These Heart Shaped Dulce de Leche Cookie Recipe (Alfajores) feature soft cookie layers filled with a luscious Dulce de Leche filling. This Dulce de Leche cookies recipe uses simple ingredients to make delicious Dulce de Leche sandwich cookies that are as beautiful as they are irresistible — perfect for sharing on special days, like Valentine’s Day!
What are Alfajores?
Alfajores are delicious cookie sandwiches popular across South America, known for their buttery cookies that practically melt in your mouth. These Dulce De Leche stuffed cookies are traditionally rolled in shredded coconut to complement the rich Dulce De Leche filling.
I took the original recipe and gave it a festive Valentine’s Day twist by swapping the coconut for red and white sprinkles. The creamy Dulce De Leche and tender cookie layers come together for a treat loved throughout South America for a long time — now made even more special with a pop of color and sweetness!
I love everything about this dulce de leche cookie recipe — their soft, buttery texture and the richness of the dulce de leche make them the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee. There are many Alfajores Recipes out there, but I hope you try this one — it’s a favorite in my home, and I hope it brings as much joy to yours as it does to mine!
And while you are here, take a peak a these Puff Pastry Trees with Dulce de Leche and my Baked Dulce de Leche and Apple Empanadas.
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🍽 Equipment
To make these Heart Shaped Dulce de Leche Cookie Recipe (Alfajores), gather the following tools:
- Parchment Paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- A Cookie Sheet or Cookie Tray for baking the cookies evenly.
- A Stand Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer and 2 Large Bowls—one for mixing the dough and one for sifting dry ingredients.
- A Wire Rack for cooling the cookies properly after baking.
- A Piping Bag (optional) to neatly apply the creamy dulce de leche filling for perfect presentation.
- Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutters create a festive heart design that makes these cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Having these items ready will make the process smoother and more enjoyable!
📝Ingredients and Substitutions
See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities
Alfajores Recipe Ingredients Notes
This list gives you a quick idea of the simple yet flavorful ingredients that make these Latin cookies unique.
- Cornstarch and all purpose flour – Cornstarch is the secret ingredient that gives these cookies their melt-in-your-mouth texture, while flour provides structure.
- Baking Powder and Salt – Help with the rise and balance of the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter (softened) – The key to tender, buttery cookies with a soft crumb.
- Egg Yolks and Whole Eggs at room temperature – Add richness, moisture, and structure to the dough.
- POWDERED SUGAR – Creates a smooth dough and keeps the cookies tender.
- Lemon Zest and vanilla extract – Add a bright, citrus note and warm, sweet flavor.
- Dulce de Leche – A rich, creamy filling you can buy or make at home (see below).
- Sprinkles – A fun and festive way to decorate these Valentine’s Day treats!
How to Make Dulce de Leche from Condensed Milk
If you can’t find ready-made Dulce de Leche, making homemade dulce de leche from sweetened condensed milk is simple. Here’s an easy cooking process using a pressure cooker:
- Remove the label from a can of sweetened condensed milk and place the unopened can in the pressure cooker. Lay the can on its side to prevent it from shaking during pressure cooking.
- Add enough water to cover the can completely.
- Seal the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 30–35 minutes.
- Let the pressure be released naturally, and let the can cool completely before opening.
This step is crucial — do not open the can while it’s still hot, as the contents can burst and cause a mess or injury. - Once cooled, you’ll have perfectly creamy sweet dulce de leche ready to enjoy. This method creates rich, creamy homemade dulce de leche, perfect for filling your alfajores.
🥣 How to make this Dulce de Leche Cookie Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions for Heart-Shaped Dulce de Leche Alfajores Cookies
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, sift together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures the cookie dough is smooth and free of lumps. Set the mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed for even consistency. - Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the whole eggs one at a time on low speed to avoid overmixing. Once combined, add the vanilla extract and lemon zest, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the sifted dry mixture to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low speed.
- Mix until combined for the best results — avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the cookie dough into three portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes to firm up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut.
- I like to flatten each portion into thin disks before chilling, making rolling the dough for cookie cutting more manageable.
- Cut and Chill Again: Roll out one portion of dough at a time on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutters (or your favorite shape) to cut out cookies.
