Koeksister Recipe

Koeksisters 

Koeksisters are a traditional South African pastry, similar to doughnuts but with a unique twist. They are deep-fried and then soaked in a sweet and sticky syrup, making them utterly irresistible. Here's a recipe to make these delicious treats,

They can be bought nearly anywhere in South Africa. not so easy to find elsewhere, except perhaps in shops selling SA products.  I made about 200 for our UK based church function and they were polished off before everything else.

The photo below is of Koeksisters made by a novice but were delicious, get you kids to help.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with plain yogurt or milk)

For the syrup:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 slice of fresh ginger (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

For frying:

• Vegetable oil for deep frying

Instructions:

For the dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg until well incorporated.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, until you have a soft and slightly sticky dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it gently for a minute or two until it's smooth.
• Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

For the syrup:

• In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, cinnamon stick, ginger (if using), and lemon zest.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Reduce the heat and let the syrup simmer for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool.

To assemble:

1. Roll the rested dough out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
2. Cut the dough into strips, about 4-5 inches long and 1 inch wide.
3. Make a lengthwise slit in the center of each strip, about halfway through the dough.
4. Take one end of the strip and thread it through the slit to create a twist or braided appearance.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot to about 180°C (350°F).
6. Fry the koeksisters in batches until they are golden brown and crispy. It should take about 3-4 minutes per batch.
7. Remove the fried koeksisters from the oil and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
8. While the koeksisters are still warm, dip them into the cooled syrup, (I like mine to be ice cold and I separate into 3 lots of syrup, 2 in the freezer, the hot pastry into the cold syrup means the syrup gets well absorbed) coating them completely.
9. Let the koeksisters sit in the syrup for a few minutes to absorb the sweetness and flavors.
10. Remove the koeksisters from the syrup and place them on a wire rack to cool and let the syrup set.

Serve the delicious Koeksisters ice cold as a delightful sweet treat, and enjoy their sticky and sugary goodness with friends and family. They are perfect for afternoon tea or as a special indulgence on any occasion!