Involve the Children in Making These Crunchy Coconut Cookies

Ghana, being a tropical country like most African countries, is awash with coconuts.  Most households have at least one coconut tree in them.  In fact, I am right now facing a coconut tree laden with fruit as I sit and write outside.  Here is a coconut and cinnamon cookies recipe which is so easy to make and loved by children and adults alike.  Involve the children in making this one!

Difficulty and servings:

Easy, Serves 6: makes @ 24 cookies 

Preparation and Cooking times

Preparation time: 30 minutes: Cooking time: 30 minutes

You will need:

200g hard coconut flesh, dark back removed and finely grated

300g plain flour

140g caster sugar

A pinch of salt

2½ tsp baking powder

40g margarine

60 ml oil

1 tbs cinnamon

1 tsp mixed spice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

 Method:

1. Crack the coconut open and use a small knife to gently and safely remove the hard dark coating on the back of the coconut flesh.  Rinse, grate and set aside.
2. Sift the flour into a large bowl and add sugar, salt and baking powder.  Rub the margarine, oil, grated coconut, cinnamon, mixed spice and nutmeg into the flour mixture .
3. Bind the mixture together to form a firm dough.  Roll with a rolling pin and use a cutter or tip of a clean glass to cut the pieces. It should yield around 24 pieces.  
4. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 ^o Celsius, (350°F) Gas Mark 4  for  about  20 minutes  or  until golden brown.  Serve with tea or a preferred beverage.

Monica’s Tip 

If children are making this recipe,   please assist them to remove the hard coating on the back of the coconut (Method 1). If you don’t live in a hot country, you may still get coconuts in your local supermarket or suggest it to them to stock them!

I would like to know how you get on when you make these Coconut Cookies.  Please drop me a line with your pictures, if possible, through www.africaonyourplate.simplesite.com

Happy entertaining!

 
Monica Serwah Busia