Koeksisters

Ingredients

All-purpose flour

4 cups

Baking powder

1 tablespoon

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Unsalted butter

1/2 cup, cold and cubed

Egg

1, beaten

Milk

1 cup

Vegetable oil

for frying

Sugar

2 cups (for syrup)

Water

1 cup (for syrup)

Lemon juice

1 tablespoon (for syrup)

Ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon (for syrup)

Ground ginger

1 teaspoon (for syrup)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and milk together. Gradually add this to the flour mixture and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 1 hour.
5. While the dough is resting, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and ginger. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
6. After resting, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into strips about 1 inch wide, then braid three strips together to form the koeksisters.
7. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Fry the koeksisters in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
8. Immediately dip each fried koeksister into the cooled syrup, allowing them to soak for about 1 minute. Remove and let drain on a wire rack.