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My Take on Nan Khatai or Indian Almond Semolina Cookies

May 2, 2011 by Nancy Lopez-McHugh 29 Comments

tea; black tea; tea time; tea and biscuits; tea cookies; tea and cookies

Every once in a while I need some crunchy almond biscuits or cookies to go with my afternoon tea. One of the cookies or biscuits I like to enjoy with my tea are Indian Nan Khatai. Nan Khatai are eggless, crumbly cookies made with semolina and spiced with cardamom. They are the perfect accompaniment to tea but just as delicious as a special treat. They can be topped with almonds, pistachios or even cashews. In the past few years that I have been making Nan Khatai I usually reach for almonds but the fun of this recipe is that you can prepare to your mood. Since I like a little extra almonds in my cookies I also add them to the dough but this is optional. My recipe is a bit different from a standard Indian recipe but the results will be delicious.

Nan Khatai; Indian Almond Semolina cookies; semolina cookies; almonds; cookies; cereal; cuisine; recipe; almond essence; cardamom; spiced cookies; low fat; sweets; desserts; sugar; easy cookies; fast cookies

Since it’s just my husband and I, sweets or cookies are made in small batches. Feel free to double or triple the recipe to your own needs. Nan Khatai are so easy to prepare and will take very little of your time. Really there is no excuse not to make them. The sweet reward of dunking a Nan Khatai in your tea or coffee says it all. As a matter of fact as I sit here typing I can smell the sweet almond cookies waiting to be dunked in my Earl Grey tea. If you’ll excuse me I have some dunking to do, but go on and make yourself a batch.

Dry Ingredients:
1/2 cup or 118 g all purpose flour
1/4 cup or 60 g fine semolina
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup or 60 g granulated white sugar
crushed almonds, optional to add to the dough

extra almonds to decorate cookies

Wet Ingredients:
1/4 cup or 60 g unsalted butter
2 tbsp. whole milk (you can also try soy or almond milk)
1/2 tsp. almond extract/essence

1. Melt the butter and set aside to cool. In a mortar and pestle or chopper breakup the almonds for the dough into coarse chunks, set aside. In a large bowl sift together the a.p. flour, semolina, cardamom, baking soda, and sugar. Next add the coarse almond pieces and stir until well combined.

2. Pour the milk and almond extract into the cool melted butter, stir until well combined. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stir until well combined and a firm dough is achieved. If you find the mixture is not sticking together add a couple more drops of milk- but only a little bit at a time. Form a ball with the dough, cover and allow to sit 10 minutes.

Nan Khatai; Indian Almond Semolina cookies; semolina cookies; almonds; cookies; cereal; cuisine; recipe; almond essence; cardamom; spiced cookies; low fat; sweets; desserts; sugar; easy cookies; fast cookies

3. Preheat oven to 350F/180C and prepare a cookie sheet. Divide the dough into even sized balls. Evenly space the balls on the cookie sheet, use the palm of your hand to flatten the cookies. Place on whole almond in the center of each cookie. Bake in center of oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Nan Khatai; Indian Almond Semolina cookies; semolina cookies; almonds; cookies; cereal; cuisine; recipe; almond essence; cardamom; spiced cookies; low fat; sweets; desserts; sugar; easy cookies; fast cookies

Are you a dunker? What are your favorite cookies/biscuits to dunk in your tea, coffee or milk?

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Filed Under: Baked, Desserts-Sweets

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Comments

  1. Nithya says

    May 2, 2011 at 14:40

    Cookies look super delicious :)

    Reply
  2. Paaka Shaale says

    May 2, 2011 at 14:42

    To me nan Khatais have never looked so beautiful. Loved all the shots Nancy. I have not baked Nan Khatais till date. Should try baking these :)

    Reply
  3. The Mom Chef says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:02

    I love baked good with cardamom in them. That alone will get me to give these a try. We favor pecans over almonds, so maybe I'll try them. Thank you for sharing the recipe and enjoy your tea!

    Reply
  4. Alina---Explora Cuisine says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:02

    These look yummy and not very crunchy, which I like :) Have a wonderful week!!!

    Reply
  5. Kulsum@JourneyKitchen says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:06

    Oh love Naan Khatais and tea without a biscuit as we call it – its not tea time!

    Reply
  6. Spicie Foodie says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:12

    @Nithya, Thanks!

    @Paaka, Aw that's sweet of you to say, you should try them.

    @The Mom Chef, Pecans would taste great too! Thanks

    @Alina, You too!

    @Kulsum, I couldn't agree more :)

    Reply
  7. Sandra says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:16

    Those are perfect and look very tasty! Amazing photos as always!!!!

    Reply
  8. Hester Casey - Alchemy says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:16

    Tea is always improved by cookies, particularly cookies like these. I love that they are choc-a-bloc with almonds. I feel that the world is alright with treats like these to be enjoyed.

