Alfajores de Maicena (Buttery Cornstarch Cookies Filled with Dulce de Leche)

Name: Alfajores de Maicena (Buttery Cornstarch Cookies Filled with Dulce de Leche)
Yield: Makes 24 cookies
Ingredients: 2 (13.4 ounces/380 grams) cans, Nestlé La Lechera Dulce de Leche; 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon, table salt; 1½ cups (6 ounces/170 grams), cornstarch; 1⅓ cups (6⅔ ounces/189 grams), all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon, baking powder; ¼ teaspoon, table salt; 16 tablespoons, unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup (3½ ounces/99 grams), sugar; 3 , large egg yolks; 1 tablespoon, brandy (optional); 1 teaspoon, grated lemon zest; 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract; 1 cup (3 ounces/85 grams), unsweetened shredded coconut

Desserts or Baked Goods
Cookies
Holiday

By Sandra Wu ･ Appears in Cook's Illustrated January/February 2022

In the iconic version of this Latin American treat, shortbread-like cookies married with creamy dulce de leche are a melt-in-your-mouth indulgence.

SERVES Makes 24 cookies

TIME 2 hours, plus 1 hour chilling

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