--- title: "Cornstarch and Condensed Milk Cookies — Homemade Galletas de Maicena Recipe" description: "Versión en Español. Cornstarch and condensed milk cookies, or galletas de maicena y leche condensada, are delicate, melt in your mouth cookies made with sifted cornstarch, butter, powdered sugar, an e..." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/cornstarch-condensed-milk-cookies-galletas-de-maicena-recipe/ date: 2026-10-04 modified: 2026-10-04 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cornstarch-condensed-milk-cookies-galletas-de-maicena-featured.jpg categories: ["Desserts"] type: post lang: en --- # Cornstarch and Condensed Milk Cookies — Homemade Galletas de Maicena Recipe [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-galletas-de-maicena-y-leche-condensada/) ![Melt in your mouth cornstarch and condensed milk cookies pressed with a fork](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cornstarch-condensed-milk-cookies-galletas-de-maicena-featured.jpg)*Cornstarch and condensed milk cookies* Cornstarch and condensed milk cookies, or galletas de maicena y leche condensada, are delicate, melt in your mouth cookies made with sifted cornstarch, butter, powdered sugar, an egg yolk, and sweetened condensed milk, pressed with a fork and baked until just golden underneath. They take 15 minutes of preparation and 13 to 15 minutes in the oven, and make 12 servings. They are very easy to make with the family and share at the Chilean afternoon tea called once, and they are popular throughout Latin America. ## How to Make Cornstarch Cookies? The butter and powdered sugar are mixed, then the egg yolk and condensed milk are added, and finally the cornstarch little by little. The soft dough is rolled into balls, flattened with a fork dusted in cornstarch, and baked at a low 160°C (320°F) so the tops stay pale. ## Nutritional Information Each serving of cornstarch and condensed milk cookies contains approximately 260 kcal, 2 g of protein, 10 g of total fat (6 g of saturated fat), 30 mg of cholesterol, 41 g of carbohydrates, 13 g of sugars, and 100 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. ## Homemade Cornstarch and Condensed Milk Cookies Recipe **Preparation:** 15 minutes **Cooking:** 13 to 15 minutes **Servings:** 12 ### Ingredients - 350 g (2¾ cups) of cornstarch - 200 g (⅔ cup) of sweetened condensed milk - 125 g (½ cup plus 1 tablespoon) of butter, at room temperature - 40 g (⅓ cup) of powdered sugar - 1 egg yolk ### Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) for at least 10 minutes. Sift the cornstarch through a fine sieve, ideally twice, and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the room temperature butter and powdered sugar. ![Cornstarch, the main ingredient of galletas de maicena](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cornstarch-galletas-de-maicena.jpg)*Cornstarch* 1. Add the egg yolk and condensed milk and mix with a wooden spoon or whisk until smooth. Add the cornstarch little by little, mixing after each addition so no lumps remain. ![Separating the egg yolk for cornstarch and condensed milk cookies](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/separating-egg-yolk-cornstarch-cookies.jpg)*Egg Yolk* 1. Knead briefly by hand, adjusting with a little more cornstarch or a few drops of water until the dough is soft and even. Roll balls of dough to the size you like, place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet, and flatten them with a fork dusted with cornstarch. ![Sweetened condensed milk for cornstarch cookies](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/condensed-milk-cornstarch-cookies.jpg)*Condensed Milk* 1. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden, then cool on a wire rack. Serve with a good coffee, a glass of milk, or whatever you like. ## Additional Tips ### Knead as little as possible Once all the cornstarch is added, knead only briefly and gently. Overworking the dough makes the cookies hard instead of tender. ### Add salt and vanilla A pinch of fine salt and a few drops of vanilla extract added before the cornstarch enhance both the sweetness and the aroma of the condensed milk. ### Let them cool on a rack They are soft when they come out of the oven and firm up as they cool, so do not overbake them. | Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Condensed milk | Gluten free condensed milk | 1:1 | Fully gluten free cookies | | Butter | Margarine | 1:1 | Less flavor | | Powdered sugar | Granulated sugar, finely ground | 1:1 | Slightly grainier | | Plain cookies | Dip in melted chocolate | To taste | More indulgent | ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ### 1. Why sift the cornstarch twice? Sifting removes lumps and aerates the cornstarch, so it blends evenly with the butter and condensed milk and the cookies keep their light, crumbly texture. ### 2. What if the dough is too dry or sticky? Adjust it little by little. If it is sticky, add a bit more cornstarch. If it is dry and crumbly, add a few drops of water. Aim for a soft dough you can roll into balls without cracking. ### 3. Why are my cornstarch cookies hard? Usually because the dough was kneaded too much after adding all the cornstarch, or the cookies were overbaked. Take them out when the bottoms are just golden. ### 4. Are these cookies gluten free? Cornstarch has no gluten, so if you make sure your condensed milk is certified gluten free, the cookies are suitable for people with celiac disease. ## What Are Galletas de Maicena? Galletas de maicena are melt in your mouth cookies in which cornstarch replaces wheat flour. Condensed milk is the star addition in this version, giving a sweet, milky flavor and a very tender texture. ## Gluten Free Cornstarch Cookies If you have celiac disease or simply want to avoid gluten, these cookies are an easy option. The only ingredient to check is the condensed milk, which should be labeled gluten free. ## Did You Know? Cornstarch, sold in Chile under the brand name Maizena, is the starch extracted from the endosperm of corn kernels, and it is widely used to thicken sauces and creams and to lighten cakes and cookies. ## Recommended - [Chilean Maicena Alfajores Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/recipe-for-maicena-alfajores-or-chilean-maicenitos/) - [Chilean Oatmeal and Coconut Cookies Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-oatmeal-coconut-cookies-galletas-de-avena-y-coco-recipe/) - [Chilean Condensed Milk Calugas Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-calugas-soft-condensed-milk-caramels-recipe/) - [Chilean Galletas Delicias Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-galletas-delicias-jam-sandwich-cookies-recipe/)