- Place the cut cookies on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate the cookies for 30 minutes, (this helps prevent spreading during baking).
- Heat Oven and Bake Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake in the center rack for 10–12 minutes.
** The cookies should remain pale and not turn golden brown — they should only be set without browning.
After the baking time is complete, remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Assemble the Cookies: Avoid assembling the alfajores with warm cookies, as the filling may become too runny.
- Once cooled, pipe dulce de leche onto the center of each cookie base using a piping bag. Add another cookie on top, and gently press the top over the dulce de leche to create a filled cookie sandwich.
Final Step! Decorate and Serve
Roll the edges of each assembled cookie in festive sprinkles or dust with extra powdered sugar for a finishing touch. These easy cookies pair perfectly with coffee or as a sweet Valentine’s Day gift!
Following these steps, you’ll bake irresistibly soft alfajores with a creamy, indulgent filling every time! The best Dulce De Leche Cookie you’ll ever try!
🧑🍳Alfajores Recipe Variations
- Christmas-Shaped Alfajores: For a festive holiday version, use cookie cutters in fun Christmas shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes. Decorate the edges with red, green, and white sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
- Classic Round Alfajores: To create classic alfajores, stick with the traditional round shape. Roll the edges in shredded coconut for a nod to the authentic presentation or keep them simple with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
🍲Storage suggestions
Store refrigerated in an air tight container for 5-10 days.
These Heart Shaped Dulce de Leche Cookie Recipe (Alfajores) are a great addition to your dessert collection, whether you’re making a special treat for someone you love or celebrating a special day. Their soft texture and creamy filling make them stand out as Decorated Valentine Cookies that look as good as they taste.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make heart-shaped cookies, I hope this recipe made the process simple and fun. These Easy Alfajores are the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day — or any occasion where a sweet, homemade touch makes all the difference! Enjoy! And Buen Provecho!
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🍽️Other Recipes with Dulce de Leche
If you’re craving another Dulce de Leche Dessert recipe, I’ve got you covered! Indulge in these decadent treats. There’s something delicious for every Dulce de Leche lover!
🍴Pairing Suggestions
These are some of my favorite dishes to serve with this Alfajores Recipe:
📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️
Heart Shaped Dulce de Leche Alfajores Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill time: 75 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 25 Alfajores 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Argentinian
Description
Delicious Heart-Shaped Alfajores! These Heart Shaped Dulce de Leche Cookie Recipe (Alfajores) feature soft, buttery cookies filled with rich Dulce de Leche and decorated with festive sprinkles. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, this easy recipe is a sweet way to show someone you care!
Equipment You'll Need: Stand Electric Mixer, or Hand Mixer and 2 Large Bowls. Cookie Sheets. Parchment Paper. Wire Rack (optional). A Piping Bag (optional). Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutters or your favorite shape.
Ingredients
Alfajores Recipe Ingredients
- 3 cups of Cornstarch
- 1 and 2/3 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 Unsalted Butter Sticks (softened)
- 1 and 2/3 cup Powdered Sugar
- 3 Egg Yolks at room temperature
- 2 Whole Eggs at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Zest from one Lemon
- 2 cups Dulce de Leche — See notes
- Sprinkles of the color of your choice - Adds a festive touch for Valentine’s Day or any celebration.
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions for Heart-Shaped Dulce de Leche Alfajores Cookies
- Sift Dry Ingredients - In a mixing bowl, sift together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar - In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients - Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the whole eggs one at a time on low speed to avoid overmixing. Once combined, add the vanilla extract and lemon zest, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients - Slowly add the sifted dry mixture to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low speed. Mix until combined —avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough - Divide the cookie dough into three portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes to firm up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut. I like to flatten each portion into thin disks before chilling, this makes rolling the dough for cookie cutting more manageable.
- Cut and Chill Again - Roll out one portion of dough at a time on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutters (or your favorite shape) to cut out cookies. Place the cut cookies on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate the shaped cookies for 30 minutes (this prevents spreading during baking).
- Heat Oven and Bake Cookies - Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake in the center rack for 10–12 minutes. The cookies should remain pale and should only be set without browning.
