Koeksisters: South Africa’s Delicate Dessert
If you’ve been living under a rock your entire life you probably would have never tried a koeksister.
These little, local, lekkers are a combination of the best things in life.
Deep fried. Sugar. Carbs.
Nothing beats that combination and quite frankly, not much beats a koeksister on any given day.
Today we’re diving into a decent recipe for these bad boys.
I hope you brought your sweet tooth.
Classic Koeksisters (Serves 4)
Ingredients for Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3/4 cup milk
Ingredients for Syrup:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground cloves
The Process
- Syrup Prep: Start by making the syrup since it needs to be cold. Combine sugar, water, lemon juice, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat, cool, and then refrigerate until cold.
- Dough Time: In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the cubed butter and use your fingers to mix it into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add milk to form a soft dough. Knead lightly.
- Roll & Braid: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into strips, then braid or twist them.
- Fry to Perfection: Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pan to 375°F (190°C). Fry the koeksisters until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Syrupy Dunk: Immediately dunk the hot koeksisters into the cold syrup for a few seconds, ensuring they’re well coated. Remove and allow excess syrup to drip off.
- Cool & Serve: Place them on a wire rack to cool a bit before serving. They’re best enjoyed slightly warm or at room temperature.
And there you have it—a sugary, twisty delight that’s bound to be a hit. While I get the virtual kitchen prepped to show you what these beauties look like, let’s remember: moderation is key (but a little extra syrup never hurt anyone).
Speaking of which, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty: nutritional info for these syrupy spirals of joy is a bit on the indulgent side. While I don’t have the exact numbers (since they can vary based on how generous you are with the syrup), you’re looking at a treat that’s rich in carbs, sugar, and a fair amount of fat from the frying process.
Give it a bash!
Let us know how it turned out.
