Yes, you read that right : “Brownie Alfajores”, sounds weird, right? but you should trust me in this one. We know that alfajor cookies have 2 parts : shortbread cookies and dulce de leche filling which is a milk-based caramel BUT today I was craving brownies and I saw a lonely can of dulce de leche calling my name. I got a bit crazy and went ahead with my idea.

I baked a big batch of brownies (my recipe is super easy and never disappoints). Then, I used a round cookie cutter with a good height to cut circles, I put them in the fridge to chill, cut them in half and then filled them with dulce de leche. They are incredible! Super delicious!

Let’s start with the recipe and if you want to watch my videos of how I made them, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Yield about 24 brownie alfajores

Ingredients

For the brownies

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups white granulated sugar

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup dark cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For the filling

one can dulce de leche

Directions

For the brownies

1.- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 13×9 baking pan with parchment paper, set aside.

2.- In a medium size saucepan melt the butter under medium high heat. Please, be sure to not overheat the butter, we need the butter melted but not boiling. When all is melted, let it cool for 5 minutes.

3.- Add in granulated sugar and mix with a whisk or spatula. Add in eggs and whisk really fast because the butter-sugar mixture is warm and we don’t want the eggs to cook. Add in vanilla extract and mix until everything is well combined.

4.- Add in cocoa powder, mix. Add in flour, baking powder and salt and mix well until you don’t see any leftover dry ingredient.

5.- Pour your brownie batter into your prepared pan and place it in the oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes. You will know that your brownies are ready when the top is shiny or when a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.

6.- Take it out from the oven and let the brownie pan cool off completely.

7.- After it is cooled off. Take it out from the pan, remove the parchment paper carefully and place the whole brownie block on top of a flat surface. Grab a small round cookie cutter and make circles. I recommend to use a cookie cutter with a good height because we are going to cut the brownie in half.

8.- Place the brownie circles on a baking sheet and let it chill in the fridge for 30-45 minutes.

9.- Using a knife, cut them in half.

For the filling

1.- I used a pastry bag and a round piping tip and pipe the dulce de leche on top of one half of the brownies.

2.- Press the other half of the brownie down to let the dulce de leche reach the edges.

You can serve them like that or sprinkle powdered sugar on top (like alfajores).

Keep these treats in a airtight container. Do not refrigerate.

If you make these, let me know!