Kesar Badam Katli, a confectionery masterpiece from India, is more than just a sweet treat; it's a symbol of love, tradition, and celebration. This delectable delight, also known as Almond Katli, holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, especially during Diwali festivals and joyous occasions.
Author: Binjal Pandya
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
1-2 tbsp Milk
7-8 Threads of Saffron
1 cup Sugar
½ cup Water
2 cup Almond Flour
¼ cup Milk Powder
¼ tsp Cardamom Powder
Pinch of Yellow Food Color
1-2 tbsp Ghee + 1-2 tsp For Applying
For Garnishing
Silver Leaf/Chandi Warkh
Sliced Pistachios
Dried Rose Petals
Instructions
In a small bowl, soak saffron strands in milk and set aside.
In a pan, add sugar and water and bring to a boil.
Add the almond flour, saffron milk, and cook on low-medium heat, stirring continuously with a spatula and scraping the edges. Use silicon spatula for easy scraping and stirring. Cook until the mixture thickens.
Add cardamom powder and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes, stirring continuously.
Add ghee and stir until the mixture comes together as a dough and starts leaving the sides of the pan. To check, take a small amount in your fingers - it should not be sticky and should roll easily.
Remove the dough into a mixing bowl and let cool until easy to handle.
Knead the dough by hand, adding a little ghee to prevent sticking. Make a smooth dough.
Place the dough on butter paper or parchment paper. Cover with the same paper and roll out to ¼ inch thickness using a rolling pin.
Apply silver leaf, chopped pistachios, and rose petals on top. Cut into desired shapes like diamonds or squares using a knife.
Let sit on the paper for 3-4 hours before separating the pieces. It will harden completely as it cools and be easy to remove.
Notes
Make homemade almond flour by grinding whole almonds in a blender and sieving. Skip food color if not needed. Can skip milk powder. Saffron strands can be added directly to the boiling sugar syrup. Use vegan butter instead of ghee for vegan version.
Recipe by Binjal's VEG Kitchen at https://binjalsvegkitchen.com/kesar-badam-katli/