South African Traditional Steamed Bread

Discover Nosipho’s family recipe – and try your hand at a bread that rises with memory.

“It's a very special meal, one of a very few recipes I was specially taught by my late grandma. I now use this meal to remember her by and all the memories which I now have left of her.”

by Nosipho Nkosi who works in Customer Service in South Africa

From a grandmother’s kitchen in South Africa to Nosipho’s table today: a bread baked in memory, shared with love.

She learned to make it at her grandmother’s side—guided by quiet instructions and loving hands. Some meals linger in the heart long after the last bite, and for Nosipho, this traditional South African steamed bread is one of them.

Passed down from her grandmother, the recipe carries more than just ingredients. It’s a reminder of love, a symbol of resilience, and something she treasures deeply.

Steamed gently rather than baked, the bread is a staple in many South African homes. Nosipho still prepares it just as she was taught: measuring by feel, waiting patiently, and honoring the hands that once guided hers. It’s simple, comforting, and rich with meaning.

Make it on a quiet afternoon, serve it with something hearty, and let it remind you—as it reminds Nosipho—that those we love live on in the meals we carry forward.

Side Dish

Vegetarian

Preparation time: 120 min

Ingredients:

4½ cups cake flour
1½ tsp salt
2 tsp instant dry yeast
4 tsp sugar
2 cups warm water

Preparation:

Mix the flour, sugar, water, yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl to form a very loose dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes by gripping it and slapping it against the sides of the bowl until it no longer sticks to your hands.

Transfer the dough to a large, greased enamel bowl, cover it with cling film, and place it in a warm spot for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Once it has risen, punch the dough down to release the air, then knead it again for another five minutes. Bring water to a boil in a pot large enough to hold the enamel bowl. Once the water is boiling, place the bowl with the dough inside the pot and steam it for one hour.