What’s the secret to making French desserts a little more laid back? Coconut alphajors are the answer, with their easy homemade charm and weeknight dinner friendly simplicity, thanks to shredded coconut and gooey caramel, save this idea for a quick treat to impress your family and friends, try it soon

COCONUT ALPHAJORS

Introduction

Imagine a dessert that combines the richness of coconut, the crunch of toasted almonds, and the sweetness of caramelized sugar, all wrapped up in a delicate, chewy package. Welcome to the world of Coconut Alphajors, a creative twist on the traditional South American alfajores. These delectable treats are surprisingly easy to make, requiring minimal specialty ingredients and effort, making them perfect for a weeknight dessert or a special occasion. With their unique blend of textures and flavors, Coconut Alphajors are sure to impress your friends and family, and their ease of preparation means you can enjoy them anytime.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of coconut, almonds, and dulce de leche provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures, while using readily available ingredients.
• Ease of preparation: Despite their impressive appearance, Coconut Alphajors are straightforward to make, requiring only a few steps and basic kitchen equipment.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: The end result is a beautifully presented dessert that looks like it came from a professional bakery, but can be achieved with minimal fuss and effort.

Key Ingredients

The main ingredients in Coconut Alphajors include all-purpose flour, desiccated coconut, unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, dulce de leche, and sliced almonds. For practical substitutions, you can use shredded coconut instead of desiccated, and if you can’t find dulce de leche, you can make your own by heating sweetened condensed milk until it caramelizes. Additionally, if you prefer a different type of nut, you can substitute the almonds with hazelnuts or pecans.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, confectioners’ sugar, and desiccated coconut. Add the unsalted butter and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla extract. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
3. Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass. Place the circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Step 4: To assemble the Coconut Alphajors, spread a small amount of dulce de leche on one half of a cooled cookie, then sandwich with another cookie. Roll the edges in sliced almonds to coat, and dust the tops with confectioners’ sugar. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Handy Tips

• Make sure to chill the dough long enough to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up, as this will make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
• If you find that your dough is too sticky, you can add a small amount of flour to balance it out. Conversely, if the dough is too dry, you can add a small amount of egg to bring it together.
• To ensure that your Coconut Alphajors are evenly baked, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.

Heat Control

If you’re using a conventional oven, make sure to check the cookies after 15 minutes to avoid overcooking. The ideal temperature for baking the cookies is 350°F (180°C), and the baking time should be between 15-20 minutes. To check for doneness, look for lightly golden edges and a firm texture. If you prefer a crisper cookie, you can bake them for an additional 2-3 minutes, but be careful not to overcook.

Crunch Factor

To achieve the perfect crunch factor, make sure to toast the sliced almonds in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. This will enhance the flavor and texture of the almonds, providing a delightful contrast to the chewy cookies and dulce de leche. You can also add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the Coconut Alphajors to balance out the sweetness and add an extra layer of texture.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• To make the assembly process easier, you can prepare the dulce de leche and toasted almonds ahead of time and store them in airtight containers at room temperature.
• If you’re having trouble getting the cookies to stick together, you can try using a small amount of melted chocolate or caramel to “glue” them together.
• To add an extra layer of flavor, you can infuse the dulce de leche with a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt before assembling the Coconut Alphajors.

Storage Tips

• Leftover Coconut Alphajors can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• If you want to freeze the cookies, you can do so by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cookies can be stored for up to 2 months.
• To reheat frozen cookies, simply thaw them at room temperature or reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Gift Packaging Ideas

If you want to give Coconut Alphajors as a gift, you can package them in a variety of creative ways. Try placing them in a decorative tin or jar, or wrapping them individually in cellophane bags and tying with a ribbon. You can also add a personal touch by including a handwritten note or a sprinkle of edible flowers on top of the cookies.

Flavor Variations

• Different spices: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the dough for a unique flavor twist.
• Creative toppings: In addition to toasted almonds, you can try using other nuts like hazelnuts or pecans, or even dried fruit like cranberries or cherries.
• Ingredient swaps: If you want to make the Coconut Alphajors more decadent, you can try using browned butter instead of regular butter, or adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to the dough for a mocha flavor.

Troubleshooting

• Texture problems: If your cookies are too hard, you can try baking them for a shorter amount of time. If they’re too soft, you can try baking them for a longer amount of time.
• Ingredient replacements: If you don’t have dulce de leche, you can try using caramel sauce or honey as a substitute. If you don’t have sliced almonds, you can try using chopped nuts or shredded coconut instead.
• Over/undercooking signs: If your cookies are overcooked, they will be dark brown and hard. If they’re undercooked, they will be pale and soft. To avoid overcooking, make sure to check the cookies frequently during the baking time.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze the Coconut Alphajors for up to 2 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Is it gluten-free? No, the Coconut Alphajors contain all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can try substituting the flour with a gluten-free alternative to make the cookies gluten-free.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to make more Coconut Alphajors. Simply multiply all the ingredients by two and follow the same instructions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Coconut Alphajors are a delicious and creative dessert that can be made with minimal effort and ingredients. With their perfect balance of flavors and textures, they’re sure to impress your friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is a great way to add some excitement to your dessert repertoire. So go ahead, get creative, and enjoy the delightful taste of Coconut Alphajors!