Food Recipes

Nankhatai

# **Nankhatai (Indian Shortbread Cookies)**

### **Food Categories:**

Dessert, Snack, Baked Goods, Sweet, Festival Food, Vegetarian

### **Best Served As:**

Breakfast accompaniment, Tea-time snack, Dessert

### **Meal Type:**

Snack / Dessert

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# **Ingredients (Makes 15–18 cookies)**

### **Dry Ingredients**

* 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
* ½ cup gram flour (besan) – optional but traditional
* ½ cup fine semolina (rava/sooji)
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* 1 pinch salt
* ½ teaspoon cardamom powder

### **Wet & Sweet Ingredients**

* ¾ cup powdered sugar
* ½ cup ghee (clarified butter), at room temperature
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon cardamom essence (optional)

### **Topping (Optional)**

* Chopped pistachios or almonds
* Saffron strands

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# **Instructions**

## **Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough**

1. In a mixing bowl, add **ghee and powdered sugar**.
2. Whisk or beat until the mixture becomes **light, creamy, and fluffy** (about 3–4 minutes).
3. In another bowl, sift **all-purpose flour, gram flour, semolina, cardamom powder, baking soda, and salt**.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture into the ghee-sugar mixture.
5. Combine gently using your hands until a **soft, smooth dough** forms.

* If the dough feels too dry, add **1–2 teaspoons of milk**.
   * If too soft, add **1–2 tablespoons of flour**.

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## **Step 2: Shape the Nankhatai**

1. Preheat the oven to **170°C (340°F)**.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
3. Divide the dough into **equal-sized balls**.
4. Gently flatten each ball slightly to shape them like traditional Nankhatai.
5. Add chopped nuts on top and lightly press.

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## **Step 3: Bake**

1. Place the cookies on the tray, leaving space between each.
2. Bake at **170°C (340°F)** for **12–18 minutes**, depending on size.
3. Remove when the edges turn **light golden**, but the center still looks soft.
4. Allow them to **cool completely** — they will firm up as they cool.

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## **Step 4: Serve & Store**

* Serve with **tea, coffee, or milk**, or enjoy as a festive sweet.
* Store in an **airtight container** for up to **2–3 weeks**.

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# **Summary**

* **Categories:** Dessert, Snack, Baked Goods, Sweet, Festival Food, Vegetarian
* **Best Time to Eat:** Breakfast accompaniment, Tea-time, Dessert after meals
* **Meal Type:** Snack / Dessert

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Butter Cookies Recipe (Whole Wheat Butter Biscuits)

## Butter Cookies Recipe (Whole Wheat Butter Biscuits)

### Description

These Whole Wheat Butter Biscuits are crisp on the edges, slightly soft inside, and rich with buttery flavor. Made with whole wheat flour, they are a healthier alternative to classic butter cookies while still being perfect for tea-time, festive occasions, or light snacking.

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## Ingredients

* Whole Wheat Flour (Atta) – 1 cup
* Unsalted Butter (softened, at room temperature) – ½ cup (100–110 g)
* Powdered Sugar – ½ cup
* Milk – 2 to 3 tablespoons (as needed)
* Vanilla Essence – 1 teaspoon
* Baking Powder – ½ teaspoon
* Salt – a pinch

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## Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and powdered sugar.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together using a whisk or spatula until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and fluffy.
3. Add vanilla essence and mix well.

### Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

4. In a separate bowl, sift together whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.

### Step 3: Form the Dough

6. Add milk little by little and gently mix to form a soft, smooth dough.

* Do not knead too much; just bring the dough together.
7. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes for better shaping.

### Step 4: Shape the Cookies

8. Preheat the oven to **180°C (350°F)** for 10 minutes.
9. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
10. Roll the dough into small balls, place them on the tray, and gently flatten using a fork or your fingers.

* You can also roll the dough and cut it using cookie cutters.

### Step 5: Bake

11. Bake in the preheated oven for **12–15 minutes** or until the edges turn light golden.
12. Do not overbake; the cookies will firm up as they cool.

### Step 6: Cool and Store

13. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
14. Store in an airtight container once cooled.

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## Serving Suggestions

* Serve with tea, coffee, or warm milk
* Ideal for kids’ snacks and festive gifting

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## Tips & Variations

* You can add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or cardamom powder for flavor variation.
* For a slightly crisper texture, bake for an extra 2 minutes.
* Replace powdered sugar with jaggery powder for a more rustic taste.

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## Food Categories

Cookies, Biscuits, Baked Goods, Vegetarian Snack, Tea-Time Snack, Eggless Desserts

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## Best Time to Eat (Category)

Breakfast, Evening Snack, Tea Time, Dessert

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## Meal Type

Snack / Dessert

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Recipes for "Cookies"

Nankhatai

Butter Cookies Recipe (Whole Wheat Butter Biscuits)

Food Recipes App