Traditional Koeksisters – A traditional South African sticky donut treat that’s deliciously sweet, sticky, crunchy and drenched in syrup, laced with cinnamon, lemon and ginger. Absolutely perfect for snack or tea time and even breakfast.
We all a vice right? And fried foods are mine- especially when they are a sweet treat…. Not a weekend goes by without an occasional indulgent of some sort of fried food. You heard right! However, moderation is the key. Okay, that’s not exactly true. I can barely contain myself. So don’t take my word for it.
First things first: koeksisters are pronounced like, ” cook sister”. Now that you know how to pronounce it, what the heck is it? Allow me. koeksister is a super popular South African sticky doughnut .It derives it’s name from the Dutch word “koekje”, which can be interpreted as “cookie”. There are two versions of this popular doughnuts: this is the Afrikaner version –sticky ,braided ,crunchy and crunchy –drenched in syrup, laced with cinnamon, lemon and ginger. The end result… a taste bud explosion.
They are extremely popular in South Africa, sold on major streets and have made their way into super markets. These are a true indulgence, one that is worthy of a birthday celebration, holiday or even creating a special occasion if you do not have one (I do that all the time).
I know these doughnuts take a bit of advance preparation before deep-frying but are a fun to do especially if you have kids.
Enjoy!
Watch How To Make It
Traditional Koeksisters
Ingredients
Spicy Syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoon chopped Fresh ginger
- Fresh squeeze lemon juice (half lemon)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup water
Dough
- 1 cup corn flour (100grams)
- 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 butter melted
- oil for deep frying
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan. Add, cream of tartar, salt, sugar, ginger, lemon juice and cinnamon stick. Bring water to a boil and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, Stirring syrup occasionally. Let it cool and refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients- corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder
- Then all the wet ingredients milk and egg followed by butter. Knead several times until all the ingredients have been incorporated. Let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Place dough on board and roll out into about 1 inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter or knife cut into strips thin strips and then shorter strips.
- , Divide the dough into three strands and stretch them out carefully until they are of an even thickness all the way down. Pinch the ends together
- Take the left strand and cross it over the middle strand Take the right strand and cross it over the middle strand. Tightly pinch to seal the end.
- In a large, sauce pan pour vegetable oil into a pot, until it is at least 3 inches Test to make sure the oil is hot enough by putting a ‘drop’ of batter into the oil. If it is not hot enough, the batter will stay at the bottom of the pot rather than rising to the top. If using a deep fryer, fry at 350 degrees
- Gently place koeksisters in the pan
- Fry for a few minutes until the bottom side is golden brown.
- Turn the over and fry for a few more minutes until the other side is golden brown.
- Use a large spoon or something like that to take it out of the oil and directly place in syrup.
- Leave to soak in the syrup for a while. Transfer to a cooling rack. Cool completely before eating.
Nutrition Information:
A J Hunt says
Not the Koeksister recipe my family has had for years. It came to us from a cousin of my mother’s who spent years in So Africa with her husband as Methodist missionaries. The recipe we have is a yeasted sweet bread with cinnamon in it that takes at least two days to make. An overnight rise of the sponge, more flour and kneading, a second rise, then rolling, cutting, braiding, and frying. The syrup from our recipe is a simple syrup with cinnamon only. Dipped while still hot from the fryer, the braids soak up the syrup and become sticky when cold. It was a family affair at Christmas every year when I was young. Mom would make the dough, roll it out, and Dad would cut it. We kids would braid. Then Mom or Dad would fry it, and the other would dip.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for your comment and for sharing this, A J!
Ruby Fitzgerald says
Please I live in a small place in Australia. We can’t get corn meal. .what can I use as an alternative. Thanks. is cornflour ok?
ImmaculateBites says
Corn flour would work just as well.
Natalie says
You can get cornflour at Coles (made in South Africa) and Woolworths
Brooke Boner says
Can you substitute cornmeal for cornflour?
Karen Mccaffrey says
I made these today, I live in Ireland now but grew up in South Africa and I have to say, this is EXACTLY how I remember koeksisters!! Thank you! Recipe was super!! I treated my children to these and I can tell you they will be made again SOON!!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!!! I am so glad you loved this recipe and that it took you down memory lane :). Thank you for the feedback, Karen.
Julia R. says
Hi, we are making this tomorrow but I am not sure if the butter needs to be softened to room temperature, or does it need to be melted? Thank you.
