Baking · serves 2

Nankhatai

Four ingredients, no eggs, and they crumble the second you bite them.

35 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup maida
  • 1/4 cup besan
  • 1/4 cup rava
  • 1/2 cup ghee
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • Pistachios to top

Method

  1. Beat the ghee and powdered sugar together for 4 minutes until pale and creamy. Ghee, not butter — that flavour is the whole point.
  2. Add all the flours, cardamom and soda. Bring it together with your hands into a soft dough. Add no liquid at all.
  3. Roll smooth balls, flatten slightly, press a pistachio on top and make a small cross with a knife.
  4. Space them well — they spread.
  5. 150°C for 18-20 minutes. Low and slow. They should stay pale, not brown.
  6. They are soft coming out and turn crisp as they cool. Don't judge them hot.

Questions people ask about Nankhatai

How long does Nankhatai take?

About 35 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What is the one thing to get right in Nankhatai?

Beat the ghee and powdered sugar together for 4 minutes until pale and creamy. Ghee, not butter — that flavour is the whole point.

What can I use instead of maida in Nankhatai?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Nankhatai ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Nankhatai vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Nankhatai?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Nankhatai?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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