Fan Of Kaju Katli? Dive Deeper Into Its History And A Recipe

Indian mithai has the power to make your heart melt more than any other dessert. Be it any season, time, or day, a box of sweets can cheer anyone up. Even though some traditional sweets only made their due appearance on festivals or significant days, the large availability has made them accessible throughout the year.

One such royal Indian sweet is Kaju Katli. It's not just its shape that is a diamond; Kaju Katli truly is a diamond in a real sense. The mouth-melting sweet that is traditionally made with kaju (cashew nuts), sugar, and ghee, is synonymous with festive celebrations. If you’re a fan of kaju katli, why don’t you read on to know how it was first made and then try your hands at it? 

A Brief History Of Kaju Katli

As per the early scriptures, kaju katli was first made in Indian kitchens during the Mughal era. Since the Mughal rulers were known for their lavish lifestyles and feasts, they often used to experiment with expensive dry fruits and nuts. It is believed that kaju katli was inspired by the Persian confectionery traditions that the Mughal emperors brought with them.

Cashew nuts have always been an expensive dry fruit that symbolises wealth and royalty. To boast the richness, the Mughal kitchens made a dessert with the nuts. Even though the ingredients of the diamond-shaped sweet just include cashew nuts, sugar, and water, it requires a certain level of precision to master the rolling, cutting, and cooking techniques.

So, while in the early stages after its origin, making and serving kaju katli was limited to the royal kitchens, the much-appreciated dessert got its due importance, and the recipe travelled across the walls of the kingdom. As we know today, kaju katli, which literally translates to cashew nut slice, is a one-of-a-kind dessert that has withstood the test of time and has been a classic ever since.

Until the last decade, kaju katli was mostly made at festivals like Diwali or distributed at the time of weddings. But in the 20th century, it was commercialised, and the sweet became more accessible than ever. As of now, apart from the classic kaju katli, you can also enjoy many variations like chocolate kaju katli, orange barfi, and so on.

Also Read: Kitchen Tips: Tips To Make Halwai-Style Kaju Katli At Home This Diwali

How To Make Kaju Katli At Home?

If reading the history of kaju katli made your mouth drool, you have to make it for yourself. With this easy recipe, you can try making it at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cashew nuts
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• Ghee as required
• Edible silver foil for garnishing

Instructions:

1. Finely grind the cashew nuts into a powder.
2. Prepare a sugar syrup by heating some water and dissolving the sugar in it.
3. Once you get the desired consistency, add the cashew nut powder to the sugar syrup and keep stirring.
4. If you spot any lumps, sieve the mixture before it sets.
5. After the mixture is allowed to cool down, you can roll it into a thick sheet.
6. Finally, garnish with edible silver foil and cut into diamond shapes.