Indulge in a Sweet South African Tradition: Koeksisters Recipe and Story

by Charne Adams
"Koeksisters don't count as carbs or sugars, Koeksisters count as heritage, as culture, as family and history." Wilbur Smith (South African, Zambian-born) novelist.
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Experience the Sweet Magic of South African Koeksisters

Imagine a warm South African breeze, the gentle kiss of the sun on your skin, and the alluring scent of freshly made koeksisters filling the air – there's nothing quite like indulging in this beloved treat. Koeksisters, pronounced as "cook sisters," are a quintessential South African delight that's irresistibly sweet, sticky, crunchy, and drenched in a fragrant syrup infused with the flavors of cinnamon, lemon, and ginger. These delightful morsels are perfect for any time of day, whether it's a mid-morning snack, a cozy tea-time treat, or even a sweet start to your day. Let's dive into the heart and soul of South African cuisine and learn how to make these mouthwatering koeksisters!

 

Koeksisters: A South African Sweet Tradition

The name "koeksister" has its origins in the Dutch word "koekje," which means "cookie," and "sissen" or sizzle. These sweet treats take a dip in hot oil, and you know that sizzling sound it makes when you dunk that warm pastry into the chilled sugar syrup? Well, that's the sizzle that adds to the magic of these delectable delights.
However, these South African delights are far from your average cookie. There are two popular variations of koeksisters. The Afrikaner version is crisper, syrupy and usually braided while the Cape Malay version is softer and cake-like, spicier and rolled in coconut. But today, we'll focus on the Afrikaner version, which is sticky, braided, and irresistibly crunchy, all generously drenched in a heavenly syrup infused with a symphony of flavors.
These delectable pastries have secured their place in South African hearts and are commonly found on bustling street corners and in local supermarkets. Koeksisters are a true indulgence, perfect for celebrating birthdays, holidays, or simply creating a special occasion – because, let's be honest, they're worth it. Plus, making them can be a fun family activity, especially if you have little ones eager to lend a hand.
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Ingredients for Koeksisters

Before we dive into the cooking process, let's gather the ingredients for these mouthwatering koeksisters:

Spicy Syrup:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice (half a lemon)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup water

Dough:

  • 1 cup corn flour (100 grams)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 25 grams melted butter
  • Oil for deep frying (sunflower oil)

 

Let's Get Cooking!

Now that we have our ingredients ready, it's time to create the magic of South African koeksisters. Follow these simple steps:

1. Start by making the spicy syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream of tartar, salt, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and the cinnamon stick. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Stir the syrup occasionally. Once done, let it cool and refrigerate it until you're ready to use it.  

2. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients for the dough – corn flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, and baking powder.

3. Then, add the wet ingredients: milk, egg, and melted butter. Knead the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined, and then let the dough rest for about 30 minutes. (Cover with clingfilm and leave to rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 5 hours.)


 4. Place the dough on a board and roll it out to a thickness of about 1 cm.

5. Using a knife, cut the dough into rectangles of 15 cm x 6 cm.

6. Cut each of these lengthways into 3 strips, leaving one side uncut. (Do not cut all the way through, leave the strips connected at the top). See image below. 

 

7. Stretch the dough pieces out carefully until they are of an even thickness throughout.

8. Take the left strand and cross it over the middle strand, then do the same with the right strand. Tightly pinch the ends together, and tuck them under to secure and seal the braid pattern. (If you skip this step, your braid will come undone when you place the dough in the hot oil.)

9. In a large saucepan, pour vegetable oil until it's at least 3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 160 °C. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a small amount of batter into it. If the batter rises to the top, the oil is ready. If not, wait a bit longer.

10. Carefully place the braided koeksisters in the hot oil. Fry them for a few minutes until the bottom side is golden brown.

11. Turn them over and fry for a few more minutes until both sides are beautifully golden brown.

12. Use a large spoon or a utensil to remove them from the oil, and drain quickly.

13. Then place them directly into the prepared syrup. (The secret is to keep the syrup cold and the koeksisters hot, this way it will draw just the right amount of syrup. You can keep the syrup cold by keeping the syrup bowl in another container filled with iced water.) Let them soak in the syrup for a while.

14. Transfer the syrup-soaked koeksisters to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before indulging in this South African delight.

There you have it! A taste of South Africa in the form of these delectable, homemade koeksisters. Enjoy them as a sweet treat, a delightful snack, or even as a special breakfast – because in South Africa, every moment is a good one for these irresistible, sticky donuts. Now you can share the magic of South African cuisine with friends and family, and savor the sweet, syrupy goodness of koeksisters together.

 

PS: Koeksisters can be enjoyed with a variety of other traditional South African treats and snacks. Some options to pair with koeksisters include:

  1. Bobotie: A spiced, baked dish of ground meat topped with an egg-based mixture.

  2. Malva Pudding: A sweet and sticky South African dessert served warm with a scoop of ice cream or custard.

  3. Biltong: A popular South African dried and spiced meat snack, similar to beef jerky.

  4. Milk Tart (Melktert): A custard-filled tart with a sweet pastry crust.

  5. Boerewors: Traditional South African sausages made from a mixture of beef, pork, and spices, typically cooked on the grill.

  6. Samosas: South African-style savory pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables.

  7. Bunny Chow: A South African fast-food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry.

  8. Vetkoek: Deep-fried dough buns often served with a variety of sweet or savory fillings.

Pairing koeksisters with these South African treats can make for a delightful and authentic South African culinary experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Get into the kitchen and start creating these sweet delights that capture the heart and soul of South Africa!

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