The History of Alfajor

05 Feb The History of Alfajor

The alfajor, an iconic sweet in Latin America, has its origins in medieval Spain, where the Arabs introduced a version similar to baklava, made with honey and nuts wrapped in a wafer.

During the colonization of the Americas, the recipe was brought over by the colonizers and adapted with local ingredients such as dulce de leche and coconut, creating the alfajor as we know it today.

In the 19th century, the alfajor became popular in Latin America with the expansion of industry, turning into a mass-marketed treat.
By the early 20th century, alfajores were already available in kiosks, and the first commercial brands emerged, some of which remain popular. Since the 1990s, candy brands have launched alfajor versions inspired by their most well-known products.

Despite industrialization, the alfajor maintains a variety of regional and modern versions, from the classic chocolate and dulce de leche to vegan and gluten-free options.