Koeksisters
Indulge in the sweet, golden perfection of traditional South African koeksisters—an irresistible treat that masterfully combines crispy fried dough with a luscious spiced syrup. These braided delights are crafted from a soft, buttery dough laced with milk and gently kneaded to perfection. Once fried to a beautiful golden brown, they’re immediately dunked into an aromatic chilled syrup infused with a hint of cinnamon, ginger, and zesty lemon for a uniquely flavorful twist. Perfectly crispy on the outside and decadently syrupy on the inside, koeksisters are a must-try for anyone craving a taste of authentic South African cuisine. Whether served as a dessert or an indulgent snack with tea, these syrup-soaked pastries are guaranteed to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 75 grams unsalted butter
- 200 milliliters full cream milk
- 1 large egg
- 500 milliliters water
- 700 grams granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 liter vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cut the butter into small cubes and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg. Gradually add this wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, prepare the syrup by combining water, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and ginger in a medium saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Bring the syrup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then chill it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Divide the rested dough into four portions. Roll each portion out on a floured surface to about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thickness.
Cut the dough into strips approximately 10 cm (4 inches) long and 2 cm (3/4 inch) wide. Braid three strips together to form a plait, pinching the ends to secure them.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 170°C (340°F). Ensure there is enough oil to fully submerge the koeksisters.
Fry the braided dough in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pot.
Immediately after frying, submerge the hot koeksisters into the chilled syrup for a few seconds. Allow them to soak up the syrup, then transfer them to a wire rack to drain excess syrup.
Serve the koeksisters once completely cooled. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
584 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.9 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.8 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 178 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46.3 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.6 g | ||
| Protein | 2.8 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 17 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 35 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
