Recipes - Cook with Sharmila

Eggless Whole Wheat Cashewnut Cookies

November 28, 2024 By Sharmila Kingsly 1 Comment

Whole Wheat Cashewnut Cookies is an easy and yummy cookie that can be prepared with just pantry ingredients. It is a buttery delicacy that goes well as a snack. These famous Kaju biscuits is a very popular cookie found in the tea shops (in India) and they pair very well with hot tea. We can dip the cookies in tea and have a bite.

Eggless Cashew nut cookies arranged in a platter along with a cup of milk. — *Eggless Cashew nut Cookies*

My Little one love cookies a lot, so my love for cookie started because of her especially when she loved the cookies made by me. The happiness when we bake a cookie and when it turns like a store bought one is unbeatable. So my whole Wheat Cashew cookie is one among them. To make it healthier I made it with Wheat Flour, the same recipe can also be made with all-purpose flour.

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Why you will love this cookies

Easy to make : Easy beginner friendly recipe. Anyone can bake easily in just 30 mins.

Homemade goodness : Baked freshly in home without any preservatives and artificial flavors.

Pantry ingredients : Using only the basic pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Wheat flour - Not using any white flour here. Our roti or atta flour itself works very well for the cookies.

Sugar - normal white sugar or even the brown sugar works well for the cookies. Adding brown sugar might have a slight darker color in the cookies. Tastes the same. Use powdered sugar so that the sugar easily blends well in the cookie dough.

Cashew nuts - Use good quality halved cashew nuts

Vanilla extract - Gives a nice flavor to the cookies

Butter - Use room temperature soft unsalted butter. If you keep the butter outside the fridge for 30 mins - 1 hours it gets soft. We can then measure in the measuring cups and use easily for the cookies.

Salt - adding a pinch elevates the taste. Optional though.

Mixed nut cookies - We can add Almonds , Walnuts , Pistachios too make them as mixed nut cookies. If not mixed nut we can replace cashew with other nuts too.

Chocolate Cashew Cookies - Additionally we can add white or dark chocolate chips to prepare cashew chocolate cookies.

Dry Fruit and nut Cookies - Raisins , cherries or dates too can be added.

Brown Butter Cashew Cookies - Try adding brown butter to the cookie base. This gives a intense buttery cookies.

Wheat Cashew Cookies topped with cashew nuts in a plate.

How to make Cashew butter cookies

Prepare Cookies Dough

1.In a mixing bow add ¼ cup of powdered sugar.

2. To this add ¼ cup of soft room temperature unsalted butter and ½ cup of whole wheat flour.

Add wheat flour and soft unsalted butter to the bowl.

3. Dry roast the cashew nuts in a pan for few mins until they change turn golden and switch off. Let it cool down and the crush in a food processor. We can also toast the cashews in oven , Check the FQA's for more details.

Toast cashew nuts in a pan until golden.

4. Now add the crushed cashew nuts and vanilla extract.

Add vanilla extract and crushed cashew to the bowl.

5. Start knead the dough. If needed add 1 or 2 tbsp of milk and knead gently. Add milk only if needed else you may skip. I added 1 tbsp of Milk.

Sprinkle milk as needed and start kneading the dough.

6. The cookie dough is now ready. Cling wrap or transfer to a closed bowl and refrigerate for 30 mins.

Softly kneaded cookie dough is now ready.

Bake the Cookies

7. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Divide the dough into equal sized portions and shape the cookies. This is to ensure equal sizes cookies. Equal sized cookies gets baked uniformly at the same time. We can also use cookie cutter and chape the cookies as needed. I am placing a cashew on top of the cookie too.

Shape the cookies and arrange in a baking tray.

8. Preheat the oven for about 180 Deg / 356 F for 10 mins. Bake the cookies for about 13-15 mins in 180 deg C. Remove from the oven once the cookie turn golden brown in the bottom. This indicates the cookies are baked perfect.

Freshly baked cashew cookies are now ready.

