African yams have so much diversity. One minute, they are chocolate yam cookies, the next minute, they are pounded yam. Whatever the case is, I find this delicious ingredient is a serious sleep inducer. It must be the high carbohydrate content that sends little sleep fairies to your eyes. As much as you try, you can never win the sleep battle with yam.
That little detail however was not present in this recipe. I wonder;
“Is the format of consumption responsible for the sleep inducing factor?”
If you are new to West African or Nigerian Cuisine, African yams are typically consumed in a few acceptable formats. These are; boiled yam, fried yam, pounded yam, roasted yam and occasionally a battered version called Yamarita. So far these other versions leave you feeling heavy and fulfilled which translates to sleep. However, when I baked these cookies, the reverse was the case. if you are a food scientist and can explain, please leave a comment down below and let’s learn from you.
RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE YAM COOKIES
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup of Mashed Yam
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Sweetened Cocoa Powder
Method
Mash your yam with the melted butter and salt.
Mix together, then add baking powder and brown sugar and mix.
Then add cocoa powder and flour and mix till a dough is formed.
Roll out the dough and cut cookies into desired shapes.
In a preheated oven of 350F, place your cookies in a greased baking pan and bake for 10 – 12 minutes.
Take out cookies and allow to cool.
You may drizzle extra chocolate on your chocolate yam cookies and grate some orange zest over them.
Serve with a side of coffee or tea or on its own.
