Every time you visit a mithai store to buy a sweet that is bite-sized, comforting, elegant, and creamy, the first thing you might think of is most certainly kaju katli. Made with cashews and a sweetener, kaju katli is among the most beloved sweet treats in India in many regions. Since it is made with only one basic ingredient, kaju katli is perceived as the most authentic treat that beautifully portrays the integrity of that ingredient. Cashews are naturally creamy, nutty, and slightly sweet, which is what makes kaju katli such a delightful snack. More than just any dessert, kaju katli is perfect to savor any time of the day and it gives you a divine experience every time you have it.
There are only a few such desserts that keeps intact the integrity of its original ingredient and beautifully encapsulates and refines the original flavor without much use of a sweetener. Kaju katli is loved for its pleasant flavor that exudes the nutty aroma of the roasted cashew nuts. In every bite, you can feel the creaminess melting in your mouth and giving you a lasting pleasure. The small diamond shapes gives kaju katli an elegant touch that makes it appear as a carefully curated gourmet dessert. After learning how it is made, you will not believe how simple the recipe for kaju katli can be and how easy it is to make it at home with only a few simple steps.
The classic recipe for kaju katli is made with only cashews, water, and sugar to sweeten things a little bit. Dry cashews are ground to a fine powder and then cooked in the sugar syrup made with sugar and water. The mixture is stirred well until it gets a creamy, thick consistency. After that, flavor additions like cardamom powder, ghee, rose water, and kewra water can be added to improve the flavor even further, but keeping the essence of cashew intact can also be a good thing if you want to enjoy the authentic essence of cashews. The paste is then spread out on a greased tray or a lined baking sheet to set it into a solid form. Above it, silver varak is added to bring the classic silver finish as you get in the sweet shop. Once the barfi is set, it is ready to cut into the diamond shapes and enjoyed as an anytime sweet treat.
Kaju katli is a simple and sophisticated dessert that allows you to try many flavor experiments to enhance the feel of the dessert. Among all the flavors you can add to this recipe, chocolate will certainly be the most delightful and rich addition. Chocolate, with its deep, bold, and nuanced flavor, complements the nutty essence of kaju katli and enhances the pleasure of the overall treat. Chocolate brings a deep sensation to every bite and complements the sweetness of kaju katli with its bittersweet flavor. You will not believe how great kaju katli with cashews and silk chocolate can taste when a contemporary ingredient like chocolate is added to it.
Here is a simple step-by-step recipe to make kaju katli with cashews and silk chocolate that you can make at home when the occasion calls for a sweet, elegant, and homemade delight.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Dry the cashews completely without roasting them. For this, you can leave the cashews on a tray to let them air dry in indirect sunlight. Blend the cashews to a fine powder in a grinder using short pulses. Avoid overblending as it can release the oil and make a paste instead of a powder.
Add sugar and water in a pan. Heat on medium flame until the sugar is dissolved. Cook until the syrup reaches 1-string consistency. This happens when you take a small amount of syrup in between your index finger and thumb, rub it a little and pull the fingers apart. If one sticky sting form then the syrup is ready.
Lower the flame and stir in the prepared cashew powder. Mix well and stir continuously on low heat. Cook for a few minutes.
Chop Dairy Milk Silk chocolate into pieces. Once the cashew mixture is slightly thick, add the chocolate pieces. Stir until the chocolate melts and blends completely into the mixture.
Keep stirring until the mixture reaches a thick consistency and leaves the sides of the pan. Stir in cardamom powder for flavor.
Transfer the mixture onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Let it cool slightly before kneading to a soft dough. Roll it with a rolling pin between parchment paper so it doesn't stick to the rolling pin. Roll to about ¼ inch thickness.
Cut it to diamond shapes, decorate with silver varak, and serve!
Prepare this kaju katli with cashews and silk chocolate at home to relish the creamy elegance with deep flavor. Follow the recipe and make a sweet treat at home that tastes better than the store-bought sweets.