There are many varieties of doughnuts outside of that most commonly known, including twist doughnuts, fritters, and the hugely varied and popular filled doughnut. Cream or custard filled doughnuts or sugar and cinnamon sprinkled doughnuts, its all so delicious!

Doughnuts come in all shapes and sizes and South Africa has its own local version – the Cape Malay Koeksister. A traditional favourite, where many Capetonians love to make it fresh and eat it on a Sunday morning with a cup of tea or coffee. Made with a spiced dough that is boiled in sticky syrup and sprinkled with desiccated coconut. We love all kinds of doughnuts and there is definitely a doughnut for every person. We thought we’d put together a yummy Koeksister recipe for you, a mouthwatering syrup-coated spicy doughnut rolled in coconut. Serve it while its hot!

 Koeksister Recipe 

Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • teaspoons dry yeast
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 3 egg yolks
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Oil for deep-frying
Cinnamon Cardamom Sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl combine yeast, and water in a warm place for about 5 minutes.
  2. In a microwave, warm milk, butter and sugar until butter is melted about I minute. Set aside
  3. Using a hand mixer, mix in salt and 2 cups flour with the yeast mixture, until well combined. Add egg yolks, then slowly add the warm butter mixture and vanilla until dough is fully combined. If dough too stick add more flour
  4. Cover with a damp cloth and sit in a warm place until double in size.
  5. Punch dough down and place on a floured board, cut in about 25-30 pieces, roll in a ball, arrange in a single layer, let in a rise for about 15 minutes.
  6. While dough is raising combine sugar, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon set aside.
  7. In a large, sauce pan pour vegetable oil, until it is at least 3 inches (or about 5 centimeters) high (too little will result in flatter balls), and place on medium heat until oil is 350 degrees.
  8. When ready gently place a few balls at a time into saucepan
  9. Fry for a few minutes until the bottom side is golden brown.
  10. Turn the ball over and fry for a few more minutes until the other side is golden brown.
  11. Use a large spoon or something like that to take it out of the oil. I usually place them in the cinnamon sugar and roll until it is coated with cinnamon sugar