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Kaju Katli is a classic Indian sweet. It is a thin, melt-in-the-mouth, and rich slice of fudgy cashew.
In Kaju Katli, 'Kaju' means 'Cashews' and 'Katli' means 'thin slice'. So eating it is like eating a delicately sweetened cashew slice.
Kaju Katli is also known as Kaju Barfi, a traditional Indian sweet available in all halwai stores or sweet stores. They are diamond-shaped and made from simple and very few ingredients like cashew powder, sugar, water, ghee, and cardamom. They are covered in silver foil or as popularly known as silver vark.
It's one of the few expensive sweets from India and loved by all. Silver varak is one of its attractions for the kids.
This is one of the most popular sweets that is made for any special occasion like weddings, parties, or festivals. But it has a very significant place in Diwali and is often offered as a gift during this season.
I still remember my Mom and Dad getting the Kaju Katli box as a token of appreciation from their offices during the Diwali festival. Sometimes the box used to be filled with other nuts and sweets, but Kaju Katli was the only one we used to fight over and it used to be finished in no time.
Kaju Katli is my son's favorite sweets, so much so that he doesn't even share it with anyone. This is the only thing he asks his grandparents to get from India whenever they visit.
When we moved to the US, Kaju Katli was not easily available in our close vicinity. We had to travel far to get it and even then it didn't have the same taste and texture as that of the one in India.
So finally for my son, I attempted to make Kaju Katli at home. I did face some hurdles during the process.
My first attempt at making Kaju Katli was good but not exceptional. Over the years I tried to perfect the recipe until I finally nailed it.
So let me share the recipe for Kaju Katli. There are certain key points you need to be careful about while making it. Follow these simple pointers and you will have a perfect Kaju Katli.
What type of cashew should you use for Kaju Katli?
I would always recommend using whole cashews of top quality. It's not like you cannot make Kaju Katli from broken cashews, but most of the time the broken cashews are not of good quality and have many dark or bad quality pieces in them.
Also, the cashews need to be clean. So always check if all the cashews are clean and remove the ones that have dark marks or some shells on them.
How to make cashew powder or cashew flour?
Grind the cashews in small batches in a mixer grinder or a spice grinder. The best option is to use a spice grinder as it makes finer powder in a short time.
While grinding it, pulse it at short intervals. This will prevent the motor from heating up.
This is a very important point as when the motor heats up or when you grind cashews for a longer duration it releases its fat thus making cashew butter or cashew paste instead of powder or flour.
After grinding it's equally important to sieve the flour. We need a fine cashew flour or powder for this recipe.
The fine flour will give the Kaju Katli a smooth texture and melt in the mouth consistency.
Why to use Milk Powder in Kaju Katli?
You can always make a Kaju Katli without milk powder and still get good texture and taste. However, it is important to add milk powder to get the taste and texture of a halwai or sweet store.
Milk powder highlights the flavors of Kaju katli and gives it the smooth creamy taste you find in the store-bought sweet.
Key Focus Points
- Sugar syrup should be cooked to single string consistency.
- To check the consistency of syrup, take few drops in a small plate and let it cool down a bit. Then using your thumb and forefinger take a drop in between and stretch it. If a single string forms then its perfect.
- Switch off the flame after adding cashew flour and milk powder.
- Use a non stick mat or a food grade plastic to knead the dough.
- Kneading the dough is very crucial for smooth melt in the mouth Kaju Katli.
- Adding a teaspoon of ghee enhances flavor and texture.
Kaju Katli
Equipment
- Frying pan / kadhai
- Spatula
- Silicon mat / Food grade plastic sheet
- Rolling Pin
- Knife
- sieve
- Bowl
- Grinder
Ingredients
- 250 gm Cashew powder / Cashew flour 2 cups
- 40 gm Milk powder 4 tbsp
- 200 gm Sugar
- 100 ml Water
- 2 teaspoon Ghee
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom Extract Optional use ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 4-5 Silver Varak / Edible Silver foil optional
Instructions
- Ingredients
- Grind the cashews in small batches to make cashew flour / Cashew powder. Do not over grind it otherwise the cashews will release fat / oil. You don't want to end up with cashew paste.
- Sift the grinded cashews and re-grind the bigger coarse pieces.
- In a bowl mix the cashew powder and milk powder.
- Add sugar and water to a pan and cook it on medium heat. Keep stirring to combine well.
- Let the sugar water come to a boil. After few minutes you will see a lot of bubbles on top and the syrup will thicken a bit.
- Reduce to heat and take a small drop in a bowl or plate. Let it cool a little.
- Check the consistency of sugar by taking the cooled drop between you thumb and forefinger and stretch it apart. If you get one string consistency then its cooked perfectly.
