Vegan Donuts - Koeksisters

Recipe Name: Egg free vegan koeksisters

Subtitle: South African doughnuts

Country: South Africa

Preparation time: 50 minutes

Recipe story:

Koeksisters are a popular South African doughnut that are coated in a sweet, sticky syrup. They are deep fried, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are just basically delicious! They are egg free and totally vegan.

Ingredients:

Syrup ingredients

· 180ml water

· Juice and zest of one lemon

· 500g sugar

· ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

· ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Doughnut ingredients

· 325g flour

· 2 tablespoons of corn flour

· 1 tablespoon baking powder

· Scant ¼ teaspoon salt

· ¼ plant based butter

· 120 ml non diary milk

· ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Directions:

1. First make the syrup by adding all the syrup ingredients to a medium saucepan and bringing it to a boil until the sugar has dissolved. This should only take a few minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight until very cold.

2. To make the dough sift the flour, salt, baking powder, corn flour and nutmeg (if using) together into a large bowl. Add the margarine in small chunks and mix into the flour lightly with your fingers, until it looks like crumbs and there are no big chunks of margarine left floating around.

3. Add the non diary milk and stir with a wooden spoon to bring the flour and liquid together. Switch to using your hands and knead the dough for a few minutes, or until smooth and stretchy. Wrap in cling film and leave to rest for an hour or two.

4. Heat a few inches of vegetable oil to 180 degrees C.

5. Roll the dough out to just under ¼ inch thickness and cut into approximate ½ inch x 4-inch pieces. Take three strips and pinch them together at one end. You can make the koeksisters longer if so desired.

6. Careful not to overcrowd whatever you are using to deep fry in, place some of the koeksisters in hot oil and allow to fry until golden (2-3 minutes approximately).

7. Remove from the oil with tongs or a slatted spoon and immediately plunge into the cold syrup and then place in a large dish. Continue until all doughnuts are cooked and pour the remaining syrup over the top.

8. Refrigerate and serve cold or at room temperature.

9. Enjoy!!