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Photo:Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Active Time:20 minsTotal Time:45 minsServings:12 cookiesYield:12Jump to Nutrition Facts
Active Time:20 minsTotal Time:45 minsServings:12 cookiesYield:12
Active Time:20 mins
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:12 cookies
Servings:
12 cookies
Yield:12
Yield:
12
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Jump to recipe
Every January 1, Matthew and I welcome in the new year with aKwanzaacelebration atGilliard Farmsin Brunswick, Georgia. It’s a tradition Matthew started seven years ago. He chose New Year’s Day, the last day of the weeklong holiday, to celebrate Kwanzaa and reflect upon how its principles, called the Nguzo Saba, were applied over the previous year, as well as to set intentions for the upcoming year.
My first Kwanzaa celebration was on January 1, 2022, after we were married in 2021. I made our first batch of these Mbatata cookies, and they were a hit, so much so that they have become part of our yearly celebration menu.
Mbatata cookies are made with sweet potatoes and originated in Mawali. They are heart-shaped to represent the location of Malawi within the African continent—in the center and the heart of the land.
By having the community come help us plant and harvest at the farm, and having them donate their time, that’s ujima and ujamaa at work (collective responsibility and cooperative economics, respectively). The latter can be everything from foraging goldenrod, staghorn sumac and sunflowers for vases to decorate, to chopping and stacking wood for the fire pits to keep us warm.
Incorporating these principles into our everyday living has become second nature to us. We prioritize family and community throughout our life at the farm, the principles of unity and self-determination guide our daily lives and encourage us to collaborate with our communities—local and global—to make a positive impact. We started our businessStrong Roots 9shortly after we married, which grounds us in our beliefs in cooperative economics, and we are setting forth a path for future generations to continue as stewards of our beloved 50 acres.
Kwanzaa isn’t just a weeklong celebration for us; it’s a way of life that enriches us through experiences and brings Matthew and me closer to our heritage.
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients1/2cupmashedcooked sweet potatoes2tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil1cupall-purpose flour, plus more for rolling1/4cupbrown sugar2teaspoonsbaking powder1teaspoongroundcinnamon1/4teaspoonsalt1/4cupraisins3tablespoonstoasted coconut1/4cupdried fruits, such as cranberries or dates, chopped (optional)
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
1/2cupmashedcooked sweet potatoes
2tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
1cupall-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1/4cupbrown sugar
2teaspoonsbaking powder
1teaspoongroundcinnamon
1/4teaspoonsalt
1/4cupraisins
3tablespoonstoasted coconut
1/4cupdried fruits, such as cranberries or dates, chopped (optional)
DirectionsPreheat oven to 375°F.Combine sweet potato and oil in a large bowl. Add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix well until a soft dough forms. Add raisins and mix to combine (the dough will be crumbly).Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoTurn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead a few times and shape into a disk. Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick; cut cookies with a 2-inch cookie cutter (heart-shaped is traditional in Malawi). Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Re-roll and cut any remaining dough, until all the dough has been used. Top the cookies with coconut and (if using) dried fruit, lightly pressing to adhere.Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoBake until firm and slightly springy when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoTo make aheadStore airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.Equipment2-inch cookie cutterEatingWell.com, December 2023
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.Combine sweet potato and oil in a large bowl. Add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix well until a soft dough forms. Add raisins and mix to combine (the dough will be crumbly).Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoTurn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead a few times and shape into a disk. Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick; cut cookies with a 2-inch cookie cutter (heart-shaped is traditional in Malawi). Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Re-roll and cut any remaining dough, until all the dough has been used. Top the cookies with coconut and (if using) dried fruit, lightly pressing to adhere.Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoBake until firm and slightly springy when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoTo make aheadStore airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.Equipment2-inch cookie cutter
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine sweet potato and oil in a large bowl. Add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix well until a soft dough forms. Add raisins and mix to combine (the dough will be crumbly).
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead a few times and shape into a disk. Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick; cut cookies with a 2-inch cookie cutter (heart-shaped is traditional in Malawi). Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Re-roll and cut any remaining dough, until all the dough has been used. Top the cookies with coconut and (if using) dried fruit, lightly pressing to adhere.
Bake until firm and slightly springy when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make aheadStore airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To make ahead
Store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Equipment2-inch cookie cutter
Equipment
2-inch cookie cutter
EatingWell.com, December 2023
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)99Calories3gFat17gCarbs1gProtein
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
