Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (2024)

By Johlene Orton 18 Comments

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (1)

Easy Koeksister Recipe

A fast way to makeKoeksisters. A traditional South African dessert recipe. In this recipe Iused bread instead of dough which is known as Breadsisters..

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (2)

Traditional South African Recipes

As most of you guys know by now, I am a proud South African native althoughIhave been living in Spain for the last 7 years. If you read my about mepageyou´ll see how I boast about South African food and how I believe it´s simply the best food out there (I´m not biast at all *smile*).

I decided to share yet anotherone of my favorite South African recipes. Awhile ago, I shared a recipe called Malva Puddingon my blog. At that stage I was still taking photos with my digital camera, so forgive me for the quality of those photos! Don´t let that stop you to try the Malva Pudding recipe! My friend Jen, who lives in Canada makes it on a regular basis and she and her family loves it!
Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (3)

How are Koeksisters made?

Traditionally koeksisters are made with dough that is cut into 3 strips and braided into koeksisters. Then fried in hot oil until golden brown, quickly drained on paper towels and immediately dipped into ice cold sugar syrup.

The reason why you immediately dip the hot koeksisters into the ice cold sugar syrup is because the colder the syrup, the more of it will be soaked up by the warm koeksister (or breadsister in our case).

The perfect koeksister is crunchy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside! Words can´t explain how much I love these sweet treats! I mean just look at this photo below! I´m not lying am I? *smile*

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (4)

Print

Easy Koeksister Recipe made with bread!

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (5)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 10 thick slices of white or brown bread (without the crusts)
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Heat the sugar and water in a heavy bottomed sauce pan until it reaches boiling point.
  2. Boil for a further 3 to 4 minutes on medium heat (uncovered).
  3. Remove from the heat.
  4. Add the lemon juice and cool completely.
  5. Once the syrup has cooled place the bowl in a larger bowl with ice water (the idea is to keep the syrup as cold as possible when dipping).
  6. Heat the Oil over medium heat
  7. Cut each slice of Bread into three equal size fingers.
  8. Deep fry 3 to 4 bread fingers at a time, turning regularly. About 30 to 45 seconds per batch.
  9. Remove the fried bread, using a slotted spoon, quickly place on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
  10. Immediately dunk the fried bread fingers into the ice cold syrup for 5 seconds (make sure all is covered).
  11. Repeat with all the bread fingers.
  12. Chill until it´s time to serve them.
  13. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
  14. These only get better with time, feel free to make a double batch! One batch wont last long wink

Notes

This recipe was adapted from With A Blast

https://johleneorton.com/easy-koeksister-recipe-a-k-a-breadsisters/

From Koeksister to Breadsister!

Now you´re probably wondering why I didn´t I make the “real deal”. Referring to the Koeksisters that are made with dough. Well to be honest, I didn´t feel like the hassle. I´ve made them before and they take up so much time! These Breadsisters are a very close second and they taste sooooo good!

I used to eat them often as a child becausemy aunt used to make them for special occasions. I remember eyeying the table to see how many were left.. thinking that I needed to eatat least one more before they were all gone. They were gone really quick!

Tip:Make two batches as these store really well and before you know it the first batch will be finished!

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (6)

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (7)

Photo Shoot and Styling Tips

I thought I´d share a few tips with you guys on how I styled this post and some of the settings I used on my camera..

  • I used PhotoScape to bulk edit the size of my photos once I uploaded them to my PC.
  • Then I used Canva to crop and add text tothem.
  • These photos were shot in natural light, right next to my window.
  • My ISO ranged between 200 – 400, which depended on my angle/position.
  • I used one of my topsas a prop because it has an African print on it *smile*.
  • The black dish is from anice cream hubbybought merecentlyfrom our local supermarket. I liked it, so I kept it. Thumbs up for frugal living *smile again*.

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (8)

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (9)

Until next time guys! I hope you´re all having a great week!

Johlene

xoxo

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (10)

Easy Koeksister Recipe a.k.a. Breadsisters (2024)

FAQs

What is the English name for koeksister? ›

Definition of 'koeksister'

Save room for a koeksister (a syrupy doughnut) and coffee.

What is a koeksister made of? ›

A koeksister /ˈkʊksɪstər/ is a traditional Afrikaner confectionery made of fried dough infused in syrup or honey. There is also a Cape Malay version of the dish, which is a fried ball of dough that is rolled in desiccated coconut called a koesister.

Who invented Koeksisters? ›

The origins for this culinary cultural icon are attributed to two recipes brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers in 1652. These two recipes were for doughnuts and a sweet bowtie-shaped thingee made from pasta dough.

What is the difference between Koeksisters and Koeksisters? ›

Koesisters: Soft, slightly chewy doughnut-like texture. Koeksisters: Crispy and crunchy exterior with a syrup-soaked, tender interior.

What is the difference between Koeksisters and Koesisters? ›

Do you know the difference between a koeksister and a traditional Cape Malay koesister? While a koeksister is plaited and deep fried for a crispy outside, the koesister is softer and made with cinnamon, traditional mixed spices, and aniseed.

Why are they called Koeksisters? ›

The name comes form the Dutch koek (cake) and sissen (sizzle) – presumable a reference to the sizzling sound they make when being deep fried. It is one of the few things which, despite the huge South African population in London, I have not seen in mainstream stores.

What are some interesting facts about Koeksisters? ›

The word koeksister is of Dutch origin, from the word 'koek', which literally means a wheat flour confectionery and is also the origin of the American word cookie. The word 'sister' originates from the legend of two sisters working together and plaiting the doughnuts and then dunking them in syrup.

What is the origin of the koeksister? ›

The koeksister's origins are not exactly clear, but it is generally believed to have originated from a recipe brought to the Cape by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. Koeksisters are not to be confused with the closely named but distinctly different Cape Malay treat koesisters, of Malay/Indonesian origin.

What is typical South African food? ›

Traditional South African Dishes
  • Bobotie. Considered by many to be the South African national dish, Bobotie (pronounced ba-bo-tea) is a meat-based dish and one of the most well-known examples of Cape Malay cuisine. ...
  • Boerewors. ...
  • Biltong. ...
  • Vetkoek. ...
  • Potjiekos. ...
  • Chakalaka and pap. ...
  • Durban bunny chow. ...
  • Malva pudding.
Jan 4, 2023

What are some interesting facts about Koeksisters in South Africa? ›

Legend has it a pair of sisters decided to braid their doughnuts like they braid their hair and fry them until they're golden as the sun and sweet as their sisterly bond. The result is a little golden braid with a crisp outer shell and a sticky liquid center, scented traditionally only with lemon.

Why is it called koeksister? ›

The name comes form the Dutch koek (cake) and sissen (sizzle) – presumable a reference to the sizzling sound they make when being deep fried. It is one of the few things which, despite the huge South African population in London, I have not seen in mainstream stores.

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