Cookie Recipes from Africa: Ghoriba, Mbatata, Chin Chin, and Outydse Soetkoekies

If you’re a budget traveller who wants a mini tour around Africa, then the best way to do so is through food. You can recreate tons of recipes, including desserts like cakes, puddings and cookies from the comfort of the kitchen for yourself and your loved ones. Most of these recipes will come together really quickly, so enjoy the experience of bringing a taste of Africa into your home, without breaking the bank.

Ghoriba from North Africa

Ingredients:

• 240 g flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg white
• 80 ml melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 80 ml honey (warmed in microwave)
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 egg yolk for egg wash

Instructions:

• Whisk both eggs, the egg white and sugar first in a bowl. Then add melted butter, warm honey and vanilla extract.
• In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Add this to the wet mix.
• Use your hands to mix until you achieve a soft, malleable dough.
• Let the dough rest for 10 to 15 minutes. In the meantime, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180 C.
• Shape the dough into round cookies, then press them onto the baking tray.
• Quickly beat the single egg yolk and brush it over every cookie. This step will give the cookies a burnished, golden appearance.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

Mbatata from East Africa

Ingredients:

• 120 g cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
• 2 tbsp oil
• 120 g refined flour
• 60 g brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 60 g raisins
• 3 tbsp toasted coconut

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
• Combine cooked, mashed sweet potatoes and oil. Then add mix in flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
• Lastly, add raisins and mix to get a crumbly dough.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface, then roll it out until it’s about ½ inch. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create individual cookies.
• Place the cookies on the baking tray and sprinkle with toasted coconut. You can also use dried fruit or dates as a topping.
• Bake the cookies for about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer them onto a wire rack and cool before digging in.

Chin Chin from West Africa

Ingredients:

• 240 g flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 50 g sugar
• 75 g room temperature butter
• 60 ml room temperature milk
• 1 egg
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder

Instructions:

• Sift flour, nutmeg, cinnamon powder, and baking powder first and set aside.
• Cut room temperature butter into small blocks and rub it into the flour using your fingertips.
• Create a well in the centre of the butter flour mix, then add egg, milk, and sugar. Combine these ingredients, preferably by hand to form a dough.
• Knead lightly for about 5 minutes to achieve a smooth and supple texture. If it’s sticky, add more flour.
• Roll it into a log and then divide into small balls. Roll them out thin, then cut them into rectangles.
• Place these cookies on a tray that’s lined with baking paper. Cover with a cloth if you’re not immediately frying.
• Heat oil in a deep-bottomed pan or kadhai and fry the chin chin in batches. Drain on a paper towel and serve hot.

Outydse Soetkoekies from South Africa

Ingredients:

• 200 g flour
• 225 g butter
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 200 g sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp lukewarm water
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

• First, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
• Cream the butter and sugar, then add one egg at a time.
• Fold dry ingredients into the butter and eggs, and keep mixing until you get a dough.
• Adjust with the quantity of water if the dough is dry or add more flour if it's sticky.
• Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
• While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 180 C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 4 mm on a lightly floured surface.
• Use a cookie cutter to create the cookies then place them on the baking tray.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes.
• Allow them to cool before enjoying them with a fresh cup of coffee.