- Add the Cashew powder and milk powder mixture to the sugar syrup and switch off the heat.
- Mix in the dry ingredients and sugar syrup to make a smooth dough.
- Add Elaichi / Cardamom extract and ghee to the dough and mix it all together.
- Ghee makes the mixture smooth and also adds some shine to the Kaju Katli.
- If you are using Silicon / baking mat then pour the dough over it and spread it well to cool it. Otherwise spread the mixture in the pan so that it cools off quickly.
- Once the dough as cooled a little, start kneading the dough with the help of silicon mat. Do not use your hands directly. The silicon mat protects you from the heat as well has helps maintain the color of the sweet.
- Alternatively if you are using a food grade plastic then put the cooled dough on the plastic sheet and kneed it to a smooth texture with the help of the plastic.
- This step helps soften the dough and take out any lumps or hardness from the mixture resulting in smooth melt in the mouth texture.
- Now roll out the dough on the plastic sheet or silicon sleeve till its about ¼ inch thick.
- Not let it cool and dry out for another 20-30 mins.
- Check the rolled out dough after 15 mins, in case its already cooled of and dried a bit then cut the rolled dough in the Katli shape/ Diamond shape. Be careful to not let the dough dry out for longer time otherwise it will be difficult to make proper cuts in it.
- If the surface is dried a little then lightly brush it with ghee. This will help the varak to stick to it easily.
- Cover the cut pieces with silver varak. Separate them and then store them in a air tight container.
- They will stay good outside for a couple of day and last for about 3 weeks in refrigerator.
Notes
- Using cardamom / elaichi extract gives the Kaju Katli a very good flavor as well as maintain the creamy color.
- You can add rosewater to the sugar syrup.
- Varak is just a decorative piece and doesnt change or impact flavors.
- You can directly use cashew flour that is available in the market for this recipe.
- Do not skip sieving the flour.
- You can skip milk powder.
- One string consistency of sugar is important for this recipe.
- If you do not have any plastic sheet or silicon mat then you can kneed it dough directly with your hand.
- Single string consistency happens at 223 F to 234 F or 106 C to 112 C.
Sudan Palkar
When we visited last time to US you prepared at home and we all enjoyed. Truly it was very delicious. Please keep trying such delicious dishes. God Bless.
Pallavi chitre
Really my all time favorite sweet.you explained it in depth.Good luck and god bless you.
Laura
That looks really good, something that would look nice on a dessert table at a holiday party or wedding. I love the idea that it features cashews as well.
Pradeep Chitre
Ohh amazing and tempting dish even appears superior to
Our famous Prashant corner kaju marli
Minutely explained the procedure
Deserve special appreciation
prajakta.palkar
Thank you very much
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I’ve had this before and found it quite tasty. Good to know that it would last about 3 weeks in the fridge. Not that it would have a chance too.
prajakta.palkar
Yes true they get finished off within a week.
Samar
Kaju Katli is a must for every festival, but this is the first time, I am seeing the recipe for it.
You should consider treating readers 🙂
prajakta.palkar
😊😊😊
Emman Damian
Kaju Katli is one of my favorite Indian desserts. My friends would always bring this when they came from India. It’s so nice.
blair villanueva
I tasted these sweets before and it was really good! That silver flakes truly eye-catchy. Can also use gold flakes, right?!
prajakta.palkar
Yes you can use gold flakes too
Ruchi Verma
I must say ..this is so easy recipe you have shared, my kids love Kaju Katli a lot but I never tried …now I will try with your recipe for sure
prajakta.palkar
Do let me know how they turned out.
John
Now that looks like something I would enjoy! Cracking dish, well put together! Thanks for sharing.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Mubin Ansari
Wow ! So much of efforts and the result is outstanding
Kaju Katli is my favorite sweet , i never thought that it can be made at home
Thank you for sharing
Monidipa
I love Kaju Katli. I never share it with anyone. But I have never made it at home, I will share this recipe with my sister in law so that she can make it for me!
Melissa
wow those are so pretty!!!
prajakta.palkar
Thanks
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Neelima Palkar
Thanks,Prajakta for the recipe, will definitely try
prajakta.palkar
Thank you. Would love to hear back how it turned out.
Stephanie G.
Omg these are gorgeous!! I would love to try!!
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Nishtha
Love Kaju Katli and it is also my husband’s favorite sweet. Thanks for sharing the recipe, will def try them
Stephanie Pick
These look so delicious and I love the story behind them! Thanks for sharing!
prajakta.palkar
Thanks
Antoinette
it looks oh so pretty and delicious! I'm gonna try making it
The Digital Vixen
It is true that we eat with our eyes first: the simple but incredible photos of this ssweets made me stop and read about it. Will try it myself soon
prajakta.palkar
Thank you very much.
thehappymommie
kaju katli is our all time fav , I dint know it cn be made at home
Renee
This looks delicious and beautiful! What a unique treat!
