zoom
  • Print A4 A5
    • Close

    Save to your scrapbook

    Koeksisters

    This will be saved to your scrapbook

    You can also add it to one of your existing cookbooks

    *mandatory

    Koeksisters

    These spicy potato doughnuts are a delicacy eaten on Sunday mornings – young children walk around the neighbourhood with baskets selling these sugary treats. This recipe is like one for Dutch koeksisters, which are drenched in syrup and are sweeter than the Cape Malay versions.

    • Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus 1 hour 45 minutes proving
    • Cooking time: 30 minutes
    • Total time: 1 hour, plus 1 hour 45 minutes proving 60 minutes 60 minutes 45 minutes

    Makes: 25

    Ingredients

    • 500g Potatoes, peeled and cubed
    • 125ml Whole milk
    • 30g Butter
    • 1 Medium egg, beaten
    • 1 litre Vegetable oil, for deep frying
    • 3.5g Easy-blend yeast
    • 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
    • 400g Plain flour
    • ½ tsp Salt
    • ½ tsp Ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp Ground ginger
    • A pinch Ground cloves
    • A pinch Ground cardamom
    • 150g Desiccated coconut
    • Syrup
    • 125g Granulated sugar
    • 2 Cardamom pods
    • 1 Cinnamon stick

    Method

    1. Simmer the potatoes in water for 10 minutes until tender. Drain well and mash with the milk, butter, egg and 2 tbsp vegetable oil until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
    2. Place the yeast, sugar, flour, salt and all the spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the potato mixture, turn out onto a surface and knead to a smooth dough. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1–11/2 hours until doubled in volume.
    3. Knock back and roll out on a well-floured surface. Cut the dough into 25 rectangles (about 2.5cm x 5cm), space out and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
    4. Meanwhile, make the syrup by putting all the ingredients in a saucepan with 250ml water; simmer until the sugar dissolves. Then boil for 10 minutes until the liquid coats the back of the spoon.
    5. Fill a saucepan a third full with the oil and heat to 180C or until a small cube of bread turns golden in 5 seconds. Fry the doughnuts in batches of 6 for 5–6 minutes until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen towel. Dip each koeksister in the syrup and sprinkle with the coconut. Serve warm.

    Your recipe note

    Edit your recipe note

    Drinks recommendation

    Coffee and doughnuts make a classic combination the world over.

    Comments

    Average user rating

    4 stars

    Glossary