This is a post that nearly didn’t happen. This was the first time I’d made this recipe and was a trial run attempt. I became dismayed halfway through making it because it seemed as if I wasn’t getting the desired results; the consistency of the dough wasn’t what I wanted, the pictures were boring, and so on. But once I had a chance to review the end results, I was actually pretty happy.
Last week I’d never heard of kaju katli. A co-worker of mine has been exposing me to new Indian ingredients and foods – it’s been quite an experience. When she told me what was in this recipe and the process of making it, I knew I had to give it a try. Kaju katli has a few simple ingredients, is fairly easy to make, and pretty much vegan.
She explained that kaju katli is a very popular Indian dessert made from cashews, sugar, and cardamom (ghee is used but I substituted that out for Earth Balance) that is traditionally eaten during the Indian holiday Diwali. I researched different recipes and found a few variations; some soaked the cashews and processed them into a paste while others ground them into a powder, but the end result was turning these ingredients into a dough. I didn’t want to waste time soaking the cashews so decided to go for the latter.
Grind raw cashews into a powder. If using refrigerated nuts, let them warm to room temperature before processing. I found that a coffee grinder worked well. Make sure not to over process as you don’t want the oils to be released.
Heat water in a sauce pan and stir in sugar. At a low heat, bring to a boil and stir for a few minutes. Keep a bowl of water nearby and test sugar by pouring a drop into the water. The desired consistency has been reached when sugar forms a thread that doesn’t disappear.
Pour cashew powder and cardamom into pan and combine with sugar until a pliable dough forms. The consistency might be grainy but that will disappear as the dough is kneaded. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. If dough seems dry, add a teaspoon of vegan butter.
Roll the dough out between two pieces of wax paper to a thickness of 1/8″ (3mm). Use a sharp knife to cut into diamond shapes. Let them cool completely, eat or store in an airtight container
Kaju Katli 2015-01-18 12:58:05 Save Recipe Print Ingredients- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp. cardamom
- 1 tsp. vegan butter (optional)
- 1. Grind cashews into a powder using a spice or coffee grinder. Don't over process as that will release the oils.
- 2. In a sauce pan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil over a low heat. Continually stir for several minutes. With a bowl of water nearby, test sugar by pouring a drop into the water. The desired consistency has been reached when sugar forms a thread that doesn't disappear.
- 3.Remove pan from heat and add in cashew powder and cardamom. Mix until a pliable dough forms. Dough will be grainy but will smooth out with kneading. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
- 4. Roll dough out between 2 sheets of wax paper with a rolling pin to a thickness of 1/8" (3mm).
- 5. Cut into diamond shapes. Let cool completely before separating pieces.
- *A teaspoon of vegan butter can be added if dough feels dry.
- *Store any uneaten pieces in an airtight container.
