Delightful African Cookie Recipes: A Sweet Journey Through the Continent

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Embark on a flavorful adventure with these authentic African cookie recipes. From the spiced delights of South Africa to the fried wonders of West Africa, discover the unique tastes and traditions baked into each treat.

South African Delights

Hertzoggie Cookies

Hertzoggie Cookies are one of the most popular cookies in South-Africa. But I love a good Hertzoggie and the ones at the supermarkets are really becoming a joke. I made the Hertzoggies exactly as per the recipe and I am happy with the results. NB: However tempting it might be - DO NOT overdo it with the jam!

Here's how to make them:

  1. Sift the Flour, Baking Powder, Salt and Sugar together into a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Add the Butter and rub it into the Flour with you fingertips.
  3. Mix the Egg Yellow and Water and add to the Flour mixture - mix until a dough has formed - place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) - spray 4 x 12 hole patty pans with cooking oil.
  5. Roll out the dough and cut into circles, slightly larger than the patty pan holes, fit the rounds into each hole - place a teaspoon full of the Apricot Jam in the center of the cut-out dough.
  6. Beat the Egg whites until just foamy - do not over beat - add the Coconut and the Caster Sugar - mix well by hand.
  7. Use approximately 1 tablespoon full of the Egg/Coconut mixture and spoon over the Apricot Jam - bake for 12 - 15 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool in the pans - transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ginger Cookies

Really nice ginger cookies, these, which have come a long way and are favorites for holiday times. It's a large recipe, meant for summer Christmas holidays on the sea! Please note that the cookie dough needs a couple of hours rest time in the fridge before baking.

If you are South African you will know lovely, gorgeous Golden Syrup. You will also know that the vinegar is essential just like our Moms use to make them. I had to laugh at the amount, that is so typical. Thank you for this awesome recipe.

Read also: Moroccan Cookies

Here’s a simple recipe:

  1. Mix the golden syrup (or corn syrup), butter, eggs, vinegar, ginger, cinnamon and cloves in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar.
  2. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a bowl. Mix into the syrup-sugar mixture to make a dough or batter.
  3. Cover and put in fridge for a few hours.
  4. Heat oven to 200 deg C/400 deg F. Grease baking tins.
  5. Roll the dough between your palms into little balls the size of walnuts. Place these balls with space between them on greased baking tins.
  6. Press each cookie just slightly flatter with the tines of a fork.
  7. Bake about 12 - 15 mins or until nicely browned, in centre of oven.
  8. Cool slightly in the tins, then cool completely on wire racks. Keep in airtight tins.

West African Treats

Chin Chin

These West African cookies aren’t baked - they’re fried! These little cookies are very popular at celebrations in Nigeria, whether that be a particular party or just the celebration of a festive season (like Christmas!). They’re often served before or after other festive or celebratory dishes, like Jollof rice.

They can vary widely in taste, texture, color, and even shape. Some are quite hard and crunchy, while others are softer. Although the more traditional Chin Chin are the harder and crunchier ones, I’ve always liked mine to be just a little bit softer on the inside, while still crunchy on the outside.

For a more festive option, cut the dough into long strips instead of squares. You can fry these strips, and then dip them into chocolate sauce or your topping of choice. If you want to stick with the classic little squares, you can make a sort of coating by mixing together powdered sugar and vanilla. Chin Chin also makes a great gift: pour a batch into a nice jar, and tie it up with a ribbon.

Here’s a recipe to try:

Read also: Gourmet Cookie Guide

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. In a medium bowl, add the sugar and evaporated milk.
  2. Make a well in the flour mixture, then add the egg and the evaporated milk mixture.
  3. Lightly flour a work surface. Knead the dough until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
  4. Using a pastry cutter or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into ½-inch long strips. Then, cut across in the other direction to make small squares that are about ½-inch by ½-inch.
  5. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil to 360 degrees F. Pour the dough squares into the heated oil and stir continuously with a slotted spoon.
  6. Fry until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Take out of the oil and place on a paper towel.

Other African Cookie Recipes

Sweet Potato Cookies

Malawi is a small country in southeastern Africa that is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Malawi is a very poor country, but the people are know for their hospitality and friendliness. Malawi’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture.

Really, they are the perfect fall cookie, full of warm cinnamon and raisins accented by that robust sweet potato flavor.

Here's a delightful recipe:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix mashed sweet potatoes and melted butter.
  3. Add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well until a soft dough forms. Add the raisins and mix until incorporated.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead it a few times until the dough is solid enough to roll out.
  5. Roll the dough 1/2 inch thick and cut the cookies with a cookie cutter (heart shaped is traditional). Place the cut cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

*To make mashed sweet potatoes, peel and quarter a medium sweet potato (roughly 1/2 lb). Place it in a saucepan and cover it with water. Cover the pan and bring the water to a boil. Boil the peeled sweet potato for 30 minutes, or until easily pricked with a fork.

Spiced Sugar Cookies

This sugar & spice cookie is the perfect mix between a sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle. They are my family’s favorite and so addicting. There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh-baked cookies. These Spiced Sugar cookies are so good and easy to make. Chewy, not too sweet & buttery.

Read also: Baking with Chris Morocco

Follow these instructions:

  1. Melt butter and cool for 5 minutes. Combine sugar and spice mixture in a separate bowl, set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the cookie whisk attachment, beat together the melted butter, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, and the light brown sugar until combined.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Remove the whisk.
  4. Add in the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix with a spoon or spatula until well combined, but be sure not to over-mix.
  5. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Scoop a 2-3 heaping tablespoons of cookie dough at a time and roll into balls, then roll the balls in sugar & spice mix to coat.
  8. Place onto a large baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

How to Make Harissa Chicken : A North African Delight

Ghribiya Cookies

Yallah ! Ghribiya in North Africa, Ghorabieh غريبية in the Middle East or Montécaos in Spain, these little shortbread cookies came from the kitchen of Andulasia. These cookies are very economical, quick and easy to prepare yet are truly delightful on all celebratory tables. The recipe I'm using today comes from the ancient Andulasian cookbook called El Kitāb al Tabīkh by Ibn Razin al -Toujibi.

Chocolate Pepper Cookies

Here is a recipe for unique chocolate pepper cookies:

  1. Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate and set aside.
  2. Beat the butter until light and airy. Add the sugar and beat until completely incorporated into butter.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift or whisk the flour and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to to butter mixture little by little, until just incorporated.
  5. Mix the melted chocolate into the butter mixture. Stir in the remaining chopped chocolate and the ground pepper. Cover and refrigerate until dough is cool and firm.
  6. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or grease generously).
  7. Drop the batter by the tablespoonful onto the baking sheet, about 1 inch apart on sheet.

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tags: #Africa