literally the stuff of legends in our family. this zanzibari snack is worth the effort, and my recipe nanima approved. take care to cook them properly, as they can be a bit doughy and heavy if underdone inside.

kokotende

Makes around 40 (they’re only 2 bites each!)

Ingredients

Dough:

250g plain flour

50g unsalted butter

50g fine semolina

1 tsp baking powder

1/2-3/4 tsp ground cardamom

3/4 tsp salt

150g coconut milk (the canned stuff, full fat!)

 

Sugar coating:

250g sugar

125g water

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 

  1. weigh the flour into a bowl and rub in the butter, to breadcrumb stage. either by hand, or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

  2. Mix in the rest of the dry ingredients: the semolina, salt, cardamom and baking powder.

  3. Add the coconut milk and mix to soft dough. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and refrigerate for half an hour.

  4. Divide into 12-13g portions and shape. I roll into balls, flatten by hand and then roll into a cigar shape. if you have, use a gnocchi board (or bread proving basket or other ridged flat surface!) and flatten the balls of dough onto the ridges before rolling up, this creates more surface area for the coating!

  5. Fry immediately at 160C for around 10mins. they should be deep golden brown and cirsp. Drain on kitchen paper.

  6. Once all the dough is fried, make the syrup: put all of the ingredients in a heavy based pan. Heat gently to dissolve then boil to 130C.

  7. Once the syrup reaches the required temperature, add the fried cookies and stir / shake gently to coat. Don’t stir too much or the sugar will crystallise before it coats the cookies fully. once coated, Stir a bit more, until the sugar crystallises to form an even, crisp, opaque layer of sugar around the cookie.

  8. Tip onto a lightly oiled wire rack and separate them carefully as they cool - they will be very hot. let them cool completely before tucking in - so they don’t burn you but also so that the coating sets properly!

These keep well in an airtight container for a week. good luck not finishing them on day one though.