- Cool the Cookies - Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Avoid assembling the alfajores with warm cookies, as the filling may become too runny.
- Assemble the Cookies - Once cooled, pipe dulce de leche onto the center of each cookie base using a piping bag. Add another cookie on top, and gently press the top over the dulce de leche to create a filled cookie sandwich.
- Decorate and Serve - Roll the edges of each assembled cookie in festive sprinkles or dust with extra powdered sugar for a finishing touch. These easy cookies pair perfectly with coffee or as a sweet Valentine’s Day gift!
Notes
- Dulce de Leche can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, such as the La Lechera brand, which is available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon. You can also see above how to make your own DULCE DE LECHE at home.
- Homemade Dulce de Leche – You can make your own dulce de leche at home using sweetened condensed milk. Scroll up to find the easy instructions on how to make dulce de leche fast.
- Storage Suggestions - Store refrigerated in an air tight container for 5-10 days.
-- Other sweet treats with Dulce de Leche:
Dulce de Leche Chocolate Cake with a Cream Cheese | A Latin Flair
Puff Pastry Christmas Trees with Dulce de Leche | A Latin Flair
Easy Dulce de Leche Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats | A Latin Flair
Easy Dulce de Leche and Apple Empanadas (Baked) | A Latin Flair
Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche | A Latin Flair
Sonja says
I had spotted these Dulce de Leche Cookies before and found them so pretty, I just had to make them for a valentines themed party. They were an absolute hit. Sure, the looks, but I spotted several people essentially purring at their first bite (including me). So good!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you for sharing that — it made me smile! 🥰 I'm happy the cookies were such a hit at your party, both for their looks and that first yummy bite!🙌
Oscar says
These dulce de leche sandwich cookies are so easy to make yet taste bakery-quality. The heart shape adds a lovely touch for gifting or celebrations!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you so much! I'm delighted you found them both easy and delicious — the heart shape really does make them extra special.
Vera says
These cookies were amazing! The filling was something special! My kids already want me to make more.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Vera! I'm happy to hear they were a hit with your kids — nothing beats a recipe that’s family-approved!😍
Swathi says
This is a wonderful idea for Valentine's, I love anything with dulce-leche these cookies are addictive.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you! 😊 I'm glad you enjoyed the idea for Valentine’s. Dulce de leche and these cookies are definitely a dangerously addictive combo! ❤️🍪
Ieva says
These were my favourite treat when we travelled in Argentina, but it was the first time I tasted them homemade. So so good, and not as difficult to make as I expected. Great recipe, with clear instructions - a must-try!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you for the lovely comment, Leva! 😊 I'm glad you got to enjoy them homemade — there's something special about making these treats yourself. I'm thrilled the recipe and instructions worked well for you!
Nicole says
These cookies were absolutely delicious and even more adorable to look at!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you! 😊 I'm happy you loved both the taste and looks. They really are perfect for a special treat! ❤️
Claudia says
These heart-shaped dulce de leche cookies are pure magic! I made them for a special occasion, and they were a huge hit. The cookies are tender and melt-in-your-mouth, and the dulce de leche filling is just heavenly. Such a fun and delicious treat—highly recommend trying them!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! 😊 I'm thrilled they were a hit — there’s nothing better than melt-in-your-mouth cookies and heavenly dulce de leche! ❤️🍪
Neyssa says
These cookies are seriously amazing! Thanks for making it so easy, too. 🙂
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you for your sweet comment, Neyssa! I'm so glad you enjoyed the cookies. Making it simple and fun was my goal — thank you for sharing your feedback!😊
Amber says
These are adorable! I love Valentine's desserts! Visiting from the FB linky. Have a great week!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Amber,
I’m happy you liked the cookies! Valentine’s desserts are always fun to create — thank you for stopping by! Have a great week as well.
Sonja says
Anything Dulce de Leche is a winner in my book. These cookies are utterly cute and perfect as a Valentines day gift, considering how sweet they are. Perfect to share with loved ones and easy to make. Loved the crunch of the sprinkles!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thanks, Sonja! Anything with Dulce de Leche is delish, isn't it? Thanks for leaving your comment! 🙂