28 Aug South African Koeksisters

If you have a sweet tooth, then South African koeksisters are for you! This traditional sweet treat consists of deep-fried plaited dough, soaked in a ginger and cinnamon spiced sugar syrup – heavenly!

INGREDIENTS

For the syrup:

530ml water

800g sugar

Pinch of salt

2 ½ tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp ginger

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 cinnamon stick

For the dough:

300g self-raising flour

200g corn flour

Pinch of salt

50g unsalted butter

25g baking powder

1\4 cup sugar

200ml milk

50ml cream

2 eggs

Oil for frying

METHOD

For the syrup: (for best results, make the syrup a day before)

1. In a pan, heat the water. Add the sugar, salt, cream of tartar, ginger, lemon juice and cinnamon stick.
2. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.
3. Stir occasionally and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
4. Take off the heat and allow to cool, then place in the fridge overnight.

For the dough:

1. Sift the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix them together.
2. Add the milk, butter, eggs and cream, mixing it all together.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 20 minutes.
4. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
5. On a floured surface, roll the dough out (about 1 cm thick)
6. Cut into strips, thin strips and then short strips.
7. To plait, tuck three strands together at the top. Fold the outer strips over into the middle, repeating until you reach the end and tuck them together.

To fry:

1. Before frying, place the bowl of syrup in a larger bowl of ice to keep it well chilled.
2. Heat half a pot of oil to 180°C.
3. Deep fry 2 koeksisters at a time. When golden, transfer to the syrup using a slotted spoon, draining off as much oil as you can. Leave to soak in the syrup for a while.
4. Transfer the koeksisters to a cooling rack. Cool completely before eating.

And voilà! Your koeksisters are ready to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee!