Mbatata (Malawian Sweet Potato Cookies)

Sweet potatoes (mbatata in Malawian) are also common in the Malawian cuisine. They are used in preparing futali, mbatata pudding, and mbatata cookies and vegetable relish called ndiwo.

These cookies are mildly sweet, nutritious, and have a soft, spongy texture unlike regular cookies. They are somewhat a cross between scones and biscuits.

These naturally sweetened cookies can be had as a snack, dessert or even at breakfast. Traditionally, Malawians have it as a snack.

Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest tuber crops. The flesh of the sweet potato ranges from white to yellow to orange and in some cases even purple or pink. These mildly sweet starchy vegetables hold a good amount of fibers, vitamins and minerals.

The orange-fleshed ones have the highest amount of beta-carotene, an antioxidant needed to convert vitamin A to be properly absorbed by the body.

It is said that the higher the intensity of the yellow or orange colors, the higher the value of the nutritional content in it.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

1 cup mashed sweet potato (about 2 sweet potatoes)

1 1/4 cup all purpose sifted flour

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

4 Tablespoons melted butter

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE MBATATA (MALAWIAN SWEET POTATO COOKIES)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix sweet potatoes milk, egg, and melted butter in a bowl and beat together. Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Drop by the spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes Or you can chill the dough for an hour and roll out on a floured surface

Use a heart shaped cookie cutter and place on a greased baking sheet.. Bake for 15 minutes

You can garnish with some cinnamon and sugar if desired.

HERE ARE MORE RECIPES YOU CAN ENJOY TOO

MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE,BUT BY EVERY WORD(JESUS) THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.kjv