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Manisha
My husband loves Kaju katli, will try it and surprise him with this dish 🙂
prajakta.palkar
Do let me know how they turn out.
Livi Bee
I have yet to travel to India, but it’s on my bucketlist!! When I visit, I’ll def be giving the Kaju Katli a try. I want it to be authentic, and I doubt I get that experience in the US or with me attempting to make it. There is an Indian restaurant that I frequent here in my town though, so I may even ask them if they sell it.
prajakta.palkar
That is true, you rarely find the same taste in kaju katli here in US, especially the grocery stores. The one in India is way too good. May be you will get a good one at one of the indian sweets and snacks place.
Nkem
I’ve had these treats before for Diwali and they are delicious! Very sweet though.
Lily
Ahh I absolutely love these. My coworkers would bring them in whenever they came back from a trip to India and they’re so addicting. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Stella
I had Indian colleagues at my last , and they always treated us with Kaju katli for special occasions. I remember its exquisite taste. I never even considered that I could make something like that. But your recipe really simplifies it so I may even attempt it.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you so much. Do give it a try, I would love to hear back from you.
The Crumby Vegan
I love Indian sweets and my husband is Indian so he would love it if I made these too! Do you know what I could replace ghee with to make a vegan alternative of this sweet? 💚
prajakta.palkar
Thank you. Yes for vegan you could replace ghee with coconut oil.
Lyosha
looks so pretty and delicious! I would love to have it done, cashew is my favorite in everything
Pradeep Chitre
Ohh very tempting dish
Your skill of preparation is above the professionals
prajakta.palkar
Thank you very much
Anne
It looks delicious! This is the first time I’ve heard about Kaju Katli, the Indian sweet and I like that it has cashew. When I have the chance might try this at home. Oh love your presentation as well.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you very much. Do tell me how they turn out.
Oscar Oganiza
Looks like delicious, Thank you for this recipe! Gonna try this.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Rebecca Lerner
These are so beautiful! And you explained them in a very easy way.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you so much
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Thuy-Linh
That looks absolutely delicious! I will definitely be giving this recipe a try at some point!
thehappymommie
I am very bad at making sweets, I always tend to over cook or under cook it. But Kaju katli is my fav and going to try this recipe
prajakta.palkar
Let me know how they turn out.
Kenneth
Might try this with the family over the weekend. We love anything nuts especially cashew. Thanks for sharing
Kenneth
Might try this with the family over the weekend. We love anything nuts especially cashew. Just worried we don't have varak though. Maybe the original color ifs good Thanks for sharing here!
prajakta.palkar
The silver is just a decoration.
Alyssa e
Yay, I finally found the right recipe to make this! I love Kaju Katli because my Indian friends always brought me this whenever they come back from their vacation. Thanks for sharing!
prajakta.palkar
Welcome
Jessica L
This is fantastic! I’ve been trying to expand my cooking abilities this year and this recipe was a great way to challenge myself but also have fun! And they were so pretty and delicious! I used a sprinkling of powdered sugar for the top coating. Thanks so much!
Anne-Kathrin Walter
I’ve never heard of this before! Looks super tasty and will definitely try it out in the future. Thanks for sharing.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Marjie Mare
I love everything sweet and I would not mind trying these delicious Indian sweets.
Michele
This looks like a Christmas Ornament. I would throw some cranberries on their just to make it look more decorative. I may have to make this around Christmas.
Michele
This looks like a Christmas Ornament. I would throw some cranberries on their just to make it look more decorative. I may have to make this around Christmas.
siennylovesdrawing
thanks so muchf or this detailed sharing, as foodie, I learnt much more about Kaju Katli now. cheers,siennylovesdrawing
prajakta.palkar
Thanks
Hallie
Wow, this looks so yummy! I've never heard of it but would love to try it!
Jennifer Gainer
These are so beautiful I think they would be perfect for our upcoming holidays here in the states, I love the silver snowflake style of design.
prajakta.palkar
Thank you
Kait
Ooh these are so pretty and fun! I love cashews, so I bet they are delicious too. I'd love to add these to a holiday cookie tray!
prajakta.palkar
Thank you. Yes they are so rich and delicious.
Lisa Mitchell
What a delicious-looking recipe! I would need to find a source for ghee and the edible silver. I’m a great fan of cashews, so thanks for sharing this.
Hadassah Treu
I love this Kaju Katli recipe. This looks so delicious! I am glad that I learned something new. Thanks for sharing,
Joanna
These cookies look lovely. Since I love cashews, ghee, and cardamom, my mouth is watering just thinking about them. With the fancy silver foil they would fit any special occasion.