Cape Malay Koeksisters (also pronounced Koesisters) are sticky, syrupy sweet treats. A South-African delicacy not to be missed

We have Koeksisters which is a sweet, sticky, braided, syrupy sweet treat in South-Africa. I have never made those and only buy from bakeries which I know is great.

Koeksisters seem like a lot of work, and watching my family go through a few packets in an hour or two, does not work for me.

Definitely not after going through all that. Therefore when I found a recipe for the Cape Malay Koeksisters, which I think are easier to make, I grabbed the opportunity to make a batch

These are not drenched right through with syrup as standard Koeksisters are and neither are they braided. It is a lot more spicy, though.

I followed the recipe, but really, it just did not work out the first time.

So I made a couple of changes and made a large batch of delicious Cape Malay Koeksisters – my way ! Whether this is still acceptable to carry the name, I have no idea.

UPDATE: If you want a simple version of the traditional koeksisters try these quick Breadsisters.

More Sweet Treats you might like:

• Homemade Ferrero Rocher
• Salted Caramel Truffles
• Old-Fashioned Velvet Pudding Cups (also known as Fluweel Poeding)
• Lemon Meringue Toffees (3 Ingredients)
• Featherlight Vanilla Cake (using a sandwich maker)

Cape Malay Koeksisters

Cape Malay Koeksisters

Linda Nortje

Cape Malay Koeksisters (also pronounced Koesisters) are sticky, syrupy sweet treats. A South-African delicacy not to be missed

4.58 from 54 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Sweet Treats

Cuisine South-African

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Deep-Fry Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings 45 Servings

Calories 192 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 4 ½ cups Flour
• 2 cup Self-Raising Flour
• 1 ½ cup Sugar
• 1 t Salt
• 2 t Ground Ginger
• 1 t Ground Cinnamon
• 2 t Ground Anise
• 1 t Cardemom husks removed and grounded
• 2 t Tangerine Peel finely grated
• ¾ cup Sunflower Oil or vegetable oil
• 1 extra-large Egg
• 1 ½ cups Milk
• 1 ½ cups Warm Water
• 1 TB Active Dry Yeast
• 1 t Sugar
• Oil for deep-fry

SYRUP:

• 2 ¼ cups Sugar
• 1 ½ cups Water
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 2 Cardamom Pods husks removed and grounded

TO ROLL:

• 2 cups Desiccated Coconut

Instructions

 

• Place the Flour, Self-Raising Flour, Sugar, Salt, Ginger, Cinnamon, Anise, Cardemom and the grated Tangerine Peel in a large bowl – mix to combine – add the Oil, rub into the dry ingredients until crumbly
• Mix the Milk and Water – divide into two smaller bowls – add the Yeast and Sugar to the one bowl and stir until dissolved – add the Egg to the other bowl, with the remaining Milk/Water mixture – beat well
• Add first, the Milk/Water/Yeast to the Flour mixture, stir – add the Milk/Water/Egg also to the Flour mixture – mix until you have a soft dough - see note below – cover and leave 2 hours to rise (double in size)
• Roll out the dough (on a floured base) to an approximate 5 centimeters (2 inch) thickness – cut into small squares – 2 1/2 centimeters (1 inch) – cover and leave to rise another 30 minutes
• SYRUP: Boil the Sugar, Water, Cinnamon stick and Cardemom together until the Sugar has dissolved – this syrup must be kept warm all the time (not boiling, low heat – only to keep warm)
• Heat the Oil for deep-fry to a medium heat – place a few pieces of dough in the Oil and fry 3 – 4 minutes until golden and cooked through – drain on paper towel and then dunk into the hot syrup for 30 seconds, turning and making sure the whole koeksister is covered, and some of the syrup has been absorbed
• Finally, roll into the Coconut and place on a cooling rack to cool completely

Notes

• If you find the dough too runny at this stage, add 1/4 cup of Flour at a time until you reach a soft dough (should not be more than 3/4 cup i.e. 3 x 1/4 cups added)

Nutrition Facts

Cape Malay Koeksisters

Serving Size

 

1 Koeksister

Amount per Serving

Calories

192

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

7

g

11

%

Saturated Fat

 

3

g

19

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Cholesterol

 

6

mg

2

%

Sodium

 

15

mg

1

%

Potassium

 

48

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

 

32

g

11

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

18

g

20

%

Protein

 

2

g

4

%

Vitamin A

 

21

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

 

33

mg

3

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition value, where given, is not always accurate. Please also check your ingredient labels.