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Mbatata (Malawian Sweet Potato Cookies)

Yield: 1 dozen (3 inch) heard cookies

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: African

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mashed sweet potatoes *
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 c unbleached all purpose flour
  • ¼ c brown sugar, loosely packed
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ c raisins

Instructions

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  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.**
  4. Add the raisins and mix until incorporated.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead it a few times until the dough is solid enough to roll out.
  6. 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. Re-roll and cut any remaining dough, until all the dough has been used.
  7. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, until firm and slightly springy when touched.
  8. Remove the cookies from oven and let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
  9. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet to finish cooling on a wire rack.

Notes

  • *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. Once cooked, drain and mash the potato with an electric hand mixer, until smooth.
  • You will need ½ cup of mashed sweet potatoes for 1 dozen cookies.
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  • **Depending on the moisture level of your mashed sweet potatoes, you may need to add a little water (or water from boiling the sweet potatoes) to your dough to achieve a good consistency.