Desserts · South Africa

Koeksisters (Fried Braided Pastry in Syrup)

Name: Koeksisters (Fried Braided Pastry in Syrup)
Total time: 734 min
Cuisine: South Africa
Ingredients: 1 kg white granulated sugar; 500 ml (2 cups) water; 3 cm long piece of fresh ginger, peeled and bruised OR 2–3 sticks of cinnamon (optional); 1 ml (pinch) cream of tartar; 1 pinch of salt; 2 ½ tsp lemon juice; 240 g all-purpose flour; 4 tsp (20 ml) baking powder; 1 pinch of salt; 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter; 125 ml (½ cup) buttermilk OR soured milk OR water mixed with lemon juice

A koeksister is a fritter, usually in the shape of a plait, that is dipped in a cold syrup mixture. Koeksisters are very rich and are usually served as a special treat or kept for festive occasions. Making koeksisters is time-consuming and labour-intensive (another reason why it is not often made in modern day homes), so plan ahead to set a night and day aside for making this delicious treat. If you keep your oil hot and the syrup very cold you get the perfect koeksister—crisp and crunchy on the outside and soft, moist and syrupy on the inside. The syrup is made the night before to chill in the refrigerator in two containers. While making the koeksisters one of the containers is kept chilled in the refrigerator, to replace the other container of syrup when it heats up after a few batches of the fried dough have been dipped into the first container of syrup. If the syrup isn't cold, the dough won't soak up the syrup and you will end up with a dry koeksister.

Published October 15, 2026

EST. TOTAL TIME12h 14m

DIFFICULTYMedium

SERVESSee recipe

Time and difficulty are editorial estimates; allow extra time for your equipment and experience.

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What you’ll need

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Let’s make it

Step 1

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

Step 2

Turn the heat down, and simmer for 5–8 minutes.

Step 3

Cool the syrup to room temperature.

Step 4

Divide it into 2 containers, and place in the refrigerator to chill overnight.

Step 5

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 6

Add buttermilk. Mix into a soft dough and knead thoroughly. It helps if you oil your hands lightly when starting to knead the dough.

Step 7

Cover the dough with a damp cloth, and leave it to rest for 15 minutes.

Step 8

Roll the dough out to a thickness of 5 mm and cut into 5 x 70 mm (½ cm x 7 cm) strips. Press the ends of two or three strips together and twist or plait, then press the ends together again. Keep the dough you are not working with covered with a damp cloth.

Step 9

Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.

Step 10

Remove with a slotted spoon and dip the pieces immediately in the ice cold syrup.

Step 11

Remove and place the koeksisters on a wire rack so that the excess syrup can drain.

Step 12

Store the koeksisters in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They freeze well and can be served straight from the freezer.

Koeksisters (Fried Braided Pastry in Syrup)

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

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