South African Rusks Recipe

There’s something deeply comforting about a rusk dipped in coffee or tea—especially when it’s homemade. Whether you’re looking for an easy rusks recipe or want to try a South African rusks recipe, this one ticks all the boxes. With just a few ingredients, and some customisable options, these buttermilk rusks (with cherries and pecan nuts) will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.

The History Behind South African Buttermilk Rusks

Rusks date back to the 1600s, when Dutch settlers needed a way to preserve bread on long journeys. Over time, what began as a practical food became a cultural icon. Today, a South African buttermilk rusks recipe like this one is enjoyed with tea or coffee across homes worldwide.

Rusks are a big part of South African food heritage. If you’re curious, check out this overview of South African food culture from SAHistory.org.za.

In particular, this South African buttermilk rusks recipe includes cherries and pecans for a unique twist, but it’s also endlessly adaptable.

Ingredients

• 1kg self-raising flour, sifted
• 10ml baking powder
• 10ml salt
• 500g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 500ml full-cream milk
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (to make homemade buttermilk)
• 150 g Cherries
• 150g Pecan nuts
• Optional: or replace cherries and pecan nuts with same quantity dried fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut or spices (see below)

How to Make Buttermilk for This South African Rusks Recipe

To make your own buttermilk, add the lemon juice to the milk and let it sit for 10 minutes. The milk will curdle slightly – don’t worry, this is exactly what you want! It adds a beautiful tang and richness to the rusks.

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and grease a 23cm x 23cm baking tin.
2. In a large bowl, sift the flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. Rub in the butter using your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Meanwhile, mix the homemade buttermilk, condensed milk and brown sugar in a separate bowl.
5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix using a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. At this stage, fold in the cherries and pecan nuts (or other options) in here.
6. Press into the tin and bake for 50 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
7. Let cool slightly (but not completely) and gently turn out onto a flat surface. Slice into even sized fingers.
8. Reduce oven to 90°C. Place rusks on a baking tray and dry them for 8 hours. Afterward, check consistency. If it’s still too soft continue going, checking consistency every 40 minutes.

Tip: Don’t be fooled if the rusks still feel soft after drying. Let them cool completely. If needed, return them to the oven for another 40 minutes at 90°C until perfectly dried.

Why You’ll Love This South African Buttermilk Rusks Recipe

This easy rusks recipe is endlessly adaptable. For example, try adding:

• Raisins or chopped dried apricots
• Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
• Chopped almonds or walnuts
• Grated coconut
• Spices like cinnamon or ginger

The Dunking Tradition

In South Africa, rusks aren’t just food—they’re part of a morning ritual. Made for dunking, they hold their shape without disintegrating, making them perfect for rooibos, strong coffee, or even hot chocolate. In fact, many families pass down their rusk recipes for generations.

So, why not share our South African Buttermilk Rusks Recipe with friends and family to enjoy?

Storage Tips

Once dried and cooled, store your homemade rusks using this traditional South African buttermilk rusks recipe in an airtight container or tin. That way, they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 weeks, and they also make fantastic edible gifts.

This South African buttermilk rusks recipe is perfect whether you’re a first-time baker or a beskuit veteran. It captures the taste of home, the tradition of sharing, and the joy of dunking. If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to check out our other traditional South African recipes on Just Cook Kai.

More South African Recipes You’ll Love

Keen to try other traditional favourites? Then you’ll love our easy pannekoek recipe. It’s a quick and delicious South African-style pancake—perfect for breakfast or dessert.