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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

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FOOD PROVERBS

Super Thin and Crunchy Coconut Biscuits

Gurundi, a beloved Nigerian coconut biscuit or cookie, is crispy, light, and buttery.

If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make cookie recipe, you can't go wrong with the classic Nigerian Gurundi Crispy Coconut Biscuits. These biscuits or cookies are made with finely ground dried coconut flakes, a combination of butter and shortening for a perfect balance of richness and texture, eggs to bind the ingredients together, sugar for sweetness, baking soda to give them a light and airy texture, and coconut flour to enhance the coconut flavor. 

Thin and Crunchy Coconut Biscuits

Imagine biting into a warm, freshly baked cookie with a crispy exterior that gives way to a delightfully chewy center. As you savor the flavor, your taste buds are met with coconut's rich and tropical taste, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth. This delectable treat results from a carefully crafted recipe, using only the finest ingredients to ensure every bite is a heavenly experience.

Use desiccated coconut, not coconut flakes to ensure your recipe is perfect. Desiccated coconut is finely ground coconut, smaller and drier than shredded coconut. The fine texture looks like shaved ice rather than strips of coconut. 

Nigerian Gurundi Crispy Coconut Biscuit Cookie Ingredients and Directions

Ingredients

2 cups desiccated coconut

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup coconut flour


Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for an optimal baking surface.

Blend 2 cups of desiccated coconut and 1/2 cup of coconut flour in a bowl. This forms the foundation of your cookie's distinctive coconut texture.

In a separate mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1/2 cup of shortening until the mixture becomes smooth. 

Add 2 eggs to the butter-shortening mixture and incorporate them thoroughly. Gradually add 1 cup of sugar, beating the mixture until it is light and fluffy. 

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of baking soda into the bowl, incorporating it evenly. 

Gradually add the dry ingredients, desiccated coconut, and coconut flour to the wet mixture, ensuring a uniform dough forms. 

Scoop portions of the dough and roll them into balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Watch carefully to ensure the cookies reach the perfect level of crispiness.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This ensures they set crisply.

Thin and Crunchy Coconut Biscuits

Use desiccated coconut, not coconut flakes, for crispy and light Gurundi Nigerian coconut cookies.

History lesson: why cookies are called biscuits in Nigeria.

Nigeria was under British rule during the colonial period, and English became the official language. The British brought their culinary traditions, including using the term biscuit to refer to sweet baked goods. In British English, the term biscuit encompasses what Americans typically call cookies. When enjoying a delightful sweet snack, the classic Nigerian Gurundi Crispy Coconut Biscuit is more likely to be called a biscuit than a cookie in Nigeria.

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About the Author

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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

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To every mother of millet and miracles —
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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.