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The Story of South African Koeksisters

A Sweet Delight: The Story of South African Koeksisters

Czarryy
South African Koeksisters are a traditional sweet treat made from braided dough that’s fried to a golden crisp and soaked in syrup. These syrup-soaked delights offer a crunchy exterior with a sticky, sweet interior and are perfect for tea time or special occasions. Whether you're exploring Afrikaner or Cape Malay variations, Koeksisters are a beloved part of South Africa’s culinary heritage.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine South African
Servings 12 Koeksisters

Equipment

  • Medium-sized pot for syrup
  • Mixing bowl
  • Frying pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Knife for cutting dough

Ingredients
  

Syrup:

  • 2 ½ cups 600 ml sugar
  • 240 ml water
  • 15 ml lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence

Dough:

  • 200 g flour
  • 2 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 20 g butter
  • 150 ml milk
  • Olive oil or other cooking oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Syrup:
    In a pot over medium heat, mix water and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
    Add lemon juice and vanilla essence. Mix well.
    Pour the syrup into a bowl and refrigerate until it’s very cold. For quick cooling, place the bowl over ice.
  • Prepare the Dough:
    In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
    Rub the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly.
    Gradually add milk while mixing to form a soft dough.
    Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes on a floured surface, then roll it out.Cut the dough into strips about 1 cm wide and braid them.
  • Fry the Koeksisters:
    Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
    Fry the braided dough for about 2 minutes or until golden brown.
    Drain excess oil from the fried dough.
  • Soak in Syrup:
    Immediately dunk the hot fried Koeksisters into the cold syrup. Repeat the process multiple times until they are well-soaked.
  • Chill and Serve:
    Let the Koeksisters chill for about 45 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge before serving

Notes

  • Cold Syrup: Always keep the syrup cold before dunking the hot Koeksisters. This ensures they absorb the syrup quickly while maintaining a crispy exterior.
  • Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled and paired with tea or coffee for a perfect balance of sweetness.
  • Storage: Store in the fridge for up to a week. Koeksisters can also be frozen for long-term storage.
Keyword South African Koeksisters