Alfajores. Argentina

January 2020


This sweet treat says it all about the nation’s love for dulce de leche.  Traditionally two crumbly, softer than shortbread biscuits sandwiched with a thick smear of dulce de leche, there are countless variations.  From white, dark or milk chocolate enrobed classics, to chocolate biscuits forming the sandwich, to biscuits wrapped around calafate jam, to coconut dusted.  Bite sized to side plate sized, I even saw a triple alfajores comprising 3 biscuits and 2 layers of dulce de leche – a sweet club sandwich. 
Find them everywhere - in cafes, panaderias, street stalls and artisan shops.  My favourite was a calafate jam filled, white chocolate enrobed alfajores from Chaltenos in El Chalten.  Made on the premises, the chocolate coating gave a satisfying crunch to an otherwise soft snack, the jam was fruity and flavourful, the biscuit wasn’t powdery like others I’ve tried, and it was the perfect size to enjoy without feeling like I’d consumed my entire year’s allowance of sugar in one sitting.

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