Indulge in the Delight of Koeksisters: A South African Sweet Treat
Prep Time: 1 hour | Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes | Makes 12
Uncover the delectable world of koeksisters, the South African take on the classic doughnut. Each one intricately plaited, deep-fried, and coated in a heavenly sweet syrup. Delve into the fusion of flavors and textures that make this treat an irresistible delight.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories per serving: 448
- Allergens: May contain gluten, wheat, egg, sulphites, and milk.
Ingredients (11 in total):
- 3 cups (660g) caster sugar
- 4cm piece of ginger, sliced
- 1 cinnamon quill
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups (300g) cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 75g unsalted butter, chopped
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup (125ml) milk
- Sunflower oil for deep-frying
Method (4 Steps):
Step 1 – Syrup Creation To prepare the syrup, combine sugar, ginger, cinnamon, lemon juice, and 2 cups (500ml) water in a pan over medium heat. Allow it to simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer the syrup to a heatproof bowl and chill for a minimum of 2 hours.
Step 2 – Dough Preparation Combine flour, baking powder, and butter in a food processor, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add nutmeg, egg, milk, and a pinch of salt. Whiz until well combined. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 3 – Dough Shaping On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of 7mm. Cut it into twelve 10cm x 5cm rectangles. Then, cut 3 lines lengthwise into each rectangle, leaving a 1cm border at one end to hold the strips together. Plait the 3 strips and pinch the end to seal. Cover the formed koeksisters with a clean, damp tea towel.
Step 4 – Frying and Syrup Soaking Place the syrup bowl over iced water for optimum chilling. Heat sunflower oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 170°C. In batches, cook the doughnuts, turning, for approximately 3 minutes or until they achieve a dark golden color. Immediately soak the koeksisters in the chilled syrup for 1 minute, then drain them on a wire rack.
Get ready to savor the crispy, syrupy goodness of homemade koeksisters – a taste of South Africa in every bite!
