Fauzia's Kitchen Fun

Kokotende/Gulgul

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Kokotende/Gulgul

Kokotende/Gulgul are a delciious sweet snack, very similar to shakarparay but way yummier as far as I'm concerned. I think they originate from Zanzibar. The original name was Kokwa Za Tende, which is a swahili name that means date-seeds, but due to mispronounciation by the local indians, it got shortened to Kokotende and to-date that's what they are mostly known as.
Servings 50 Pieces

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 tbsp. fine semolina
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter
  • 3/4-1 cup milk/water or coconut milk
  • egg white optional
  • pinch of salt

Ingredients for Sheera

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • drop of vanilla
  • pinch of cardamom

Instructions
 

  • Knead together the ingredients to a dough, not too soft not too hard. Form tiny balls and shape using a fork, by pressing the tiny ball of dough on the back of a fork and rolling it away to give a perfect sea-shell shape. Then fry on low heat until golden and crispy. If you fry on too high heat, they will be soft on the inside, and you want these super crisp. So once the oil is hot enough, put them in and then immediately lower the heat and keep stirring, let them gradually colour up to a lovely golden brown. Drain and set aside then make the sugar coating.
    Sheera For Sugar Coating
    Boil until thick n sticky, add the fried kokwas n toss, then spread out on a pan to dry. Store in airtight container!

Join the Conversation

  1. Turned out really good.
    Just a suggestion, I added a tablespoon of coconut powder.
    Thanks for all the amazing recipes. Also tried the rosettes, looks elegant.

    1. W/Salaam, SR flour will have too much baking powder, more than what is required for this recipe.

  2. Salam can u plz let me know how long can I store them in the room temperature. Jazakallah in advance

  3. salam fauzia mashaallah i lyk ua website it s da best mashaallah so can i use blueband instd of butter?

  4. aslm alkm,mashaalah,tried ths recipy n turned out delicious.may allah reward for for this.pls would u give the recipy for mitais with sugar coating n coconut.

  5. hai dear….can u tel me which flour i hav 2 use 4 dis?and tel me vats da difference btveen cake flour &bread flour….???

  6. Hi, cake flour has 2 tbsp of cornflour added to every cup of flour which makes the flour light and airy, good for cakes. Bread flour is just a stronger type of flour most commonly used for breads.

  7. salamz ukhty Fauzia! hope your ok inshallah! I really love your website mashallahh! thank you for the recipes! quick question on the kokotende. Is it ok if i just use all purpose flour instead of semolina or is there a substitute that is better that i can use instead? shukran

    1. W/Salaam, thank you dear. Well you can omit the semolina but it does add a good crunchy texture to the results. If you can get it I would recommend you do, otherwise simply omit it from the ingredients. 🙂

  8. salaamz aunt fauzia,
    salaamz aunt fauzia, mashallah i realy love your recipes! alhamdulilah i always try and turnsout good! kokotende looks so yummy but mine dint turnout the same and after frying became hard but taste was good,wht must be the reason,please may i kno the reason?thanks alot!God bless you!

    1. W/Salaam, thanks. Did you fry
      W/Salaam, thanks. Did you fry them too long? That might be the cause of the hardness. 🙂

  9. assalamu alaikum. what
    assalamu alaikum. what exactly is semolina? I live in Mombasa; does it have a Swahili name? May Allah reward you all for this website, ameen.

    1. W/Salaam, it is known by the
      W/Salaam, it is known by the asian name Sooji in mombasa. You will find it at the asian/indian shops near the market area. Like at Pattani next to the Hindu temple. 🙂

  10. Salam walykum fauzia, I love
    Salam walykum fauzia, I love kokotende could you please show me step by step.

    1. W/Salaam, will try and add
      W/Salaam, will try and add step by step instructions but it is really easy if you just read the steps as directed.

  11. Assalamualaikum Sister
    Assalamualaikum Sister

    Can I add suger in the dough. I m not a big fan of suger syrup.

    1. W/Salaam, have never tried a
      W/Salaam, have never tried a sweeter dough for this recipe, you could try and then let me know how it turns out. 🙂

  12. Salams! I’d like to know if I
    Salams! I’d like to know if I can fry these,add salt &chilli? For a spicy version or any other suggestions please…..
    Making a lot of dua for you.for sharing the best recipes ever!!!

    1. W/Salaam, sounds like a great
      W/Salaam, sounds like a great idea! Let me know how they turn out.

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