Alfajores: The Oreo-Mallomar of Argentina

A traditional alfajore from Argentina is two buttery cookies filled with creamy dulce de leche caramel. Although these scrumptious treats are typically made with butter, milk, eggs, and sugar, there are as many versions as there are types of cookies (some are plain, some are covered in chocolate, etc.). What they all have in common is a loyal following of alfajore enthusiasts who couldn’t imagine life without this luscious treat.

Alfajores are to Argentinians what the Mallomar and Oreo cookies are to Americans. The idea is similar: take a cookie or two and fill the center with a soft sweet filling and then enjoy as is or add more decadence by covering the cookie in chocolate.

Calling these treats a cookie is almost a disservice because they are so much more than that. An alfajore is really a pastry or a cross between a gourmet cookie, a candy bar, and a pastry may be a more accurate description.

Dr. Cow, a small store in Brooklyn, New York makes one of the most luscious versions I’ve ever tasted. Made with sprouted almonds, sprouted cashews, sprouted walnuts, dates, coconut sugar, cacao, yacon syrup (syrup made from the roots of the yacon plant which grows natively in the Andes mountains in South America), vanilla bean, and Himalayan sea salt, this alfajore is crunchy, creamy, and luscious. Oh, and it’s dairy and egg free, organic, and raw, too!

Enjoy this slightly sweet classic Argentinian cookie as a snack or for dessert. You may never eat a Mallomar or Oreo again after tasting these treats.

Purchase on-line at Dr-Cow (www.dr-cow.com) where a pack of 4 is $30.