuits are a much-loved snack, found everywhere from street festivals to busy markets.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Alfajor de Maicena
The Alfajor de Maicena is a delicious and versatile dessert that wins over sweet tooths everywhere. With its combination of tender biscuit, smooth dulce de leche filling and a coating of coconut or cocoa, it brings a piece of Uruguayan culture to tables around the world. Whether enjoyed during a coffee break, as a snack between meals or to mark a special occasion, this alfajor never fails to delight. Let the many variations inspire you and treat yourself to this traditional recipe gem.
