KOEKSISTERS (SOUTH AFRICAN SYRUP-SOAKED FRITTERS)

Steps:

• Prepare syrup the day before making the koeksisters and chill thoroughly.
• Dissolve sugar in water over medium heat.
• Add spices and knob of ginger.
• Boil together for 10 minutes.
• Sift flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl.
• Rub in butter finely, add beaten eggs with enough milk to blend into a stiff dough.
• Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Roll out to 5 mm (1/4 inch?) thick and cut into strips approximately 70 x 30 mm (3 x 1 inches).
• With a sharp knife, cut each strip into 3 smaller ones, leaving them attached at one end.
• Plait (braid) loosely and pinch ends to secure.
• Drop a few at a time into hot oil.
• Cook until lightly-browned and puffed.
• Lift out and drain for just 1 minute of crumpled paper towels, then drop at once into chilled syrup.
• Soak in syrup, lift out and drain in a sieve until dry.
• Note: I'm sure my cousin got a larger yield than this, she made hers very small and dainty.
• You can make them the size that suits your needs and aesthetics.
• I like them small and dainty, but that's the only way I've ever had them.