Let the cookies cool completely and the transfer to air tight containers.

Expert Tips

Baking time as it may vary from oven to oven , So check the oven maula or more detailed instructions.
I am using OTG for baking , you can also try the same in conventional oven. However this will not work in microwave only oven.
The cookies appear soft immediately when they are out of the oven. However they get crisp once they cool down.
Wait till the cookies cool down completely and then store them in an air tight container.
We can also replace Cashew with any other nuts or assorted nuts of choice.
We can also add badam and pistachios along with cashew to make the cookies richer.
Prefect for the evening with a cup of Ginger tea .This will be a very good after school snack for kids.

Serving Suggestions

Cashew nut cookies goes well as a snack by itself. But it can be wholesome if you serve with some hot Tea or Milk.

Storing Options

Once the cookies cool down completely we can store them in any airtight container. Cookies stay fresh for up to 1 week. No need to refrigerate.

FAQ's

How to toast cashew nuts in oven ?

In a baking tray line a parchment paper and spread the cashew nuts. Preheat the oven for about 180 C / 356 F for 10 mins. Bake at 180 C/ 356 F for 7-8 mins or until the cashew nuts turns golden brown in color. We can also try the same in air fryer. It take about 4 mins at 180 C / 356 F. Make sure the cashew nuts are spread freely without touching each other.

How long can i store cashew nut cookies ?

Cashew nut cookies stay good in room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Once the cookies are cooled completely store them in a good air tight container for a longer shelf life.

Can i freeze cashew nut cookie dough ?

These Simple Cashew nut cookie dough is freezer friendly. You can freeze them up to 3 months. WE can freeze them in two ways. We can cling wrap the prepared dough and freeze. Else you can shape the cookies and freeze the shaped cookies in a baking tray. After freezing for 1 hour you may collect the frozen cookie dough and store in a zip lock bag . While baking you can directly place the frozen cookie dough in baking tray and bake , this might need extra 2 or 3 mins than the mentioned time.

Can i use white flour instead of Wheat flour for making cashew cookies?

Indeed white flour works well for these cookies. On using Maida or white flour we will get a white coloured cookies. Adding wheat flour gives a pale brown colored cookies. I feel the taste is almost the same just the color varies a slightly.

★ Did you enjoy this recipe? If you happen to try it out, I would love to hear from you! I’d appreciate it if you could rate and leave a review below in the comments. Your reviews help others know the recipe better too. Thanks for your time. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter for more updates

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5 from 1 vote

Eggless Whole Wheat Cashew Cookies

Whole Wheat Cashew Cookies is an easy and yummy cookie that can be prepared with just the ingredients available. It is a buttery delicacy.

Prep Time10

Bake Time13

Total Time23

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: International

Servings: Cookies

Calories: 84kcal

Author: Sharmila Kingsly

Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare Cookie Dough

In a mixing bow add ¼ cup of powdered sugar.
To this add ¼ cup of soft room temperature unsalted butter and ½ cup of whole wheat flour.
Dry roast the cashew nuts in a pan for few mins until they change turn golden and switch off. Let it cool down and the crush in a food processor. We can also toast the cashews in oven , Check the FQA's for more details.
Now add the crushed cashew nuts and vanilla extract.
Start knead the dough. If needed add 1 or 2 tbsp of milk and knead gently. Add milk only if needed else you may skip. I added 1 tbsp of Milk.
The cookie dough is now ready. Cling wrap or transfer to a closed bowl and refrigerate for 30 mins.

Bake the cookies

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Divide the dough into equal sized portions and shape the cookies. This is to ensure equal sizes cookies. Equal sized cookies gets baked uniformly at the same time. We can also use cookie cutter and chape the cookies as needed. I am placing a cashew on top of the cookie too.
Preheat the oven for about 180 Deg / 356 F for 10 mins. Bake the cookies for about 13-15 mins in 180 deg C. Remove from the oven once the cookie turn golden brown in the bottom. This indicates the cookies are baked perfect. Let the cookies cool completely and the transfer to air tight containers.

