Koeksisters

Ingredients

• 1 kg sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 sticks cinnamon
• 2.5 cm fresh ginger
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 280 g flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 egg
• 7 tbsp water for the dough
• 6 cups oil for deep-frying

Method

1. Combine the sugar, water, cinnamon, ginger, lemon juice and zest in a saucepan.
2. Boil until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup has slightly thickened.
3. Chill the syrup overnight.
4. Mix the flour, salt and baking powder.
5. Rub in the butter, then add the egg and water to form a soft dough.
6. Allow the dough to rest for 1 hour.
7. Roll out the dough, cut it into strips and braid or twist the portions.
8. Heat the oil and fry the koeksisters until golden.
9. Drain briefly and immediately plunge the hot koeksisters into the cold syrup.
10. Remove from the syrup and allow excess syrup to drain.