Nigerian Chin Chin Delight
Nigerian Chin Chin Delight is a beloved traditional cookie that my mother and I have perfected over the years. Hailing from the vibrant culinary culture of Nigeria, these crunchy, sweet treats are perfect for festive occasions or as an anytime snack. The unique blend of spices and flavors, combined with a buttery richness, makes these cookies utterly irresistible. Trust me, every time I serve these at family gatherings and celebrations, they disappear within minutes, leaving everyone asking for the recipe. Experience the joy of making this delightful treat from scratch and share it with your loved ones for an unforgettable treat.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
5 cups (Sifted)
Large eggs
3 (Beaten)
'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter'
9 tablespoons (Softened)
Water
1/4 cup (Room temperature)
Salt
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Sugar
1 1/3 cups (N/A)
Canola oil
1/2 gallon (For deep frying)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by heating the canola oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes. Once you’re ready to fry, lower the heat to low for 5 minutes to prevent the cookies from burning.
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2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Add the sugar and mix thoroughly.
3
3. Incorporate the 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' into the flour mixture, using your hands or a pastry cutter until well-blended and crumbly.
4
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and water. Add this mixture to the flour mixture and knead well for about 1 minute until you achieve a smooth dough ball. For sticky dough, gently mix in a tiny amount of the dry flour mixture instead of plain flour to ensure flavor and texture.
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5. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This step is optional but helps make the dough easier to handle, ensuring beautifully shaped cookies.
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6. Once chilled, remove the dough from the fridge and divide it into four equal parts, covering the remaining dough to prevent it from drying out.
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7. Roll out one part of the dough into a rectangle or square shape on a floured surface. Use a rolling pin dusted with flour as well.
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8. Cut the rolled dough into 2-inch wide strips and then slice them diagonally to form diamond shapes. Pinch a small hole in the middle of each diamond and twist to create a traditional chin chin shape. Alternatively, for simpler squares, roll thinner strips and cut into uniform squares.
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9. As you prepare the chin chin for frying, monitor the oil's heat, ensuring it remains at the correct temperature. You should fry only a few pieces at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan. It takes about 3 to 4 minutes for the chin chin to achieve a golden brown color.
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10. If the chin chin is browning too quickly, lower the oil temperature and let it cool before attempting again. Once fried, drain on paper towels and continue with the rest of the dough.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nigerian Chin Chin Delight?
It is a beloved traditional Nigerian cookie that is crunchy, sweet, and buttery, often served at festive occasions.
What are the primary ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include all-purpose flour, large eggs, butter substitute, sugar, nutmeg, baking powder, and canola oil.
How long should you heat the oil for frying?
Heat the canola oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes.
Why should the heat be lowered before frying?
Lower the heat to low for 5 minutes before frying to prevent the cookies from burning.
What is the first step in preparing the dry ingredients?
Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg, then mix in the sugar.
How do you incorporate the butter substitute?
Mix it into the flour mixture using your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
How do you prepare the wet ingredients?
Whisk together the eggs and room temperature water in a separate bowl.
How long should I knead the dough?
Knead the mixture for about 1 minute until you achieve a smooth dough ball.
What should I do if my dough is too sticky?
Gently mix in a tiny amount of the dry flour mixture instead of plain flour to maintain flavor and texture.
Is it necessary to refrigerate the dough?
It is optional but recommended to refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
How should I divide the dough for rolling?
Divide the dough into four equal parts and cover the remaining portions to prevent them from drying out.
How do you roll out the Chin Chin dough?
Roll it into a rectangle or square shape on a floured surface using a floured rolling pin.
What are the dimensions for cutting the strips?
The dough should be cut into strips that are approximately 2 inches wide.
How do you create the traditional diamond shape?
Slice the 2-inch strips diagonally to form diamonds, then pinch a hole in the middle and twist.
Can I make simpler shapes?
Yes, you can roll thinner strips and cut them into uniform squares for a simpler version.
How many pieces should I fry at one time?
Fry only a few pieces at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensuring even cooking.
What is the frying time for Chin Chin?
It typically takes about 3 to 4 minutes for the chin chin to achieve the desired color.
What color indicates the cookies are done?
The Chin Chin should be fried until they reach a beautiful golden brown color.
What if the Chin Chin is browning too quickly?
Lower the oil temperature and let it cool slightly before attempting to fry the next batch.
How do I remove excess oil after frying?
Once fried, drain the Chin Chin on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
What type of oil is recommended for this recipe?
Canola oil is used for deep frying in this specific recipe.
How much flour is required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 5 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How many eggs are used?
You will need 3 large eggs, which should be beaten before being added to the dough.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/3 cups of sugar.
What spice gives Chin Chin its unique flavor?
Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon) is used to provide the unique flavor profile.
How much butter substitute is needed?
The recipe uses 9 tablespoons of softened 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter'.
What is the amount of baking powder used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
Is water used in the dough?
Yes, 1/4 cup of room temperature water is mixed with the eggs.
Can these be made in advance?
Yes, they are a great make-ahead snack for celebrations and family gatherings.
What is the serving suggestion for Chin Chin?
They are best served as a snack or dessert for festive occasions and are a hit at any gathering.