Recipe

Spanish Almond Alfajores

Deliciously Nutty Spanish Almond Alfajores

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the rich flavors of Spanish cuisine with these delectable Spanish Almond Alfajores. This traditional Spanish treat combines the nuttiness of almonds with a delicate buttery cookie, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures.

Dessert› Alfajores (Spain)

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Spanish cuisine

Preparation time

30 minutes

Cooking time

10-12 minutes

Total time

50-55 minutes

Yields

12 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Gluten-free (if using gluten-free flour), Lactose-free (if using dairy-free butter)

Allergens

Almonds, Wheat (if not using gluten-free flour), Dairy (if not using dairy-free butter)

Not suitable for

Vegan, Paleo

Ingredients

1 cup (120g) ground almonds 1 cup (120g) ground almonds
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (120g) almond butter (for filling) 1/2 cup (120g) almond butter (for filling)
Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
Fat: 12g (5g saturated)
Carbohydrates: 15g (7g sugars)
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g
Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, flour, granulated sugar, softened butter, almond extract, and salt. Mix until the dough comes together.
2.
Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm).
5.
Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
7.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
8.
Once the cookies are cooled, spread a generous amount of almond butter on the bottom side of one cookie and sandwich it with another cookie.
9.
Dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar.
10.
Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

Ground Almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for a smoother texture in the cookies. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until fine.
Almond Butter — Choose a high-quality almond butter for the filling to enhance the almond flavor. If desired, you can make your own almond butter by blending roasted almonds until smooth.

Tips & Tricks

To enhance the flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of orange blossom water to the cookie dough.
If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can mix powdered sugar into the almond butter before spreading it on the cookies.
For an extra special touch, you can dip the edges of the assembled cookies in melted chocolate and let them set before dusting with powdered sugar.

Serving advice

Serve Spanish Almond Alfajores with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also perfect for special occasions or as a homemade gift for friends and family.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Spanish Almond Alfajores on a decorative platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar. You can also garnish with a few whole almonds for an elegant touch.