Notes

Expert Tips

Baking time as it may vary from oven to oven , So check the oven maula or more detailed instructions.

I am using OTG for baking , you can also try the same in conventional oven. However this will not work in microwave only oven.

The cookies appear soft immediately when they are out of the oven. However they get crisp once they cool down.

Wait till the cookies cool down completely and then store them in an air tight container.

We can also replace Cashew with any other nuts or assorted nuts of choice.

We can also add badam and pistachios along with cashew to make the cookies richer.

Prefect for the evening with a cup of Ginger tea .This will be a very good after school snack for kids.

Serving Suggestions

Cashew nut cookies goes well as a snack by itself. But it can be wholesome if you serve with some hot Tea or Milk.

Storing Options

Once the cookies cool down completely we can store them in any airtight container. Cookies stay fresh for up to 1 week. No need to refrigerate.

Nutrition

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Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist , the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.

Note: This post is originally from 2016. I have updated with new Recipe card, Pictures.

How to soak dry fruits for Christmas cake

November 27, 2024 By Sharmila Kingsly Leave a Comment

Soaking dry fruits for Christmas cake in Rum or Wine ahead of time aid in the best ever Christmas fruits cake. We soak dry fruits and candied fruits in liquor for a boozy Christmas fruit cake.

Chopped Dry Fruits and nuts soaked in Rum in a Glass Jar.

It's December it's the season of Cakes and Bakes. My kitchen smells heavenly since the first day of December. Every alternate day I do some baking and this is like a tradition last six years.

Of course definitely the star of the Season the Christmas Plum Cake is on cards. After I started baking , I always do my homemade plum cake to distribute to friends and family.

This boozy Rich Plum Cake is so rich and decadent with lots of dry fruits and Nuts. Some prep work is definitely needed for the cake. In this post, I will be sharing the traditional way of soaking dry fruits in Rum.

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Soaking dry fruits for Christmas cake

There is no hard and fast rule on the ingredients added. We can add all our favorite dry fruits . Try adding as per your availability. Soaking dry fruits for Christmas cake is like a tradition I follow every year and I felt like documenting the same as it might help some new bakers.

We usually soak only dry fruits in any liquor like Rum or Brandy. The dry fruits soak and plump up in the juice of Rum. This is the traditional Christmas fruit soaking.

I always use Rum for soaking dry fruits. We can also use brandy or Wine . For a non alcoholic version Orange or Grape Juice can be used for soaking the dry fruits.

Ingredients

Chopped Cherries, Raisins , Tutti frutti, Candied Ginger, Walnuts, Almonds , Cashew along with Rum spread as a platter.

Dry Fruits - Use good quality clean dry fruits for soaking. Usually more Raisins and Tutti frutti are used. I usually use raisins both black and golden , cherries, tutti fruiti. Depending on the availability of other dry fruits like candied orange , ginger i use them as well.

Nuts - We can add more chopped nuts while making cake. For soaking i use equal portions of chopped Cashew, Almonds and Walnuts.

Liquor - I use Old Monk Rum for soaking. You may use your favorite ones.

When to Soak the dry Fruits for Christmas Cake

The soaking time can be from 6 months to 1 day. Worst case you can also soak for 30 mins and microwave for 1 min. It helps the dry fruits to plump up and drink the juice.

However, the main tip is to mix in the dry fruits once every two or three days when soaking for a longer period. You can soak in Rum, Brandy, or Wine. If you do not want to use liquor you can also soak the dry fruits in Orange juice or grape juice.

Traditionally we soak the dry fruits in Rum for the Christmas fruits cake.

Dry fruits and Nuts soaked in Rum for Christmas Fruits Cake.

How to soak dry fruits for Christmas cake

1) Chop the dry fruits into equally sized pieces. This helps in a homogenous ( even ) baking when adding the soaked dry fruits to the cake and prevent from crumbling. This is a very important step before soaking the fruits in liquor.

