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Baba dudu
Baba dudu: dark chewy Yoruba caramel candy
Yoruba children of the 70s and 80s remember baba dudu, "the black one", bought for a coin from sweet sellers outside school gates in Ibadan and Abeokuta: sugar and butter cooked until almost black, then pulled and cut into small chewy pieces that taste of toffee and burnt caramel. It is easy to make at home, but hot sugar burns badly, so keep children away from the stove. The candy is a choking risk for small children and isn't suitable for under-1s. The mistake is taking it off the heat too early: pale caramel stays soft and sticky, so wait until it is the colour of strong tea and a drop sets firm in cold water. Chef's tip: oil your scissors and cut the strip while it is warm and pliable; once cold it shatters.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ oz butter
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vegetable oilfor the tray and scissors
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Oil a baking tray or marble slab with 1 tsp vegetable oil and have a bowl of cold water ready.
Step 2: Put 10 ½ oz granulated sugar and 4 tbsp water in a heavy pan over a medium heat and stir only until the sugar dissolves. Then stop stirring and let it bubble for 6–8 minutes until it turns amber.
8 minStep 3: Add 1 ¾ oz butter and 2 tbsp evaporated milk (it will splutter, so stand back) and stir with a long wooden spoon over a medium-low heat for 6–8 minutes, until very dark brown and thick. A drop in the cold water should set into a firm but chewy ball.
8 minStep 4: Pour onto the oiled tray and leave for 3–5 minutes until cool enough to touch with oiled hands but still soft.
5 minStep 5: Fold and pull it a few times, then roll it into a rope about 2 cm thick.
3 minStep 6: Snip into 2 cm pieces with oiled scissors while still warm. Wrap in baking paper once cold and keep airtight.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does baba dudu take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of granulated sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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