10 easy South African desserts you need to try

Food is an integral part of any culture, and from the food of a particular place, you can tell a lot about their culture, if you’re observant enough. Dessert is another key part of the food, because it is like the grand finale of every meal.

That light (usually sweet) finish you have to a proper meal that wraps it all up and kills the last of your cravings. South Africa has one of the best dishes in the world, and also packs a huge punch in its diverse and tasty menu.

Whether you’re a foreigner coming into South Africa for a little fun, or you’re South African looking for a bit more variety, this list is for you.

1. Melktert

This creamy and immensely delicious dessert is one of the best traditional desserts out of South Africa. Its name translates to milk tart, which is an apt summary of the dish.

With its core ingredients being milk, flour and eggs, this dish maintains a smooth creamy taste and texture that will blow you away. It will be served with a dash of cinnamon, to boost the flavour.

2. Koeksisters

This dish if on Indonesian origin and is common in supermarkets and restaurants across South Africa. This dish is one very easy to make dessert, and the dough is given the shape of a braid with coconut flavour, and then dipped in honey or sweet syrup. This dish complements its delicious taste with a curious appearance.

3. Peppermint Crisp Fridge Tart

This dessert is by far one of the easiest to make as it only has four ingredients namely; tennis biscuits, tin caramel, fresh cream, and peppermint crisp chocolate. It is one of the most famous cold desserts and is an old recipe that was very popular amongst secondary school students.

4. Malva Pudding

This dish is often served cold like every dessert dish should be, and is different from your regular pudding. This badass pudding has the texture of caramel, and the cake in it is very moist and soft, owing to the amount of butter and syrup used in making it. It is also topped with tasty Apricot Jam which makes the flavour even more explosive. It is definitely a must-try.

5. Hertzoggies

These jam-filled puff pastry tartlets are sprinkled with coconut, and just might be the best thing to ever happen to your taste buds. They can also be filled with caramel. If you have a sweet tooth, this is definitely one for you.

6. Boeber

This dessert is made with vermicelli, cinnamon, rose water, sago and cardamom. It is the king of comfort foods, and one of SA’s most common and popular desserts. It is delicious and it must not be heard off that you stepped on SA soil without a taste of Boeber.

7. Asynpoeding

This very traditional sounding dessert is like the less cheerful twin of the Malva Pudding. It contains similar ingredients but contains vinegar which makes it acidic and less sweet. It is a very famous traditional dish in South Africa and might just make you fall in love.

8. Queen Cake

This cake is one of the best and also one of the most popular desserts out of South Africa. The cake is usually made soft and simple, and decorated by sprinkled powdered sugar or plain icing. The texture of a well-made Queens cake will definitely blow your mind.

9. Trifle

This dessert comes in a jelly and custard form which makes it quite easy to eat. Little wonder it is one of the most popular desserts out there. The dish is actually of British descent but has been naturalized as a South African dish, and it is one of SA’s best cold desserts.

10. Sago Pudding

Besides being very easy to make, this dish is also immensely tasty. Made with a light pudding which is cooked in a slow manner inside milk, the Sago pudding eventually flourishes into a ball filled with foam. Cinnamon and vanilla will fill your mouth upon taking a bite, and it just might remind you a bit of rice pudding.

So there you have it! Our top ten amazing desserts to try out at home. Let us know which is your favourite and which you have made.