The South African Crunchy Buttermilk Rusks

Crunchy, golden and deeply satisfying, these homemade rusks strike the perfect balance between wholesome and indulgent. Made with buttermilk, bran and a hint of honey, they’re slow-dried for maximum crunch and designed for serious dunking.

Perfect as a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea or coffee, rusks are an all-purpose treat found in most South African homes. There are many variations, from traditional to health-conscious muesli rusks.

You can substitute some of the All-Bran flakes with regular unprocessed bran, and feel free to add nuts, cranberries, raisins, or a combination of them to enhance the flavour. Just keep in mind that consistency is key. The rusks are best dried out overnight at a very low oven setting, ensuring they turn out perfectly crisp

Ingredients:

• 1kg Self-raising flour
• 5ml salt
• 5ml baking powder
• 500g butter
• 500g All-Bran flakes crushed
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp honey or more if you prefer a sweeter taste
• 500ml buttermilk
• 1 cup of mixed Cranberries, Raisins, Nuts or Goji Berries

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and lightly grease a small oven dish.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the butter until crumbly.
3. Whisk the eggs and buttermilk, add to the dry mix and stir until just combined.
4. Pour into the prepared dish and bake for 45 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
5. Cool slightly, slice, then arrange on a baking tray and dry out in the oven at 100°C for 6–8 hours or overnight until crisp.

South African Classic Buttermilk Rusks

Irene Muller

With the holiday season upon us, there’s no better time to get baking. Our traditional South African buttermilk rusks with a healthy twist are the perfect place to start.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine South African

Servings 25

Ingredients

  

• 1kg Self-raising flour
• 5ml salt
• 5ml baking powder
• 500g butter
• 500g All-Bran flakes crushed
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp honey or more if you prefer a sweeter taste
• 500ml buttermilk
• 1 cup of mixed Cranberries, Raisins, Nuts or Goji Berries

Instructions

 

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F)
  
• Lightly grease a small oven dish.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder).

  Rub the grated butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

  Beat the eggs and buttermilk together, then add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.

  Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

  Once baked, allow the rusk to cool slightly before cutting it into slices

  Transfer the slices to a baking tray. Place in the oven to dry out at a very low setting (100°C) for 6-8 hours, preferably overnight

Transfer the slices to a baking tray. Place in the oven to dry out at a very low setting (100°C) for 6-8 hours, preferably overnight!

Keyword All-Bran, Buttermilk, Cranberries