Chin-Chin: African Deep-Fried Cookies
🕒 Cook Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
🍪 Yield: 48 cookies
🥘 Category: Dessert
🔍 Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, African, Weeknight, Deep Fried, < 4 Hours
Description:
Way back in high school in my Home Economics class, we made these African cookies. I just found the recipe again digging through an old box. I remember them being delicious, and I hope you’ll find them the same.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 cups | Flour |
| 1/3 cup | Sugar |
| 2 tsp | Baking powder |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1/4 cup | Milk |
| 1/4 cup | Butter |
| – | Confectioners’ sugar |
Instructions:
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Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking powder.
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Mix wet ingredients: Stir in the egg and milk until the mixture becomes crumbly.
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Incorporate butter: With your hands, work in the butter until the mixture is well blended.
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Rest the dough: Let the dough stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
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Heat the oil: In a heavy skillet over medium heat, heat 1 inch of oil to 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius).
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Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured board with a floured rolling pin, roll out half of the dough to a thickness of 1/16 inch.
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Cut into diamonds: Using a pastry cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into 3 x 2 inch diamond shapes.
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Create slits: Make a slit in the center of each diamond and pull one end through the slit, forming a twisted shape.
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Repeat the process: Repeat the cutting and shaping process with the remaining dough until it is all used.
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Fry the cookies: Fry a few pieces at a time in the hot oil until they turn a beautiful golden color.
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Drain and cool: Remove the fried cookies from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Allow them to cool completely.
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Sprinkle with sugar: Once cooled, sprinkle the Chin-Chin cookies generously with confectioners’ sugar for a delightful sweetness.
These delightful Chin-Chin cookies bring the flavors of Africa to your kitchen, offering a crispy, sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee, or share them with friends and family for a taste of nostalgia and culinary adventure!
