• Put together all the syrup ingredients.
• Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute.
• Simmer for 10 minutes and cool down.
• Refrigerate overnight to get ice cold.
• Divide into two bowls.

For the koeksisters

• Combine dry ingredients and rub butter in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
• Beat the eggs and milk together and add to the dry ingredients.
• Mix with a fork and add water to make a soft dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead until smooth.
• Return to the bowl, cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or longer.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle of about 0.5cm thick.
• Cut lengthwise into strips about 4cm wide and and 8cm long.
• Keep 1cm at the top of each strip intact and cut into three strips.
• Plait loosely and press the ends together well. Place on a tray and cover with a damp cloth.
• Fry a few together in deep oil at medium heat (approximately 170°C/350°F) for a few minutes on each side.
• Use draining spoon and dunk into one bowl of syrup. Use a different spoon to press them under for half a minute or so.
• When the syrup starts warming up, use the second bowl while cooling the first off in the freezer for a while.
• Place on a rack so excess syrup can drip off while the koeksisters cool down.