African Tea Buns (Mapakiwa)
Why I Love This Recipe
This buns are an authentic African dish, eaten with tea, they are a very common traditional breakfast, especially in Southern African. The buns are usually baked in a traditional three legged cast iron pot, where hot coals are put underneath the pot and on top of the lid of the pot and baked for some times.
The recipe brings warm memories of my childhood in Africa, and I'd just like to share with the rest of the world the happiness it brings me whenever I make it.
Ingredients You'll Need
500g plain flour
packet (35g) instant dry yeast
150g white sugar (more of less depending on how sweet you want them)
1/2 C margarine
1/2 tsp salt
Warm water
2 tbsp cooking oil
Dried fruits/ Raisins (optional)
Directions
Warm the oven
Sift together the flour, salt, and yeast.
Cut in the butter and rub it in with you fingers until it resembles a fine meal.
Add the sugar and mix well
Throw in the dried fruits/ raisins if using
Make a well in the middle and pour in the water (you can use milk too). Knead to a stiff dough that can form a dough ball
Leave near a warm place to rise, for about 30 minutes
Grease your baking tray with the oil, cut the dough into small balls and place in the baking tray.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 -25 minutes, until golden brown.
