They’re a taste of home for Leeside Argentinians.

Now Cork’s voracious appetite for a delicious little cookie called an Alfie is helping a small local bakery to expand.

Based at the Council Incubator Kitchen in Carrigaline, Lavanda Fresca started as a passion project when baker Laura Morales began sharing her creations, including her pretty alfajores or alfies: a traditional Argentine sweet, on Instagram.

“Baking has always been her passion, she had her own bakery back in Argentina and when we moved to Spain she never stopped baking for family and friends,” Laura’s daughter Maria Morales Falcon told Yay Cork.

“I moved to Cork three years ago and during one of the last lockdowns she sent me some of her baked goods all the way from Spain. My friends loved them and her Instagram account started to gain followers from people living in Cork that were asking for the pastries posted on her page.

“It was then that she decided to move to Ireland and get everything ready to launch her business.”

Laura’s mouthwatering alfies involve two crumbly cookies filled with decadent dulce de leche. Each alfie is handcrafted to perfection using the best quality ingredients including natural lemon and orange zest, fine Belgian chocolate, and no preservatives.

“Orders are taken online for collection the next week,” says Maria.

“We don’t have a physical store, but we are open to wholesale opportunities with any cafes in Cork City that are interested in becoming our first physical point of sale. Lavanda Fresca Bakery is also happy to bake for big crews: corporate events, family occasions, etc. too.”

“We bake everything in the Incubator Kitchen in Carrigaline and then the orders can be collected in the city centre depending on what area suits the customer best.”

Larger orders can also be delivered – drop them a DM on Instagram @lavandafresca to place an order.