King Kong is a popular Peruvian dessert that will surprise you with its sweetness and history. Discover its origins, learn how to make it, and we'll tell you where to try it.
King Kong, the name of this delicious Peruvian pastry, may seem unusual. At least to those unfamiliar with it. But, in short, it's a larger version of the alfajor. Certainly, with some variations that have earned it the nickname of the famous gorilla from the film.
King Kong: A layered cookie dessert popular in Peru. Image credits to frayedpassport.com
History of King Kong
King Kong's story begins in 1920, when baker Victoria Mejía from Lambayeque, a city in northern Peru, had a great idea. So, with the support of her daughter and some friends, she prepared a large alfajor with other flavors, such as pineapple candy, peanut candy, and manjar blanco. These flavors were added to the original recipe.
Origins of King Kong
King Kong, initially and for several years, didn't have a specific name. The impact was such that the novel quickly became a sensation throughout the city. However, it lacked a specific name and was referred to by various names. In 1933, the year of the world premiere of the film King Kong. This larger version of the alfajor emerged that same year, and it began to receive the name we know today. According to its history, people, upon leaving the movie theaters after watching the hit film, would enjoy this dessert at street stalls. And they would order it in honor of the great gorilla. As you can see, the originality of this dessert lies in its recipe and its name, which is a popular association.
King Kong Recipe
Ingredients
For the biscuits or cookies:
- 100 grams of all-purpose flour.
- One cup of cornstarch.
- Half a teaspoon of baking soda.
- One teaspoon of baking powder.
- 50 grams of salt.
- One stick of unsalted butter.
- 45 grams of sugar.
- Zest of one lemon.
- Two egg yolks.
- One tablespoon of water.
- Half a teaspoon of vanilla essence.
- Dulce de leche or manjar blanco.
- Pineapple jam or marmalade.
- Please note that, over time, with the development of the food industry in Peru, several versions or recipes for King Kong have emerged. The one we offer here is one of the most traditional.
- If you plan to prepare King Kong at home, you can also experiment with layers of other wet ingredients to alternate with the biscuits.
Preparation
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the butter and sugar.
- To this butter and sugar mixture, add the egg yolks, lemon zest, water, and vanilla.
- Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
- Then, add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Roll out the dough until it's approximately half a centimeter thick and then cut it into seven 5-centimeter-wide discs.
- Place the discs on a floured baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let these cookies cool before forming the layers, alternating them with manjar blanco and pineapple candy.
Where to eat King Kong
In Lima
King Kong Llampayec: Excellent traditional pastry shop located at 424 Diagonal Avenue in Miraflores, across from Kennedy Park.
Club Lambayeque Restaurant: Located at 977 Avenida del Ejército, Miraflores, they offer excellent lunches and dinners, specializing in dishes from northern Peru. Their desserts are no exception.
In Cusco
San Roque: Expert pastry chefs boast the best Kin Kong alfajores and desserts in Cusco. You can find them at 602 El Sol Avenue.
Dulces Tentaciones: Specializes in traditional desserts and its creations. Located in Recoleta Angosta, Cusco.
Image credits to: Shutterstock.com
