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Shuku shuku
Shuku shuku: Yoruba baked coconut balls bound with egg yolk
In old Lagos bakeries and in Yoruba homes before Christmas and Eid, shuku shuku are rolled by the tray: grated coconut and sugar bound with egg yolks and a little flour, rolled in more flour and baked until the outside is golden and crunchy and the middle stays chewy and sweet. Children snack on them after school and they keep well in a tin for visitors. Contains egg, coconut and wheat. The mistake is baking them on a high heat so they colour before the centre sets; a moderate oven gives an even, toasty crust. Chef's tip: freshly grated coconut gives the moistest balls, but if you use desiccated, soak it in 4 tablespoons of warm milk or water for 10 minutes first.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 7 oz desiccated coconutor 300 g freshly grated
- 3 ½ oz caster sugar
- 1 ¾ oz self-raising flourplus 3 tbsp for rolling
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp warm wateronly if using desiccated coconut
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan) and line a tray with baking paper. If using desiccated coconut, mix it with 4 tbsp warm water and leave for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Mix 7 oz desiccated coconut, 3 ½ oz caster sugar, 3 egg yolks, ½ tsp vanilla extract and 50 g of 1 oz self-raising flour into a firm, sticky mixture that holds when pressed.
3 minStep 3: Roll walnut-sized balls between damp hands, then roll each one in the rest of ⅔ oz self-raising flour and set them on the tray.
5 minStep 4: Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and firm to the touch on the outside.
25 minStep 5: Cool on the tray; they crisp as they cool. Store in an airtight tin for up to a week.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does shuku shuku take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of self-raising flour?
- Plain flour + 2 tsp baking powder per 150g (1 cup).
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