Koeksisters
“Sweet, sticky, braided doughnut-like pastries.”
Flour
Sugar
Yeast
Syrup
CinnamonWhere it comes from
Koeksisters are a popular South African dessert with Dutch roots, known for their sugary syrup coating.
On the Palate
How it's made
6 steps · Show ↓70 min active · 480 min waiting
How it's made
6 steps · Show ↓- 110 min
Combine sugar, water, ginger or cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- 210 min
Reduce heat and let the syrup simmer for 5-8 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then divide into two containers and refrigerate overnight.
- 310 min
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Rub in butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then add buttermilk to form a soft dough.
- 410 min
Knead the dough thoroughly on a lightly oiled surface, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest for 15 minutes.
- 515 min
Roll the dough to 5mm thickness, cut into strips, and plait them. Keep unused dough covered to prevent drying out.
- 615 min
Deep fry the plaited dough in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Immediately dip each piece into ice-cold syrup, ensuring it absorbs the syrup well.
Watch outEnsure the syrup is ice-cold before dipping; warm syrup won't be absorbed properly, leaving the koeksisters dry.
