Koeksisters

Discover the delightful South African treat with our Koeksisters recipe! Infused with ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of lemon, this sweet, syrupy pastry combines crispy, golden dough with a fragrant syrup for an irresistible dessert. Perfect for any occasion!

  • 17 Apr 2025
  • Cook time 130 min
  • Prep time 60 min
  • 10 Servings
  • 10 Ingredients

Koeksisters

Koeksisters are a traditional South African dessert known for their sweet, sticky, and aromatic flavor. These golden, deep-fried dough twists are soaked in a spiced syrup, making them a delectable treat that's perfect for any occasion. Follow this recipe to make your own delicious Koeksisters at home.

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
460g
1 tbsp ginger root
16g
1 cinnamon stick
3g
2 tbsp lemon juice
30g
2 cups all-purpose white wheat flour
250g
1 tsp baking powder
5g
1/3 cup butter
70g
1 tsp ground nutmeg
5g
1 egg
50g
1/2 cup milk (1% fat)
120g

Instructions:

1. Mix Ingredients:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, grated ginger, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, and water.
2. Boil and Simmer:
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Cool:
- Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a large, shallow dish and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or until well chilled. Chilled syrup helps achieve the signature crispness of Koeksisters.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and ground nutmeg.
5. Add Butter:
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
6. Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate small bowl, beat the egg and combine it with the milk.
7. Form Dough:
- Pour the egg-milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
8. Rest Dough:
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
9. Roll and Cut Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch (6mm) thickness.
- Cut the dough into rectangles approximately 4 inches by 2 inches (10cm by 5cm).
10. Shape Koeksisters:
- Divide each rectangle into three strips, leaving one end uncut to keep the strips connected.
- Braid the three strips together, and then press the ends to seal them.
11. Heat Oil:
- In a deep pan or fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Be cautious as hot oil can be dangerous.
12. Fry Koeksisters:
- Fry the braided dough pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels briefly.
13. Soak in Syrup:
- While still hot, immerse the fried koeksisters in the chilled syrup for a few seconds to soak.
- Remove and place them on a wire rack to drain any excess syrup.
14. Enjoy:
- Once cooled, your Koeksisters are ready to be enjoyed! They can be served as a delightful dessert or as a sweet treat with tea or coffee.

Tips:

- Make the syrup in advance.: Prepare the sugar syrup a day before and store it in the fridge. The cold syrup will help the fried koeksisters absorb more flavor.

- Use cold syrup.: Dip the hot, freshly fried dough pieces directly into cold syrup for the best results. This contrast in temperature is crucial for absorption and creating a crispy exterior.

- Keep the dough covered.: While working with the dough, keep the portions you are not currently shaping covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.

- Don’t overcrowd the oil.: Fry a few koeksisters at a time to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.

- Store properly.: Store koeksisters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage; just thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Koeksisters, a delightful South African treat that's sure to impress your family and friends. The combination of spiced syrup and soft, twisted dough creates a unique and irresistible dessert. Serve them fresh for the best experience!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size100 grams
Energy
Calories 350kcal17%
Protein
Protein 4.17g3%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 63g19%
Fiber 1.05g3%
Sugar 45g47%
Fat
Fat 7g9%
Saturated 3.71g12%
Cholesterol 40mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 70ug8%
Choline 24mg4%
Vitamin B1 0.09mg7%
Vitamin B2 0.05mg4%
Vitamin B3 0.44mg3%
Vitamin B6 0.04mg2%
Vitamin B9 11ug3%
Vitamin B12 0.12ug5%
Vitamin C 1.26mg1%
Vitamin E 0.09mg1%
Vitamin K 0.71ug1%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 60mg5%
Copper, Cu 0.07mg7%
Iron, Fe 0.51mg5%
Magnesium, Mg 13mg3%
Phosphorus, P 70mg6%
Potassium, K 80mg2%
Selenium, Se 7ug13%
Sodium, Na 63mg4%
Zinc, Zn 0.43mg4%
Water
Water 22g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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