Vegan Alfajores (Caramel Cookies)
Did you know alfajores are a specialty from Argentina? And this special recipe is veganized! Carolyn Scott-Hamilton brings us vegan alfajores (caramel cookies) from her cookbook, The Healthy Voyager’s Global Kitchen. In this cookbook, Carolyn veganizes her favorite dishes from Europe, Asia, and South America. And most of the recipes have gluten-free options as well.
Thanks Carolyn, for sharing your recipe for vegan alfajores (caramel cookies). I feel like I’m ready to tango!
Note: if you don’t like coconut, you can roll the cookies in chopped nuts instead.
For more easy vegan desserts and other recipes, visit the complete Yummy Plants recipe collection where you can also find vegan gluten-free recipes!
If you run out of time to cook and guests are coming soon, visit the Food Reviews section to find a yummy store-bought vegan dessert or a packaged vegan meal that is tasty and quick to prepare. I only list vegan foods that taste good, so all of the products are Yummy Plants Approved!
Are you a new vegan, trying to figure out what can vegans eat? Visit Start Here: Vegan for Beginners and the Vegan FAQ. You’ll learn about easy egg and dairy substitutions, vegan protein sources, and how to stock your pantry.
For more detailed information, pick up a copy of It’s Easy to Start Eating Vegan.
Alfajores (Caramel Cookies)
Ingredients
For Cookies:
- 3/4 cup 338 g vegan butter
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar (or use 1 cup [120 g] confectioners’ sugar for a fluffier cookie)
- 2 tablespoons 30 ml soymilk
- 2 tablespoons 25 g puréed silken tofu
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons 30 ml brandy or cognac
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
- 2 cups 240 g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 128 g cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For Dulce de Leche:
- 1 1/2 cups 390 g raw, unsalted almond butter
- 3/4 cup 255 g brown rice syrup
- 1/2 cup 170 g maple syrup or agave nectar or (115 g) light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup 32 g soymilk powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla powder or extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For serving:
- 3/4 cup 60 g grated coconut must be grated because shredded is too large
- Confectioners’ sugar for serving
Instructions
To make the cookies:
- Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and creamy. Add the milk and puréed tofu and mix. Add the vanilla, brandy, and lemon zest; mix well and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and work together with your hands until combined and soft. Do not add any extra flour. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (170°C, or gas mark 3). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough in half and keep half refrigerated. On a floured work surface and using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch (6 mm). Cut into 2-inch (5 cm) rounds with a cookie cutter and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining half of the cookie dough.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. The cookies should be dry but not brown.
To make the dulce de leche:
- Mix all the ingredients in a pot and cook over medium heat until it the caramel starts to pull away from the sides of the pot. You may want to prepare this in a double boiler so you lessen the chance of scorching the mixture. Remove from the heat and let cool and thicken before filling the cookie sandwiches.
To assemble the cookies:
- When the cookies are cool, match them up into pairs of like sizes.
- Turn one cookie over and spread a dollop of dulce de leche onto the flat part of the cookie (it is much easier to spread when the dulce is warm). Place its partner on top (flat side down) and gently press so that the caramel comes to the edges. Roll the edges in the coconut and place on a rack to set. Repeat with the remaining cookie pairs.
- When ready to serve, sift a light layer of confectioners’ sugar over the tops of the cookies and place them on a platter.
Hope you enjoy this easy vegan recipe!
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