    Reply
  9. Magic of Spice says

    May 2, 2011 at 15:49

    These sound fantastic, I love the cardamom…I must try one (I will pay for shipping) ;) And I love that you added more almond to the dough.
    The only cookies I ever dunk actually are Oreo in milk, but I don't drink milk so it is just another weird thing, lol
    Hugs

    Reply
  10. Spicie Foodie says

    May 2, 2011 at 16:05

    @Sandra, Thank you!

    @Hester Casey, Choc-a-bloc, hehe ! Love it

    @Alisha, I just remembered cookies and you don't get on well, hehe :) Mmmm Oreos and milk! I hate milk too but will gladly dunk a cookie or about five in it.

    Reply
  11. fooddoodles says

    May 2, 2011 at 16:47

    Yummy! Those looks so cute :) And I love cardamom. I'll have to try these some time.

    Reply
  12. Pacheco Patty says

    May 2, 2011 at 16:51

    Hi Nancy, I just adore a good dunking cookie like this one. I also like the small batch cookie recipe, thanks and have a great week;-)

    Reply
  13. Raji says

    May 2, 2011 at 17:06

    The texture of the nan khatai is looking awesome…photos are beautiful.

    Reply
  14. Pegasuslegend says

    May 2, 2011 at 17:27

    great photo bet the semolina makes these a great tasting cookie~

    Reply
  15. Belinda @zomppa says

    May 2, 2011 at 17:49

    Er…maybe triple the recipe?

    Reply
  16. Cooking Rookie says

    May 2, 2011 at 23:50

    I have never before heard about semolina cookies… I wonder what they taste like, judging by their looks, they are fantastic :-)

    Reply
  17. Correen says

    May 3, 2011 at 01:20

    Oh yes…I am a dunker and these sweet treats look ab fab. Plus you have my fave spice on board…cardamom. Mmm!

    Reply
  18. muppy says

    May 3, 2011 at 01:28

    YUM! these look delicious, i usually don't like indian sweets but i am sure i would love your version. i'll put them on the list!

    Reply
  19. Michelle Chin says

    May 3, 2011 at 02:13

    Never had them before but judging from the looks they must be really delicious and have this nice earthy flavor to them!

    Reply
  20. A little bit of everything says

    May 3, 2011 at 02:55

    I love cardamon sweets and these cookies sound like a winner. Perfect with my tea but I'm thinking of trying walnuts instead of almonds, hmm. gotta try
    thanks for sharing Nancy

    Reply
  21. sweetlife says

    May 3, 2011 at 21:00

    I love the cardamon in these cookies paired with the almond, great flavor..i personally will dunk any homemade cookie, I love them all!

    sweetlife

    Reply
  22. Anna C says

    May 4, 2011 at 15:34

    Nancy, I love the simplicity of the recipe. These cookies sound so delicious…perfect for dunking!

    Reply
  23. Torviewtoronto says

    May 5, 2011 at 00:49

    delicious looking nan khatai wonderfully done Nancy

    Reply
  24. Sandra says

    May 5, 2011 at 02:13

    They're gorgeous and I love the almond on top. My daughter-in-law is Indian and she'd be thrilled if I made these for her. I'll save your recipe so that I can.

    Reply
  25. Foodiva says

    May 5, 2011 at 22:23

    I've never had any Indian cookies before, just sweets like gulab jamun, etc. However, your Nan Khatais look really great with almond flavoring and an almond on top, I'm persuaded to try this. Good thing that the recipe is small batch too, I'll feel less guilty eating these all by myself! Btw, I'm a horrific dunker. I dunk so long that half my cookie would break off and sink to the bottom of the cup…LOL.

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    May 6, 2011 at 09:39

    i saw these in rachel allen's bake.and the looked deadly. dying to try this .

    Reply
  27. AKR says

    July 4, 2011 at 19:32

    Great nan khatai recipe. I have two other versions you might enjoy. Will also be posting a coconut version in the next couple of weeks:

    Chocolate:
    http://treataweek.blogspot.com/2007/05/cardamom-chocolate-shortbread-nan.html

    Pistachio:
    http://treataweek.blogspot.com/2009/06/pistachio-shortbread.html

    Reply
  28. Rupal says

    December 19, 2013 at 16:01

    Hi– I just made these for a party! I did exactly the way you said. They came out sooo good!! Even my husband and my kids liked it–and they never like my cooking! Thanks!! I can’t wait to take them to the party! And also- it was sooooo easy:)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. From Cookies & Eggnog to Stuffing & Potatoes: 39 Original Recipes for your Christmas Meal! says:
    December 12, 2013 at 06:35

    […] Cookies Spicy Goat Cheese, Pecan and Paprika Shortbreads Black Sesame Polvorones or Shortbreads Nan Khatai or Indian Almond Semolina Cookies Chocolate Craisin Almond Meal Cookies Czech Linzer Cookies Fluffy Molasses Apple Butter […]

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