Creamy South African Melkos

Ingredients

• 2 cup Cake flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Butter (cold or room temperature, for rubbing into flour)
• 1 L Milk (Full cream preferred)
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 0.25 cup Sugar (Adjust to taste)
• Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp Additional butter (for serving)

Steps

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl, sift together 2 cups of cake flour and 1 teaspoon of salt.

2. 2

   Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

3. 3

   In a large pot, bring 1 liter of milk and one cinnamon stick to a gentle boil over medium heat.

4. 4

   Once the milk is simmering, begin adding the flour and butter mixture a little at a time. Stir constantly or use a whisk to ensure small lumps (frikkels) form rather than one large mass.

5. 5

   Add 1/4 cup of sugar to the pot and stir well to combine.

6. 6

   Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the bottom from burning, until the flour is cooked through and the mixture has thickened to a porridge-like consistency.

7. 7

   Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

8. 8

   Pour the Melkos into bowls and serve hot, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and an extra dollop of butter if desired.

Notes

Melkos is a classic South African comfort food. The key is the 'frikkels' (the little dough lumps) which give it its characteristic texture. If the mixture becomes too thick, you can add a splash more milk.

Nutrition per serving

• melkos
• milktart
• dessert
• breakfast
• south african
• comfort food
• vegetarian