ImmaculateBites says
Hello Julia,
It’s melted butter. Happy cooking!!!
Pieter says
It is a koeksister, yes, for sure. Traditional, not at all though. Pity about the cornflour, makes it taste a bit like porridge. Koeksisters should be wheat only, i should have known before I used this recipe. Syrup is good, although a little too lemony and cinnamon can be left out, makes no difference. Drizzle syrup on fried koeksisters, no no no. Out of hot oil into deep VERY cold syrup. Dunk so it can suck the syrup in, then drip “dry”. Dough kneads, rolls, cuts and braids easy, that I have to say!
chi says
hi, I from Nigeria and I guess I will try this. quick question ma’am, is corn flour same as corn starch. and do you raise the braid why braiding.
imma africanbites says
Hi, Chi. Cornstarch is from the endosperm (a tissue produced inside the seed) of the corn kernel while corn flour is made by grinding the whole corn kernels. Cornstarch is use more as a thickening agent. You can check this good read here >>> https://bit.ly/2IgQPZt As for the dough, you have to let it rest to rise for about 30 minutes (Step #3) before cutting it out into strips.
Chizoba says
You can buy cornflour in Nigeria it is lavelled as Cornflour. I use it for making sauces and thickening soups. Try Shoprite if you are unsure where to get at market. I buy Fally Cornflour in yellow tib from market. Made in Ogun State. Tel. 0803306127 for producer.
Charlie says
Where does the salt go? Into the dough or into the syrup?
Debby says
In the dough
Amaka says
Thanks so much for sharing though I don’t think I have seen this here in Nigeria. But I will surely try it
Liza says
These are tasty, but I think not quite what they were supposed to be given what passes for corn flour where I live, mine are too heavy. I had a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Masa Harina that was sub-labelled corn flour. I think I’ll try the other recipe with yeast and just cake flour next time.
Janet Anderson says
In Europe and other parts of the world, ‘corn flour’ is what we in the US call cornstarch.
Corrie says
No we buy corn meal . Cornstarch is different.
Gloria Clout says
Thank you. Can’t wait to try the recipe . Do you have any ideas how to package to sell Koeksister. Also do you fill them with cream.
Weight busters
Gloria
Michelle Simons says
I made these for a school assignment, as we are studying Africa currently, and they turned out very delicious. Thank you!
imma africanbites says
You’re welcome. And thank you for dropping by.
Ems says
Corn flour = Corn Starch
Corn meal = Polenta (maize meal)
ada says
Please help…I made a batch of koeksisters But it seems not to have assorbed the syrup too well.
What can be The problem answer in the frying process is it important for oil to be at a specifiche heat?
Rhx
ImmaculateBites says
Yes always start frying at 375 degrees , once you add the dough it will bring down the temperature (about 25 degrees) . Do you add the koeksisters to the syrup immediately it comes out of the fryer? Also your syrup should be thick and sticky.
Gabriele says
Hello,
I will prepare this dish for my birthday, thus, I would like to ask how long these can stay delicious and fresh after soaking in the syrup? Also, in my country (Lithuania) we do not use cream of tartar. Can I change it into something else?
Thank you!
ImmaculateBites says
It’s best to freeze the koeksisters, after frying . Remove warm in the oven , then mix with syrup the day of your birthday. Not advisable to save after soaking in syrup. Yes, you can. Anything that’s going to prevent the sugar from crystallizing .
C.P.N says
Hi Immaculate,
How long can they stay without getting spoilt? Or it doesn’t require preservation, Please let’s know if this can last long. Thank you.
ImmaculateBites says
I usually freeze them , if there are any leftovers. Then reheat in the oven. This works best without the addition of syrup.
Ella says
Hi Imma, I was wondering if it would be possible to freeze the dough after braiding and then cook them at a later time after defrosting. Thanks!!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Ella, Yes you can.Leave it out for about 10- 15 minutes before frying . It will be just fine.
Fatima Sadiq says
Hi Imma,
Jus want to congratulate you on your amazing page and such homely and easy to make recipes. Tried the Koeksisters today and they turned out FLAWLESS. Such a long awaited craving cured. I’m hooked to your page! <3
ImmaculateBites says
Yay! Thank you so much Fatima. Happy to hear it’s working out for you.
Gloria says
So beautifully prepared and yes this is the traditional way of preparing koeksisters!!
They must be braided/plaited as in the photographs. This is how I remember them from my childhood.
