Baking Class
Our 2-hour KOEKSISTER Workshop offers a delightful culinary experience where you'll learn to create the iconic Cape Malay Koeksister, a sweet, spicy, syrup-drenched treat that is beloved across South Africa. As you knead and fry these golden delights, you’ll also discover the rich cultural heritage and history of the renowned Bo-Kaap neighbourhood.
In addition to mastering the art of Koeksisters, the workshop also includes a lesson on making Hertzoggies, traditional South African pastry tartlets filled with jam and topped with a delicate coconut meringue.
What To Expect
Hands-on Experience: Learn to craft Koeksisters and Hertzoggies from scratch.
Cultural Insights: Discover the fascinating history behind these beloved treats and their connection to Cape Malay heritage.
Traditional Tea Experience: Enjoy a traditional tea session while savouring your freshly made Koeksisters and Hertzoggies.
Take-home Goodies: Each attendee will receive a printed recipe along with a specially curated spice pack to recreate your first batch of Koeksisters at home.
Join us for an unforgettable baking experience that combines tradition, culture, and the joy of homemade delights!
Our Workshop
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Our Workshop *
Cape Malay Koeksisters:
Fragrant South African Tradition
Cape Malay Koeksisters are a cherished South African pastry, distinct from their syrup-laden counterparts, offering a unique blend of aromatic spices and textures. Unlike the crisp, syrup-drenched traditional Koeksisters, Cape Malay Koeksisters are characterized by their soft, doughnut-like texture and are lightly coated in a fragrant sugar syrup infused with warming spices such as cinnamon, aniseed, and ginger. Their rich flavours, enhanced by the use of coconut and spices, make them a beloved treat within the Cape Malay community and beyond.
These golden, deep-fried pastries are typically round or oval-shaped, with a soft, pillowy interior and a slightly crisp exterior. The dough, enriched with ingredients like butter and eggs, is spiced with hints of cinnamon and ginger, creating a warm and comforting flavour profile. After frying, they are briefly immersed in a fragrant syrup infused with traditional Cape Malay flavours, giving them a light sweetness without being overly sticky. A final sprinkle of desiccated coconut adds a delicate texture and enhances its appeal.
Hertzoggies: Beloved South African Pastry
Hertzoggies are a cherished South African pastry renowned for their perfect balance of textures and flavours. These delightful tartlets consist of three distinct layers, each contributing to their irresistible appeal. At the base, a crisp and buttery shortcrust pastry provides a firm yet tender foundation, offering a subtle richness that complements the filling. This pastry is carefully crafted to achieve a delicate crumb while maintaining its structural integrity to hold the luscious filling.
At the heart of the Hertzoggie lies a generous layer of sweet, fruity apricot jam, which brings a vibrant contrast to the rich pastry. The jam, often homemade or selected for its high fruit content, offers a delightful combination of sweetness and tanginess, creating a burst of flavour with every bite. Its sticky texture melds beautifully with the pastry, ensuring a satisfyingly moist centre.
Topping off the tartlet is a light and airy coconut filling, which provides the perfect finishing touch. The coconut filling is a combination of water and sugar syrup, gently topped off with finely shredded coconut, and baked to a delicate golden brown. This topping adds a sweet, slightly chewy texture with a hint of flavour, creating a delightful contrast to the crisp pastry and smooth
jam beneath.