If you want to prepare a special homemade sweet for your brother on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Kaju Katli is a wonderful choice. This is a classic delicacy whose rich and delectable taste is loved by people of all ages. Preparing sweets at home during festive celebrations brings a special warmth and purity that store-bought treats simply cannot match. You can easily craft soft and mouth-watering Kaju Katli right in your own kitchen by following a straightforward process, adding an extra layer of sweetness to your festive celebrations.
Ingredients Required for Kaju Katli
To make market-style Kaju Katli at home, you will need a few basic ingredients readily available in your pantry. For this recipe, gather 2 cups of cashews, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, half a teaspoon of cardamom powder, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of ghee. Having all these measured components ready beforehand will ensure a smooth and hassle-free cooking experience once you begin preparing the sweet.
Step-by-Step Method to Prepare Kaju Katli
To begin with the first step, take a mixer jar and add 2 cups of cashews to grind them into a powder. While grinding, make sure not to run the mixer continuously. Running it non-stop can leave some cashews in large chunks while turning others into a fine paste. Therefore, pulse it intermittently three to four times and stir it with a spoon in between so that all the cashews are evenly ground. Doing this will yield a dry and fine cashew powder. If you prefer, you can also sift the powder to get an ultra-smooth texture.
Moving on to the second step, place a pan on the stove and add 1 cup of sugar along with an equal measure of water. Once the sugar completely dissolves in the water, wait for about eight minutes, then add the cashew powder and stir it thoroughly. While making Kaju Katli, always keep the flame on medium heat to prevent the mixture from burning. Once the cashew powder blends smoothly into the sugar syrup, add cardamom powder and mix it well. As the syrup continues to cook, the batter will progressively thicken. When the mixture turns into a thick dough-like consistency, turn off the stove.
In the third step, take a clean plate, grease it well with ghee, transfer the batter onto it, and mix it properly. Now, place a sheet of butter paper on another tray or surface and transfer the batter onto the butter paper, spreading it evenly. Place another sheet of butter paper on top of the batter and use a rolling pin to gently roll it out evenly, then leave it aside to cool down completely.
Finally, in the fourth step, once the sheet has cooled down, peel off the top butter paper and gently apply silver leaf over the surface. Now, use a sharp knife to cut the sheet into diamond shapes to give it the classic Kaju Katli appearance. Your homemade Kaju Katli is now completely ready to serve and enjoy. If you are looking to try a different sweet for the occasion, you can also prepare halwai-style Mohanthal sweet using besan and ghee following a similar easy method.
