These South African fritters or donuts (koeksusters) are a little crunchy on the outside and soaked in a delicious cinnamon-ginger syrup.
A few months ago I posted this recipe on the Spanish side of this blog. I was participating in a culinary challenge, where a food blogger chooses a country and then we all try and post a recipe from the chosen country. And that month it was my turn to choose. I chose South Africa. I wanted it to be some Africa country because my husband grew up there and the meals I've tried are so delicious, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. This fritter or donut recipe comes from my friend Vonnie who is from South Africa and lives here in Paraguay. My family and her family got to spend a couple of Christmas together a few years back. She brought a few South African desserts and one of those were these delicious koeksusters. And since then, I've been wanting to make them. These fritters are spongy and are soaked with a tasty syrup. I recommend that you serve them on a plate or just eat them outside, especially if you're serving this to kids. These koeksusters are finger-licking good!


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Recipe
Koeksusters (South African Donuts)
These South African fritters or donuts (koeksusters) are a little crunchy on the outside and soaked in a delicious cinnamon-ginger syrup.
Servings: 8
Calories: 596kcal
Ingredients
Syrup:
- 2-¼ cup sugar (500g)
- 1-¼ cup water (375ml)
- half lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 piece of about 5 centimeters of peeled ginger
Dough:
- 2 cups flour (271g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 teaspoons cold butter (15g)
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup water (100ml)
- 2 tablespoons milk (25ml)
- Oil for frying
Instructions
For the syrup:
- Add all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over high heat and when it begins to boil, cover with a lid and let cook for a minute. Lower the heat and uncover, and let it boil for 3 minutes. Cool in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours before using.
Fritters:
- In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cold butter. Mix with 2 knives or with a fork until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
- Add the egg, water, and milk. Using an electric mixer with the dough hook, beat for 3 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth. Cover and let stand 6 hours.
- After 6 hours of rest, heat the oil over low heat in a large pan.
- Divide the dough into 8 balls. Roll each ball in a thin strip. Divide each strip into 3. Gather the 3 ends and make a braid. Follow this step with each dough portion.
- Fry each braid for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Immediately add the braids to the syrup; turning so that both sides absorb the syrup.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator and serve cold.
Notes
Two very important things: One, the syrup needs to be very cold. Two, add the donuts in the syrup immediately after removing from the oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 596kcal
Anonymous
Not original recipe and don't ever call it a donut
Liz
These look perfect to serve with a cup of coffee. Thank you for bringing them to FF.
Lizet Flores de Bowen
Yes! great with coffee 🙂 thanks for coming by Liz!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Hmmm, this is something new to me. You share amazing recipes, Liz. I must try the recipe coz I love donuts. 😀 Thanks for sharing! x
Lizet Flores de Bowen
Thank you Jhuls! you are very kind. I hope you give them a try. They are amazing!
Monika Dabrowski
I thought they'd be made with yeast so it's interesting you've used baking powder. Such an intriguing recipe, these donuts must taste amazing!
Lizet Flores de Bowen
Yes! I was surprised by that too because they are so fluffy. Amazing flavors. Thanks for stopping by Monika!