Pampoenkoekies with Spicy Peanut Caramel (Pumpkin Fritters)

I paired them with a spicy peanut butter caramel. Combining peanut butter and pumpkin (leaves) is very popular North of the border in my homeland Zimbabwe, so it made sense. We also like to make peanut butter stews mixed with other proteins like chicken or other vegetables like kale, often adding fresh chilies making for a rich balance of sweet and savoury.

Grew up eating the occasional fatcooks or voetkoeks - another version of the same mixed with maizemeal. Whether it's mandazi or hushpuppies, who doesn’t like fried dough?

Yield: 15

Author: Dontmissmyplate

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Pampoenkoekies with Spicy Peanut Caramel (Pumpkin Fritters)

I've made fritters before - check out my banana fritters recipe if you are looking for some more options! Consider this an update with fall in full swing and gourds in abundance. Pampoenkoekies (Afrikaans for pumpkin cookies) are pumpkin fritters, balls of fried dough made with pureed pumpkin, flour, egg, milk/cream and spices. They are a popular treat in South Africa as a tea time treat, dessert, or an appetizer.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 10 Mininactive time: 5 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

Fritters

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 4 cups peanut oil for deep frying
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup light cream
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

Spicy Peanut Caramel

• 1/4 cup butter (half a stick)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together with a whisk until well incorporated.
2. Heat the peanut oil on medium heat - you'll know it's ready if a drop of water sizzles. Use a cookie dough scoop to get the batter and fry in batches. The fritters are done when they float to the top and are golden brown. Move to paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
3. In a small saucepan for the caramel, heat all the ingredients except the peanut butter on low, whisking consistently for about 3-4 minutes. Add the peanut butter and whisk for another 3 minutes until smooth. Careful not to burn yourself!
4. Serve the fritters hot with icing sugar and the spicy peanut caramel.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

181

Fat (grams)

7.5

Carbs (grams)

26.6

Protein (grams)

3

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Cinnamon Sugar Banana Fritters

My memory of banana fritters is from when dessert was rolled out, typically on Friday afternoon, if I was staying late at junior school. You had the option to ladle them with warm custard or smother them with jam.

Banana fritters are eaten across the African continent and the Caribbean with a variation in ingredients, as well as other cultures. Given that bananas make the top 5 most eaten fruits in the world, like dough, it is no wonder everyone found a way to fry them up!

If you have kids, consider serving these fritters up with ice cream!