Souskluitjies are a beloved South African dish, often served as a comforting dessert or a special treat for family gatherings. These cinnamon-sugar-coated dumplings are soft and pillowy, with a warm, fragrant syrup that enhances their flavor. The dish is made using a simple dough, which is gently simmered in water, then coated in a sweet cinnamon syrup, making it the perfect combination of soft and sweet. The versatility of this recipe allows for variations in the syrup, with optional salt and additional spices to suit your taste. Whether you’re making it for a weekend family dinner or a festive celebration, Souskluitjies bring a taste of South African tradition to your table. This dish can be enjoyed as a comforting dessert or even as a snack with tea or coffee. The dough is easy to prepare, and the dumplings are quick to cook, making it a great option for those who want to try something new but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
South African Souskluitjies (Makes 12-14 dumplings)
Ingredients
For the Dumplings
- 150 grams of cake flour (about 1 heaping cup)
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 50 grams butter (at room temperature)
- 50 ml milk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp vanilla essence (optional)
For the Cinnamon Sugar
- 20 grams sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Syrup
- 30 grams sugar
- 30 grams butter (melted)
- ½ tsp cinnamon sugar
- ¼ tsp salt (optional)
Method
- Assemble all your ingredients before starting.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the butter to the flour mixture and rub it in with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla essence.
- Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon until the dough comes together and is firm.
- Let the dough rest while bringing 700 ml of water to a boil in a saucepan with the lid on. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low.
- Wet two dessert spoons in the boiling water. Scoop a tablespoon of dough and carefully drop it into the simmering water. Repeat this until the saucepan is half full.
- Cover and let the dumplings simmer undisturbed for 5-8 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid to keep the dumplings from falling flat. Depending on your saucepan size, you may need to cook in batches.
- In the meantime, melt 30g of butter and set aside.
- Mix 20g sugar with ½ tsp cinnamon and set aside.
- Once the dumplings are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a serving dish.
- Coat the dumplings in the melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure they are evenly covered. Keep them warm while you prepare the syrup.
- For the syrup, add the sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and salt to the remaining water in the saucepan. Bring to a boil and let it reduce and thicken slightly.
- Pour the syrup over the dumplings and serve warm.
Nutritional and Dietary Information
These dumplings are soft, slightly sweet, and packed with comforting flavors. The cinnamon syrup adds a rich sweetness, while the butter provides a satisfying richness. However, due to the butter and sugar, this dish is not low in calories, so it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat. It contains gluten, dairy, and eggs, making it unsuitable for those with gluten or dairy sensitivities.
Sharing and Commenting is Caring
Did you enjoy these South African Souskluitjies? We’d love to hear your feedback! Please leave a comment with your thoughts and share the recipe with friends and family who would enjoy these delicious dumplings. Your support helps us continue creating mouthwatering recipes for everyone to enjoy!