Chop all the dry fruits in to equal sized pieces.

2) Add the chopped dry fruits in to a glass jar that is used for soaking. Use only glass or ceramic jars for soaking. I am using Tutti frutti, golden raisins, black raisins ,cherries, candied ginger.

Transfer the chopped dry fruits in to a glass jar.

3) Next add evenly chopped nuts. I am using Cashew, Almonds and Walnuts.

4) Shake the jar well such that the dry fruits and nuts are mixed evenly.

Shake the glass jar , so that the chopped dry fruits and nuts gets mixed homogenously.

5) Now add the Rum. Add until all the dry fruits are soaked and the Rum stays 1 inch above that.

Add Rum to the glass jar until all the dry fruits and nuts are fully soaked.

6) The dry fruits plump up after getting soaked in the liquor. Check after 2 days and if the rum has been soaked completely , top up the glass jar with more rum. Continue this process after every 2 days. Also make sure you give a mix to the soaked dry fruits and nuts once in every two days.

Expert Tips

Always use only dry fruits for soaking in the liquor. Soaking nuts is optional, But we can include them as well
Dry fruits will absorb the liquor and get plumped up.
Always chop the dry fruits into equal-sized pieces and then soak.
While the dry fruits are soaking. Mix with a clean spoon after every two days .
You can soak up to 6 months or even more. More the merrier. But handle it clean and mix or shake the jar after every two days.
Store in a sterilized container and place it in a warm place.
If you see the liquor level has reduced after soaking you can add more.

FAQ's

What all dry fruits can be added to Christmas cake ?

We can soak in all possible dry fruits for the Christmas fruit cake. We usually add Raisins, Black currants, Candied orange peel, Candied ginger, Tutti frutti, Cherries. Along with this, we can add any candied fruits or dry fruits.

What is the best alcohol for soaking fruit cake ?

Traditionally we use Rum for soaking fry fruits. However we can also use a mix of Rum and Brandy or even Wine. For a non alcoholic version Orange or Grape juice works well.
In my opinion Rum is the best alcohol to soak fruit for Christmas cake

How long to soak fruit in alcohol for fruit cake ?

We can soak the dry fruits in liquor for 2-3 months. I have also soaked for 6 months it comes good. The more the merrier , you get an intense flavor in the cake. If you have less time you can try soaking for at least 2 weeks before you bake. Always store in a cool and dark place without any disturbance for best results.

Why do we chop dry fruits for fruit cake ?

Its always good to chop the dry fruits into equal sized pieces before soaking them in alcohol. This helps in even soaking and uniform baking. This also prevents the cake from crumbing as we slice. Bigger chunks of dry fruits like Cherries or any candied fruits in cake will make the cake crumble while we slice the cake.

Christmas Fruit Cake Recipes

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Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist , the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.

Note: This post is originally from 2000. I have updated with new Recipe card, Pictures and details.

Badam Milk With Kesar and Cardamom

October 7, 2024 By Sharmila Kingsly Leave a Comment

Badam Milk is a creamy drink prepared from Milk and Almonds. Milk is simmered and flavored with Almonds and Saffron, the flavored milk is then served hot or chilled as you prefer.

Glass of Badam Milk Topped with Almonds , Saffron and Rose Petals.

Badam milk/Almond milk is an easy way to incorporate healthy Almonds into our food. Especially for kids who don't like it. If on a busy day we had to skip our breakfast drinking Badam milk will be a healthy alternative.

Of all the nuts Almonds are packed with nutrients and beneficial components . They are rich in Protein, Fiber, Calcium, and Vitamin E. Almonds are good for your heart, helps in brain development, skincare too.

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Why you ll Love This Recipe ?

Easy to make: Badam milk is a very popular drink for all seasons. It is very common in all eateries and

Kids friendly Drink : It's rich and creamier loaded with almonds. The flavor is very good and is loved by kids.

About Badam Milk

Badam Milk is a sweet rich badam, cardamom and saffron flavored milk. It is a very popular street food in India. You may serve it hot or cold. Goes well in both ways.

