Growing up, my grandmother’s kitchen was my happy place. It was always filled with love and an aroma of her famous ~ amongst family & friends ~ Peruvian dishes. Among the many treasures she shared with me, her recipe for alfajores held a special place. These delicate sandwich cookies, filled with creamy dulce de leche, became our family’s favorite treat.

Now, I’m carrying on her tradition with a twist: matcha powder. Inspired by my love for matcha and its vibrant, earthy flavor, I’ve blended it into the cookie dough, creating matcha alfajores. They’re a perfect fusion of my Peruvian heritage and my passion for matcha. Each bite feels like a tribute to her legacy while adding my unique touch to her beloved recipe.

 What you’ll need:

• Gluten Free Flour – I like using GF flour when baking because it's a great alternative for those avoiding gluten (like myself) while still providing a satisfying texture in baked goods. Bob's Red Mill is a brand I've had success with when baking. 
• Whole milk -- I use grass-fed whole milk is my go-to for its richer flavor and higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
• Butter -- I recommend using grass-fed butter if you can. It not only enhances flavor but also contains more nutrients like vitamin K2, which supports bone health and calcium absorption.
• Coconut sugar -- I love using coconut sugar because it's a lower glycemic alternative to refined sugars and contains trace minerals like iron and zinc.
• Vanilla extract: A higher-quality vanilla extract adds a pure, aromatic sweetness without the artificial additives found in synthetic versions.

Here’s how you can make them yourself

Ingredients

Cookies

• 4 cups Gluten-Free Flour
• 6 tbsp Organic Powdered Sugar
• 3 tbsp Culinary Matcha Powder
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 6 tbsp Whole Milk
• 2 sticks Butter (room temperature)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Dulce de Leche (Filling)

• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 1¼ cups Coconut Sugar
• ¼ tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Dulce de Leche (Filling):

1. In a large saucepan, stir together the milk, coconut sugar, and baking soda.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a low simmer. Stir occasionally for about 1½ to 1¾ hours until the mixture thickens and caramelizes.
3. Once it reaches a rich golden-brown hue, stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Transfer the dulce de leche to a bowl and let it cool completely.

Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the gluten-free flour, powdered sugar, matcha powder, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the milk and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until smooth.
5. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture. Mix until the dough just comes together. It will start sandy, but be patient—it’ll form a soft dough.
6. Divide the dough in half. Roll out each portion to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
7. Using a round or fluted cookie cutter (about 2 inches), cut out rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
8. Reroll the scraps and cut out more rounds until all the dough is used.
9. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly firm and set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Assemble the Alfajores:

1. Spread about 1½ teaspoons of dulce de leche on the bottom of half the cookies.
2. Top with the remaining cookies to form sandwiches.
3. Dust with a light coating of powdered sugar before serving.

Why Matcha Alfajores?

The addition of matcha powder gives these cookies an earthy flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the dulce de leche. With their rich flavor and matcha green color, they offer a modern twist to a classic Peruvian treat. Whether you’re honoring your own family traditions or creating new ones, these Matcha Alfajores are bound to become a favorite in your home.

Enjoy each bite, and may it bring you as much joy as my grandmother’s kitchen brought to me.

Bottom Line: It’s the matcha treat you didn’t know you needed

These Matcha Alfajores are the perfect balance of earthy and sweet, with a creamy dulce de leche filling that melts in your mouth. They make a great dessert or afternoon treat. Short on time? You can prep the dough ahead and chill it until you're ready to bake!

If you love these matcha alfajores, give these other recipes a try: 

• Easy Matcha Shortbread Cookie Recipe
• 5-Ingredient Moist Peanut Butter Matcha Oatmeal Cookies
• Matcha Cookie Recipe With Macadamia Nuts & White Chocolate
• Matcha Butter Super Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Resources:

Ramesh, S. V., S. Sudharshana, Jacob, A., P. P. Shameena Beegum, R. Pandiselvam, Manikantan, M. R., Gopal, M., & Hebbar, K. B. (2024). Coconut Sugar: Nutritive Potential and Prospects. 187–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3976-9_9

Provenza, F. D., Kronberg, S. L., & Gregorini, P. (2019). Is Grassfed Meat and Dairy Better for Human and Environmental Health? Frontiers in Nutrition, 6(26). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00026

Martínez-Villaluenga, C., Peñas, E., & Hernández-Ledesma, B. (2020). Pseudocereal grains: Nutritional value, health benefits and current applications for the development of gluten-free foods. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 137, 111178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2020.111178