Shakarpara is a popular Indian sweet snack made from a simple dough of all-purpose flour, semolina, ghee, and flavored with cardamom. The dough is rolled out, cut into diamond or square shapes, and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Optionally, the fried pieces are coated in a sugar syrup or dusted with powdered sugar for extra sweetness. Shakarpara is commonly enjoyed during festive occasions like Diwali and Holi, and it makes for a delightful treat paired with tea or coffee.
Here’s a basic recipe to make Shakarpara:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- 1/4 cup semolina (sooji/rava)
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter), melted
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Oil for deep frying
- Water as needed
For Sugar Syrup (optional):
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
- Preparing the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, semolina, melted ghee, and cardamom powder. Mix well until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add water and knead the mixture into a firm dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes.
- Rolling and Cutting: After the resting time, divide the dough into small portions. Roll each portion into a thin circle (about 1/4 inch thickness). Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the rolled dough into diamond or square shapes.
- Frying: Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the cut dough pieces in batches. Fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy. Make sure to stir occasionally for even frying. Once fried, remove them using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Optional Sugar Coating: If you prefer your shakarpara to have a sugar coating, you can make a simple sugar syrup. In a separate pan, heat sugar and water until the sugar dissolves completely and the syrup thickens slightly. Dip the fried shakarpara in the sugar syrup or drizzle the syrup over them. Alternatively, you can also dust the shakarpara with powdered sugar.
- Cooling and Storing: Let the shakarpara cool down completely before serving. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for several days.
Shakarpara is a delightful treat enjoyed by people of all ages and is perfect for serving during festive occasions or as a snack with tea or coffee. Enjoy!
