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.

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 24

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

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2

Cut the butter into small cubes and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Divide the rested dough into four portions. Roll each portion out on a floured surface to about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thickness.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Heat vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 170°C (340°F). Ensure there is enough oil to fully submerge the koeksisters.

Step 10

Fry the braided dough in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pot.

Step 11

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.

Step 12

Serve the koeksisters once completely cooled. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3079.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	13826.7

Total Fat 1080.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 186.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 372.4mg	0%
Sodium 4344.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1103.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g	0%
Total Sugars 712.0g
Protein 65.4g	0%

Vitamin D 145.8IU	0%
Calcium 391.3mg	0%
Iron 24.3mg	0%
Potassium 921.3mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.5%

Protein: 1.8%

Carbs: 30.7%