Souskluitjies
Cinnamon Dumplings in Sweet Sauce
A comforting and traditional South African dessert featuring soft, fluffy cinnamon-spiced dumplings gently poached in a sweet, syrupy sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250g All-purpose flour(Sifted for a lighter texture.)
- 30g Unsalted butter(Melted and slightly cooled for the dough.)
- 1 Large egg(Room temperature.)
- 125ml Milk(Whole milk recommended for richness. Room temperature.)
- 200g Granulated sugar(For the sweet sauce.)
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon(Divided; 1 tsp for the dough, 1 tsp for serving.)
- 500ml Water(For the sweet sauce.)
- 15g Butter(For the sweet sauce.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the dumpling dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon. In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the egg, then whisk in the melted butter and milk until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Prepare the sweet sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and the remaining 15g of butter. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar and butter have completely dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Form and cook the dumplings: Once the sauce is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Using two teaspoons, carefully drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering sauce. Aim for roughly tablespoon-sized portions. Ensure the dumplings are not overcrowded; cook in batches if necessary.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Steam and finish: Immediately cover the saucepan tightly with a lid. Let the dumplings steam gently in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until they are puffed up and cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure they steam properly. The dumplings should be tender and have absorbed some of the sweet sauce.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 5
Serve: Carefully ladle the souskluitjies and the sweet sauce into individual serving bowls. Sprinkle generously with the remaining 1 tsp of ground cinnamon. Serve warm as a comforting dessert.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For extra fluffy dumplings, ensure your egg and milk are at room temperature.
- ✓The sweet sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, creating a lovely syrup to soak into the dumplings.
- ✓This dish is perfect for a cold winter's day, offering warmth and sweetness.
- ✓Do not overmix the dough, as this can result in tough dumplings.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the dumpling dough for a different spice profile.
- Prepare a caramel sauce instead of the simple sugar syrup for a richer flavor.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.