Easy Nankhatai Recipe
Nankhatai - A Melt-in-your-mouth Treat for Tea Time
A delightful round biscuit that's as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds! If you're on the lookout for a simple, delicious, and hassle-free cookie recipe to whip up at home, look no further than nankhatai. This traditional Indian shortbread cookie, infused with the aromatic essence of cardamom, boasts a rich, buttery texture that practically dissolves on your tongue—making it the perfect accompaniment to your tea or coffee break.
Whether you prefer using atta, maida, or gram flour, nankhatai can be easily crafted with various flour combinations, bringing the authentic taste of Indian bakeries right into your kitchen. And the best part? You don't need any extraordinary baking skills to master this recipe. Simply bake the dough using your microwave or stovetop, and voila! You'll have a batch of delectable cookies ready to enjoy.
For an extra touch of indulgence, feel free to garnish your nankhatai with dry fruits and saffron—adding a festive flair that's perfect for sharing with loved ones during special occasions. So, without further ado, let's dive into our easy nankhatai recipe and get ready to savour the irresistible flavours of this beloved Indian treat!
Homemade Nankhatai Recipe
Making nankhatai is simple. Though baking may take some time, if you want to relish these buttery biscuits, the time is absolutely worth it! You can prepare the dough, rest it for a night, and make the cookies the next day or the same day you wish!
Nankhatai Ingredients
So, let's start by comprehending the Nankhatai recipe and knowing the ingredients required. We use whole wheat atta or maida, besan, and semolina here. You alter the proportions of these ingredients based on your preference.
• 1 cup of atta or maida
• ⅓ cup besan
• 1 tablespoon sooji/semolina/rava
• ⅓ cup ghee
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 pinch cinnamon powder
• 1 pinch of baking powder or soda
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch nutmeg powder
• Chopped pistachios and almonds
Do you know why we add besan and sooji to nankhatai?
Well, besan enhances the cookies' flavour. It gives a rich aroma to the cookies. Likewise, semolina adds crunchiness. You can use either chiroti rava or regular sooji. However, if you don’t have sooji at your place, you can replace it with nut flour or other flour or skip it altogether.
Step-by-Step Recipe of Nankhatai Cookies
Follow the steps stated below to make Nankhatai at home:-
Step 1- Making the Dough
Follow the below steps to make the dough for Nankhatai biscuits:
Take atta or maida in a mixing bowl.
Add besan or gram flour and sooji. Sift the dry ingredients and keep them aside.
Now, it is time for other dry ingredients. Throw cardamom powder, baking soda, nutmeg powder, and salt. If you use maida, you can avoid adding baking soda. But with atta, adding soda is a must, or else the cookies will become dense.
Add sugar and mix all the dry ingredients properly.
To make a soft dough, pour ghee into three parts.
Note: The nankhatai dough must bind together properly and not be dry or crumbly. If your dough is dry and crumbly, you need extra ghee. Add a spoonful of ghee and knead the dough again.
Step 2- Shape and Bake Nankhatai
After preparing the dough for making nankhatai, follow the below steps to shape and bake it:-
Divide the dough into twelve parts and roll them into smooth balls.
Grease parchment paper. Flatten the balls you prepared from the dough and place them on the baking tray. Garnish the cookie dough with chopped pistachios, cashews, almonds, or other nuts and seeds.
Fun Step: Take a fork or skewer and do some artwork. Use your creative mind to give innovative designs to the flattened balls.
Preheat your oven for 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Put your tray full of flattened balls and bake them for ten minutes. When baked, the biscuits will turn golden in colour.
Shift these freshly baked cookies to a wire rack and let them cool. Once cooled, keep them in airtight steel or glass containers.
Make Nankhatai Without an Oven or Microwave
If you do not have a microwave or oven, do not worry. You can still make these buttery cookies on a gas stove. You only need a deep-bottomed kadai, pan, or pressure cooker.
Follow the below process to make nankhatai without an oven or microwave:-
Fill one inch of the kadhai, pan, or pressure cooker base with salt and place it on a stand.
Preheat for 10 to 15 minutes. Follow the process above to prepare the dough and make the flattened balls.
Place a stand and decorate all the flattened balls on a plate. Ensure you put the biscuits in the centre.
Close the lid and bake on a low flame. Keep checking after every ten minutes. If you have an idli stand, you can use it to make nankhatai. In that case, you won’t need a plate or stand. Using the idli stand is a good option.
Conclusion
Nankhatai is a simple biscuit with a rich buttery taste and crumbled texture. This buttery snack is easy to make at home. You can personalise it with multiple toppings and flavours. So, this time, treat your near and dear ones with a box of nankhatai as a gift. Making and savouring nankhatai at home is a wonderful way to celebrate Indian culture and cuisine and enjoy a comfy tea time with your loved ones.
FAQs
1. What can you serve with Nankhatai?
You can serve nankhatai as a standalone snack or with tea or coffee. Additionally, you can serve it with chutney, jam, or raita for a sweet and savoury combination.
2. Can you prepare nankhatai with whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can prepare nankhatai with whole wheat flour instead of maida. Nonetheless, the texture and taste might vary slightly from the authentic version. You might also have to adjust the amount of ghee, butter, or sugar you put in accordingly.
3. How to make nankhatai in advance?
Nankhatai is prepared with simple basic ingredients readily available at everyone's home. You can make the dough in advance by following the above-mentioned recipe and bake until it turns golden or crisp. Lastly, store them in an airtight container and enjoy them with your friends and family on special occasions or as a snack.
