East African Mandazi with Cardamom and Coconut Milk

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Light and fluffy fried doughnuts flavored with warm cardamom and enriched with creamy coconut milk, a beloved Kenyan snack perfect with tea. This African-inspired recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 15 min Serves 12 African cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup whole milk
2, beaten eggs
for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
Step 2: In another bowl, mix 1 cup coconut milk, 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 beaten eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.
Step 3: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 3-4 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares or diamonds.
Step 5: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep, heavy saucepan or fryer to 350°F. Fry the mandazi in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed.
Step 6: Drain on paper towels and serve warm with tea or coffee for a traditional Kenyan treat.