Mahamri (Swahili Spiced Coconut Donuts)

Mahamri (Swahili Spiced Coconut Donuts) photo 1
12 servings25 min prep20 min cookMedium Kenya

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Mahamri (Swahili Spiced Coconut Donuts)

Story updated

Mahamri, a coconut-and-cardamom-spiced fried bread, comes from the Swahili coast's centuries-old blend of African, Arab, and Indian cooking, likely with bread-making techniques from Portuguese traders and spicing from Arab merchants. Especially associated with Mombasa's Old Town, it's a beloved breakfast and teatime snack across Kenya and Tanzania.

Ingredients

Scale:· 12 servings
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 1/4 cups coconut milk, warmed
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • Oil, for deep frying

Instructions

  1. 1Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and cardamom in a large bowl.
  2. 2Stir in warm coconut milk and melted butter and knead into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
  3. 3Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
  4. 4Punch down, roll out to 1/2-inch thickness, and cut into triangles.
  5. 5Let the shaped pieces rest, covered, for 20 minutes.
  6. 6Heat oil to 300°F (150°C) and fry the mahamri in batches until puffed and golden brown, 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally.
  7. 7Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

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