Alfajor
Two alfajores | |
| Alternative names | Alfajores |
|---|---|
| Course | Sweet or dessert |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature |
| Main ingredients | Flour, honey, almonds, hazelnuts, dulce de leche |
An alfajor or alajú (Spanish pronunciation: [alfaˈxoɾ], plural alfajores) is a traditional confection. Originally from present-day Spain, it is found now in Argentina, Bolivia, Southern Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Southern France, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
The alfajor was born in Iberia during the rule of al-Andalus. The Spanish alfajor is produced in the form of a small cylinder and is sold either individually or in boxes containing several pieces.
Traditional alfajores in Argentina, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela consist of two round, sweet biscuits made of wheat flour or corn flour joined with dulce de leche (known as "manjar blanco" in Peru and as "arequipe" in Venezuela), and optionally coated with powdered sugar. More modern "industrial" varieties in Uruguay and Argentina, are coated with dark or white chocolate (many alfajores are sold in "black" and "white" versions), or simply covered with powdered sugar.