Ingredients

Milk: Use full fat milk for a creamier and richer badam milk.

Sugar: Use sugar for sweetness. If not sugar use any other sweeteners as you prefer. but traditionally we use sugar for sweetening the milk.

Saffron - Gives a rich and pale yellow tint to milk.

Almonds - Use fresh almonds. We soak the almonds and remove the skin before using them in the drink.

Cardamom - Adding cardamom is optional but it gives a nice flavor and taste to the drink.

Check the Recipe card for the detailed recipe and measurements of the ingredients.

Badam Milk Variations

Ice Apple Badam Milk : Ice Apple is a seasonal summer fruit with cooling properties. Badam Milk with ice apple so cooling and perfect for the hot summer.

Rose Badam Milk: We can add Rose flavor to badam milk. It is a yummy variation and will have a vibrant color.

Nuts Badam Milk: We can also top the badam milk with more pistachios and cashews as you prefer. This gives a more filling badam milk.

Malai Badam Milk: Malai is nothing but the milk cream. In many restaurants, these malai badam milk is very famous where they add milk cream to the drink for a rich and enhanced taste.

Glass of Chilled Badam Milk with toppings

How to make Badam Milk

1. Wash and soak almonds in hot water for an hour and then peel the skin.

2. In a blender add peeled Almonds , along with cardamom , saffron

3. Pulse everything once coarsely.

4. Add 3 tbsp Milk

5. Blend once again to a coarse paste or smooth paste as you prefer.

Grind Soaked and peeled almonds with Saffron and Cardamom to a paste with little milk.

6. In a sauce pan add milk and let it come to a boil in a medium flame.

7. Continue cooking the boiled milk in a low flame. To this add required sugar.

8. Add the prepared almond, saffron, and cardamom paste to boiled milk. Continue cooking on a low flame for another 5 minutes.

Add the ground Almond , saffron and cardamom paste to boiled milk.

9. Switch off and Badam Milk is ready. Serve hot or cold as you prefer. Top with more Saffron or Nuts and serve.

Top the Almond Milk with saffron and serve.

Serve Chilled or warm as you like. Tastes good either way.

Expert Tips

Use full cream milk for a rich badam milk.
you can add a tsp of rose water if you like rose flavor.
You can also add a few sliced almond pieces to the badam milk. It gives a nice texture to the drink.

Storage Options

This Badam drink stays good in the fridge for 3 days. Store in a good fridge container. I do not recommend freezing.

Serving Suggestions:

Badam drink goes well for having any time of the day. It is also perfect to have after a heavy meal. My personal favorite is having a glass of chilled badam milk at 11 am or after a heavy chicken biryani meal.

As we all know badam milk drink is very rich and perfect for any special occasions like weddings or any parties too.

Recipe FAQ's

Can I have badam milk drink daily?

As we all know the drink is very rich and high in calories also it has sugars. Hence it's not advisable to consume daily. We can have it once in a while or on any occasion.

Is badam milk suitable for everyone?

Badam milk is suitable for everyone of all age types. However, a few things need to be considered. If you have nut allergies or if you are lactose intolerant it is to be avoided. Also, the drink is rich in calories and has sugar. Hence if you are diabetic this has to be avoided or consumed by using sugar-free alternatives.

Can I use plant-based milk for badam milk?

For a vegan version of badam milk, use any plant based milk. Oat milk, Almond milk or even Soy milk can be used in place of dairy milk.

How long can I store badam milk?

Homemade badam milk is always the best if consumed fresh. But it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. I sometimes grind the paste and store it up to 3 days and prepare badam milk as needed.

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Badam Milk With Kesar and Cardamom

Badam Milk is a creamy milk drink prepared from Milk and Almonds. Milk is simmered and flavoured with Almonds and Saffron

Prep Time1

Cook Time10

Total Time1 10

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Servings:

Calories: 204kcal

Author: Sharmila Kingsly

Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml