🍲 **Half Cakes (Ngumu) 🥞**

These delightful Kenyan street food treats, known as half cakes or ngumu, are soft and crunchy on the outside, making them a perfect snack for any time of day. Enjoyed throughout East Africa, these cakes are not only delicious but also incredibly filling.

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🌍 **What Is Half Cake?**

Half cakes are a popular street food in Kenya, often enjoyed as a quick snack or breakfast item. Their unique texture and flavor come from a simple mixture of flour, sugar, and a few other ingredients, making them a beloved choice among locals and visitors alike.

🧾 **Ingredients**

**Base:**

- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

- ½ cup sugar

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 tsp baking powder

- ½ tsp baking soda

- ½ cup margarine

- 1 tsp vanilla essence

- 1 cup milk

**Optional:**

- Additional all-purpose flour for dusting

- Cooking oil for deep frying

👩‍🍳 **Step-by-Step Instructions**

1. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients:**

- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of sugar, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of baking powder, and ½ tsp of baking soda.

- Whisk the ingredients together until well combined.

2. **Incorporate Margarine:**

- Add ½ cup of margarine to the dry mixture.

- Use your hands to rub the margarine into the flour until it resembles small clumps.

3. **Add Wet Ingredients:**

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- Gradually pour in 1 cup of milk while mixing with your fingertips.

- Ensure you reach the bottom of the bowl to fully combine the wet and dry ingredients.

4. **Knead the Dough:**

- Once combined, knead the dough for about 2 minutes in the bowl.

- Transfer the dough to a countertop and knead for an additional minute.

- The dough should be firm but not sticky; if it is sticky, sprinkle in more flour as needed.

5. **Roll Out the Dough:**

- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness that is neither too thin nor too thick.

6. **Cut the Half Cakes:**

- Use a knife to mark and cut the dough into medium squares.

7. **Heat the Oil:**

- In a frying pan, heat enough cooking oil over medium heat.

- To check if the oil is ready, drop in a small piece of dough; if it bubbles, the oil is ready for frying.

8. **Fry the Half Cakes:**

- Carefully place the cut dough squares into the hot oil.

- Cook for about 1 ½ minutes on one side, then flip to cook the other side until golden brown.

- Adjust the heat as necessary to ensure the inside cooks thoroughly without burning the outside.

9. **Drain Excess Oil:**

- Once cooked, remove the half cakes from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

🍽️ **How to Serve**

Serve the half cakes warm as a snack or breakfast item. They can be enjoyed plain or with a side of your favorite dipping sauce.

💡 **Pro Tips**

- Ensure the oil is not too hot to prevent the outside from cooking too quickly while leaving the inside raw.

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- Experiment with different flavorings by adding spices or citrus zest to the dough for a unique twist.

🔥 **Why You’ll Love This**

These half cakes are not only easy to make but also incredibly satisfying. Their soft interior and crunchy exterior, combined with the delightful hint of vanilla, create a delicious treat that will have you coming back for more. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, these cakes are sure to impress!