Kaju Katli Recipe

Why It Works

Cooking the syrup to a precise temperature ensures that, when mixed with the ground cashews, it will create a dough with just the right consistency.
Rolling the cashew dough between sheets of parchment keeps it from sticking to the rolling pin and countertop.
Flavorless silver leaf is a pretty addition, though totally optional.

Kaju katli is a cookie-like Indian sweet made from a dough consisting largely of ground cashew nuts; the name translates as "cashew slice." It's dense, milky, nutty, and less sweet than many other Indian pastries. The dough is cut into diamond shapes and, if you desire, can be topped with an edible silver foil known as vark.

This is one of the most popular sweets to make for special occasions, like festivals and weddings, and especially for the holiday Diwali. Aside from being delicious, kaju katli are very simple to make and can be ready in minutes.

Shining a Light on Diwali Treats: An Opinionated Guide

Active: 30 mins

Total: 60 mins

Serves: 30 servings

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2 cups (250g) whole raw cashew nuts
2 tablespoons (15g) whole-milk powder
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
10 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons (125g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (60ml) water
Rounded 1/2 teaspoon ghee
Edible silver leaf or vark, optional

In a blender, grind cashews to a fine powder, taking care not to grind them so thoroughly that the nuts release their oil. Place cashew powder in a medium mixing bowl, then whisk in milk powder and cardamom.
In a 2-quart saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium-high heat until sugar has melted. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 230°F (110°C) on a probe or candy thermometer, about 4 minutes. Alternatively, you can judge the doneness of the candy syrup by placing a drop of it on your thumb, making sure to let it cool enough first that you don't burn yourself. Allow the drop of syrup to cool to room temperature, then pinch it between your thumb and index finger and pull them apart; the syrup is done when a single strand stretches between your fingers without breaking. (This is called a "one-string consistency" in Indian candy-making terminology.)
Turn heat to low and add cashew mixture, stirring continuously with a heat-resistant flexible spatula. The mixture should pull away from the sides of the pan and form a loose ball. Add ghee and mix well for a few seconds, then remove pan from heat.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on a clean work surface and carefully scoop hot cashew dough on top. Set a second piece of parchment paper on top of the cashew dough. Knead the hot cashew dough through the paper for a few seconds to help bring it together. Using a rolling pin, roll cashew dough out into a single even sheet about 1/8 inch (3mm) thick. Remove top layer of parchment.
Let dough stand 1 minute. If desired, carefully lay edible silver leaf (silver vark) all over the dough. Then, using a sharp knife, cut dough into diamond-shaped pieces 1 to 1 1/2 inches (2.5 to 4cm) long. Allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Special equipment

Probe thermometer, 2-quart saucepan, rolling pin

Make-Ahead and Storage

The kaju katli can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

This Recipe Appears In

Shining a Light on Diwali Treats: An Opinionated Guide

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
66	Calories
4g	Fat
7g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 30
Amount per serving
Calories	66
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 1g	4%
Cholesterol 1mg	0%
Sodium 3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	3%
Dietary Fiber 0g	1%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 8mg	1%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 62mg	1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Ingredients

Special equipment

Make-Ahead and Storage

This Recipe Appears In

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