FoodLifestyle / Infotainment

✨ Golden Crunch Delight !

Bilkul Online | Sunday Special12 Oct 2025

By Shivani Trivedi

A crispy, sugary treat that brings festive sparkle to every Diwali bite!

🪔 1. Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge) — Classic Diwali Sweet

Serves: 12–15 pieces | Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Cashew nuts – 1 cup
  • Sugar – ½ cup
  • Water – ¼ cup
  • Ghee – 1 tsp (for greasing)
  • Silver vark (optional) – for garnish

Instructions:

  • Powder the cashews:
  • Grind cashews in short pulses into a fine powder (avoid over-grinding or it’ll release oil).
  • Make sugar syrup:
  • In a pan, add sugar and water. Heat until it forms a one-string consistency (dip a spoon and stretch between fingers — it should form a single thread).
  • Mix and cook:
  • Lower the flame and add the powdered cashew. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and leaves the pan sides (about 4–5 minutes).
  • Knead and roll:
  • Transfer the warm dough onto a greased plate. Once cool enough to handle, knead gently until smooth.
  • Roll between butter papers to about ¼-inch thickness.

Cut and decorate:

Apply silver vark if desired. Cut into diamond shapes and let cool.

✨ Soft, melt-in-mouth Kaju Katli ready — just like the ones from halwai shops!

💥 2. Crispy Masala Namak Pare — Savory Diwali Snack

Serves: 4–5 | Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour (maida) – 2 cups
  • Semolina (sooji) – 2 tbsp
  • Ajwain (carom seeds) – ½ tsp
  • Salt – ½ tsp
  • Red chili powder – ½ tsp
  • Oil – 3 tbsp (for dough) + for deep frying
  • Water – as needed

Instructions:

Prepare dough:

  • In a large bowl, mix flour, semolina, ajwain, salt, red chili powder, and 3 tbsp oil.
  • Add water gradually to form a stiff dough. Rest for 15 minutes.
  • Roll and cut:
  • Divide into portions. Roll each into a flat circle (like chapati but thicker).
  • Cut into diamonds or strips using a knife or cutter.
  • Fry until golden:
  • Heat oil on medium flame. Fry namak pare in batches until crisp and golden.
  • Drain on paper towels.

Cool & store:

Once cooled, store in an airtight jar — they stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

✨ Perfect to serve with masala chai during Diwali evenings!