Dabo Kolo

The story

Dabo Kolo is a Ethiopian dessert with a clear sense of place. Dabo kolo literally evokes small pieces of bread and is a familiar Ethiopian crunchy snack. Versions can be plain, spiced, sweetened or fried rather than baked. The recipe below keeps the defining ingredients and technique intact while giving practical metric quantities and enough detail for a home cook to judge texture, seasoning and doneness rather than simply follow a timer.

Ingredients

• 350 g plain flour
• 45 g caster sugar
• 4 g fine salt
• 0.5 tsp berbereoptional for a warm savoury edge
• 0.5 tsp ground cardamom
• 35 ml neutral oil
• 150 ml waterapproximately

Method

1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, cardamom and optional

   Mix flour, sugar, salt, cardamom and optional berbere. Rub in the oil until the flour feels evenly moistened.

   Look for: the flour feels evenly moistened Tip: Cut smaller than you think: the pleasure is in handfuls of tiny crisp pieces rather than large biscuits. Avoid: Large uneven pieces stay doughy inside; sealing before full cooling traps moisture; high heat browns before drying.

2. Add water gradually and knead into a

   Add water gradually and knead into a firm dough. Rest covered 15 minutes; a stiff dough is easier to cut into the tiny traditional shapes.

3. Roll portions into thin ropes about 8

   Roll portions into thin ropes about 8 mm thick. Cut into very small 8–10 mm pieces, keeping them similar in size so they bake evenly.

4. Spread in a single layer on baking

   Spread in a single layer on baking trays. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes, stir thoroughly, then bake another 10–15 minutes.

5. Reduce the oven to 150°C if they

   Reduce the oven to 150°C if they are browning before becoming crisp through the centre. They should dry as much as they colour.

6. Cool completely before storing airtight

   Cool completely before storing airtight. The pieces become noticeably crunchier once all residual steam has escaped.

   Look for: A cooled piece snaps cleanly and is dry all the way through with no soft centre.

Nutrition

per serving

Estimated from the listed ingredients and default serving size. Actual values vary with brands, trimming, absorption and cooking losses.