Keenan Blake|Published
Make crisp, golden South African koeksisters with a lemon, ginger and cinnamon syrup. Prepare the syrup ahead so it is thoroughly chilled before dipping the hot pastries.
Ingredients:
For the syrup
1kg sugar
3 cups water
3 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 piece ginger
2 star aniseed
Boil syrup for about 10 to 12 minutes until it is a thick texture.
Make sure you brush the sides of the pot with water while it is boiling so that no sugar forms on the side.
Cool down in the freezer fridge until super cold. Best to do this for a couple hours or over night.
For the dough
4 cups flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons butter
½ beaten egg
1 cup water
In a bowl add flour and baking powder.
Rub in butter.
Mix water and half egg together and add to the flour mixture.
Mix until a dough forms.
Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.
Cover and leave to rest for 30 mins.
Roll out to half a centimeter rectangle.
Cut strips into about 2cm each and use three strips to make a plait.
Fry in medium heat until it doubles in size and is golden.
Drain the oil and dip in the syrup for about a minute or two.
Store in the fridge once done.
Recipe by Keenan Blake