Don’t know when last I’ve seen them look this way…
Those you find in shops these days are pieces of koeksister dough that has been twisted; they don’t have the same magic to look at but they do taste just as good!!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Gloria
Vickie says
Is corn flour same as maize flour in uganda?and can I make the syrup without the cream of tartar?i doubt I can find it here.
ImmaculateBites says
If the corn is ground finely it will work. Use about 1/2 teaspoon lemon at the end of cooking the syrup to help prevent, crystallization( the syrup from drying out ) Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks!
kimberly says
Hi i am going to be making these with my son for his Festival of Nations project and we need so many for samples. Do you know approximatly how many this will make? TIA
ImmaculateBites says
It will make about 15-20 . Maybe you can make them smaller.
Carmela says
Hello, I love that you made these, and as a south African I want to give you a tip, devide your syrup in 2alwas keep is as cold as possible, (u can place your syrup bowl on one containing ice)dink your koeksister emediatly and swop your syrup out if it gets hot, if possible prepare it the night before and keep in the fridge 🙂 your koeksister will be perfect no dry spots and drenched perfectly with a crunchy shell.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Carmela! Appreciate you taking time to share with us. Thanks!
Ezra says
Just made this, didn’t turn out as I expected maybe because I used coconut sugar, the syrup was a bit watery. To be tried again…
ImmaculateBites says
Boil it down, until syrupy. You might need to cook it longer.
Ela says
Hi Imma, can u please clarify the baking powder quantity for this recipe? I would like to make this during this Christmas season but I see for the dough, u have 1tsp baking powder and another 2½ teaspoons baking powder. Is that a mistake or do I use 3½ teaspoons in total?
ImmaculateBites says
Recipe updated Ela. Thanks!
Utina says
Hi Imma,
Thank you for the ama-zing recipe. I’m finding some difficulty with it.
Your recipe calls for 100 gram / 1 cup corn flour. Is that a typing error or is it correct? 1 cup + 100 gram corn flour?
My mom used to make these with yeast and potatoes. I’m just keen on trying your recipe, seems so quick and easy.
Thank you.
Utina
ImmaculateBites says
It’s either one standard cup corn flour or 100 gram corn flour.
Mandy says
Is cornflour the same as cornmeal?
Mandy says
Baking powder is listed twice in the dough recipe-once as 1tsp, and then 2 1/2. Is this a mistake, or does the whole recipe call for 3 1/2 tsp of baking powder?
ImmaculateBites says
It’s 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Lana says
Is corn flour the same as corn starch?
ImmaculateBites says
I don’t think so, especially here in the U.S
Lana says
Can i substitute corn flour with all purpose flour?
ImmaculateBites says
No you can’t completely sub all purpose flour with corn flour in this recipe. All purpose flour contains gluten that helps it rise, it might affect the texture.
eddie says
i am from south Africa and made them
my aunts used to make 100 dozen at a time for sale
they last months in the deep freeze
and you can take them out and eat imediatly
ImmaculateBites says
Eddie, I bet you stuffed yourself with them right? I keep mine in the fridge for a day or two and eat without reheating. Thanks for sharing.
Juwa says
Hi,
I was wondering how long these can keep in the fridge. I always like having different snacks available at any given time because of my chop chop husband but I can’t make loads everyday!
ImmaculateBites says
Too funny Juwa. Based on my experience, I have stored it in the fridge for not more than 5 days. Others, say last about a week in the fridge.
Karen Peters says
Thank You Imaculate for sharing these beautiful recipes from the Continent!!!!!
Karen Peters says
OOOPS, I meant Immaculate!
ImmaculateBites says
Karen, thanks for taking the time to comment!
Memoria says
I have never heard of koeksisters, but I must try them immediately! Wow! They look amazing! Great photos. I wish I could eat all of them right now.
Deliah says
These are the best doughnuts EVER! Ok am biased. I grew up eating these doughnuts. Thanks for the recipe!
ImmaculateBites says
Let me know when you make them Deliah.
dina says
these are so yummy! i had them at xai xai in nyc. love them!
ImmaculateBites says
They really are Dina.
Zi says
Hi there is cornmeal the same as polenta because here in the uk the packet of cornmeal writes polenta underneath :-/ I want to make sure I’m using the correct thing. I already read that it’s not corn starch so I’m thinking this is the only cornmeal we have here. Please let me know. Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
Yes it is.