TEA beckons and it's your chance to hit pause on the day's chaos and cosy up to something sweet. As the chai steeps, your taste buds might start dreaming of the perfect pairing. While savoury is the norm to being the perfect chai companion, certain sweet treats work well to chai and elevate your evenings. What’s more they are easy to make right at the comfort of your home.
1. Shakarpara
Shakarpara, is a delightful diamond-shaped wonder, a staple in Indian households. Their crispy texture and gentle sweetness make them an ideal partner for your tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons semolina
- A pinch of baking powder
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1/4 cup milk
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Method:
In a bowl, mix all-purpose flour, semolina, and a pinch of baking powder.
Add ghee to the mixture and blend until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually incorporate milk and knead the mixture into a firm dough.
Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut it into diamond shapes.
Heat oil in a pan and fry the diamond pieces until they turn golden and crispy.
Once fried, let them cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
2. Fragrant Nankhatai
Nankhatai are crumbly cookies that hold a special place in slightly sweet snacks. With their fragrant aroma and melt-in-the-mouth texture, they bring a touch of tradition to your tea-time.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup ghee
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnishing
Method:
Preheat your oven to 180°C.
In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, gram flour, powdered sugar, and a pinch of cardamom powder.
Add ghee to the mixture and gently knead it into a soft dough.
Shape the dough into small rounds and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Gently press chopped nuts onto each cookie for added texture.
Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes or until they turn a light golden hue.
Let them cool before enjoying their crumbly, aromatic goodness with your tea.
3. Besan Ladoo
Besan ladoos are a testament to the magic of simple ingredients. Their nutty flavour and granular texture make them a wonderful pairing with your tea.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gram flour (besan)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup ghee
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnishing
Method:
Heat ghee in a pan and roast the gram flour on low heat until it turns aromatic and changes colour.
Let the roasted gram flour cool slightly before adding powdered sugar and a pinch of cardamom powder.
Mix well to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
Shape the mixture into small, delectable rounds while it's still warm. Press chopped nuts onto each ladoo for a delightful crunch.
Allow your besan ladoos to set before savouring their rich, nutty taste alongside your tea.
4. Kesar Pista Biscuits
Kesar Pista Biscuits, with their enchanting saffron and pistachio aroma, are a sublime treat for your tea-time moments. Their delicate texture and subtle sweetness make them a perfect match for your tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- A pinch of saffron strands
- 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
Method:
Preheat your oven to 180°C. In a bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add a pinch of saffron strands and mix to infuse the butter with its aroma and colour. Gradually incorporate all-purpose flour to form a soft dough. Gently knead in the chopped pistachios, ensuring they're evenly distributed.
Roll out the dough to your desired thickness and cut it into elegant shapes. Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes or until they turn a delicate golden hue. Let them cool before indulging.
5. Kesar Dry Fruit Biscuits
Kesar Dry Fruit Biscuits, those elegant jewels of fragrance and flavour, are a perfect match for your tea-time ritual. Their delicate texture and saffron-infused aroma create a harmonious fusion that delight the senses.
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
A pinch of saffron strands
A handful of mixed dry fruits (such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios), finely chopped
Method:
Preheat your oven to 180°C.
In a bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
Crush saffron strands between your fingers and add them to the mixture for a fragrant infusion.
Gradually add all-purpose flour and knead gently to form a soft dough.
Incorporate the finely chopped mixed dry fruits, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Roll out the dough and cut it into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes or until they turn a delicate golden hue.
Let them cool before enjoying.
As you relish these dry Indian sweet treats, let the flavours and textures seamlessly blend with your tea, creating a symphony of delight in every sip and bite. Whether you're sharing these treats with friends or enjoying a quiet moment of solitude, these exquisite delicacies promise to enhance your tea-time experience and leave you with memories as sweet as the treats themselves