It is a type of advantage if you are a food enthusiast and planning to visit South Africa soon. The country has some of the most delectable dishes, particularly the desserts of South Africa will tantalize your taste buds. Each and every community has their own unique traditional sweet treat, which offers you a glimpse into the culture of the locals. If you are wondering how to select the perfect sugary dish for your palate, then we have curated a list of some of the finest desserts in South Africa.
Renowned South African Desserts
Exploring South Africa can be enjoyable, and if you delight in trying new cuisine, it will be even more exciting as this compilation showcases the top 16 South African desserts. After perusing this list, you will undoubtedly feel a strong desire for these treats.
- Milk Tart
- Koeksisters
- Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart
- Malva Pudding
- Cape Brandy Pudding
- Coconut Ice
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Potato Pudding
- Sago Pudding
- Trifle
- Queen Cake
- Asynpoeding
- Boeber
- Bombay Crush
- Hertzoggies
- Melkkos
1. Milk Tart
This is one of the most traditional desserts in South Africa. The literal meaning of the dish is a milk tart. The fundamental composition of the dessert consists of abundant milk, flour, and eggs, resulting in a velvety smooth texture that dissolves in your mouth. To honor this dish, there is even a National Milk Tart Day. So, if you adore milk and tart, order this without even glancing at the menu. It is typically served with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top to enhance the flavor.
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2. Koeksisters
If we discuss appearances, Koeksisters are the most fascinating in looks. This delicious dish also belongs to the category of simple to make South African desserts. To prepare the dough is given the shape of a braid with a coconut essence and dipped in Honey or sweet syrup. This dish originates from Indonesia and is commonly found in every supermarket or restaurant in South Africa.
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3. Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart
This is one of the most renowned South African chilled desserts. Leopard doing is placed upon chocolate bars and crispy biscuits. Then it is adorned with peppermint crisp. And finally, the dish gets soaked in caramel. This dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. The peppermint crisp is an ancient recipe that was extremely popular among South African school students.
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4. Malva Pudding
This pudding differs in taste from the other regular puddings that we try. It has a texture of caramel and the cake of the dish is very tender and moist. The structure of the cake comes from ample amounts of butter and syrup utilized to create it. It is complemented with flavorsome Apricot jam which provides a delightful bite. As desserts are typically enjoyed cold, the dish is served in accordance with tradition. Savor the experience of eating Malva pudding, one of the South African chilled desserts.
5. Cape Brandy Pudding
If you are getting perplexed about what to order after finishing a delectable meal in South Africa, you can definitely opt for this. To prepare the dish a lot of South African drinking constant and brandy is used. So it is recommended to consume as per your tolerance of alcohol since the dessert is commonly known as Tipsy Tart in the locality.
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6. Coconut Ice
The dish appears stunning with both pink and white hues providing a sensation of two-in-one frozen treat. It is a hit among youngsters due to its appealing appearance and delectable flavors.
Essentially, a significant amount of condensed milk, confectioners’ sugar, cream of tartar, and coconut are utilized to prepare the dish. Additionally, a small portion of food coloring is incorporated to attain the vivid pink hue. It is an extremely popular dessert and can be found in every nook and cranny of South Africa.
7. Citrus Meringue Pie
This particular dish on the list offsets excessive sweetness and imparts a tangy taste to the ensemble. Although it did not originate in South Africa, it has gained popularity among the locals. The filling of the pie consists of freshly made lemon custard using lemons, cornstarch, egg yolks, and a touch of sugar. The crust is made from crispy tennis biscuits or pastry, and the meringue is prepared using egg whites and powdered sugar.
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8. Sweet Potato Pudding
This dessert is prepared using sweet potatoes and also powdered cinnamon. The texture of the pudding is not very creamy and it is highly renowned among the Cape Malay community. In restaurants, it is served in square shapes and accompanied by stewed fruit slices. Indulge in this delightful pudding along with other South African desserts during your visit to the region.
9. Tapioca Pudding
Very easy to prepare, this delicious dessert is a favorite among South African eateries and small restaurants. It is an incredibly light pudding cooked slowly in milk. The final result is akin to a fluffy ball. It bears resemblance to rice pudding and is flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. Be sure to try this delectable dish along with other mouthwatering South African desserts.
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10. Trifle
This dessert takes the form of a jelly-custard and is one of the most popular South African desserts. It is well-known among the chilled sweet treats of South Africa and originated from Britain. If you have a penchant for jelly and custard, then this dessert is a great choice among South African chilled desserts and you won’t be disappointed with its taste.
11. Queen cake
Queen Cake is one of the finest traditional South African desserts and boasts an attractive and elegant appearance. The cake is small and simple, typically adorned with powdered sugar or plain icing. The texture and taste of the cake are incredibly satisfying. It is often prepared at home, and we all know that homemade desserts are simply exceptional.
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12. Asynpoeding
Another highly famous traditional South African dessert that will likely captivate you, Asynpoeding is quite similar to Malwa Pudding but with less sweetness. The intriguing aspect is the addition of vinegar to the sauce, lending it an acidic and less sweet taste. This is a must-try dessert in South Africa.
13. Boeber
If you visited South Africa and didn’t try Boeber, did you even visit South Africa? If you are in search of comfort food, then this dessert is precisely that. Made with vermicelli, cinnamon, rose water, sago, and cardamom, Boeber is delectable and something not to be overlooked during your South African journey.
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14. Bombay Crush
It’s difficult to determine if it’s a milkshake or a dessert but regardless of what it is, Bombay Crush is incredible and something that you should definitely taste in South Africa. Made with subja, which is soaked basil seeds, rosewater, and vermicelli noodles, this dessert is hard to disregard and is something you will immediately adore.
15. Hertzoggies
Biscuit and tart came together and that’s when Hertzoggies were born. Made with a pastry base, coconut, and apricot jam, Hertzoggies are delicious and something really difficult to overlook when in South Africa. The dessert has a very fascinating backstory which involves women’s right to vote and much more. Try it for an extraordinary gourmet experience.
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16. Melkkos
Made with cinnamon, butter, orange zest, and little naartjie, Melkkos is delightful. Don’t miss out on this scrumptious delicacy. This dessert is believed to have originated during the time of the Great Trek and was used as comfort food. So, if you are craving a satisfying dessert while in South Africa, you know what you should indulge in.
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Therefore, in this article, several of the most renowned South African desserts are discussed. Now it’s your turn to choose your favorite since the range is extensive. There are both hot and cold South African desserts like ice cream, cake, and even puddings, which turn the entire platter into a Wonderland for dessert enthusiasts. So, book your journey to South Africa with TravelTriangle and discover why this is the ultimate destination to savor all these mouthwatering cuisines!
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