Kaju Katli is a quintessential Indian sweet made primarily from finely ground cashew nuts and sugar syrup. This delicacy boasts a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a subtle nutty flavor. Often adorned with edible silver leaf, it’s cut into diamond-shaped pieces and savored during festivals, celebrations, or as a delightful dessert, showcasing the rich taste of cashews and a hint of cardamom.
Here’s a detailed recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cashew nuts (kaju)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) for greasing
- Edible silver leaf (optional) for decoration
Instructions:
- Prepare Cashew Paste:
- Grind the cashew nuts in a food processor or a grinder until you get a fine powder. Be careful not to over-grind, or it might release oil and turn into a paste.
- Prepare Sugar Syrup:
- In a non-stick pan, add sugar and water. Stir on medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Bring the sugar syrup to a boil. To check the consistency, drop a little syrup into a bowl of water – it should form a soft ball when rolled between your fingers (approximately 1-string consistency).
- Once you reach the desired consistency, reduce the heat to low.
- Mix Cashew Powder and Sugar Syrup:
- Add the powdered cashews to the sugar syrup on low heat. Mix well to ensure no lumps are formed.
- Continuously stir the mixture to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. Cook on low heat.
- Cooking the Mixture:
- Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens. It will gradually start leaving the sides of the pan and form a dough-like consistency.
- Add cardamom powder to enhance the flavor. Mix well.
- Prepare for Shaping:
- Transfer the mixture onto a greased plate or a parchment paper-lined tray.
- Allow it to cool down a bit until it’s warm enough to handle but not too hot.
- Knead and Shape:
- Grease your hands with a little ghee to prevent sticking.
- Knead the warm mixture gently for a few minutes to make it smooth and pliable.
- Roll and Cut:
- Place a butter paper or plastic wrap over the dough and use a rolling pin to roll it evenly into your desired thickness for the Kaju Katli.
- Use a knife to cut it into diamond or square-shaped pieces while it’s still warm.
- Decoration (Optional):
- Place a small piece of edible silver leaf on each Kaju Katli for decoration.
- Serve or Store:
- Let the Kaju Katli cool completely and set for a few hours before serving.
- Once set, carefully remove the pieces and store them in an airtight container. You can place butter paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Enjoy these delicious, melt-in-your-mouth Kaju Katli as a festive treat or a delightful dessert!
