Who doesn't like cookies and specially when it's home baked . I used to bake cookies occasionally and this time the occasion was my parents visit to my place. Cashew and pistachio are the most liked ingredients in any cookie after chocolates. So thought to give it a try once and viola they turned out unexpectedly delicious. They neither need many fancy ingredients nor much effort , that's why a novice can also try their hands on these beauties. Recipe is given below, do try it and share your experience with me too.
CASHEW PISTA CUSTARD COOKIES
Serves: 25-30 cookies ( depend on size)
Time: 45 - 60 mins
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour ( maida)
1/4 cup custard powder, preferably vanilla flavored
1/2 cup butter or margarine at room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup chopped cashew and pistachio
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
2 pinches baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
Few drops edible green color( optional)
Method:
First of all mix salt and baking soda in flour, mix well and keep aside. Now mix butter/ margarine , edible color and powdered sugar together and beat till fluffy.
Now add vanilla essence and cardamom powder, mix well. Add chopped dry fruits and fold together.
Now add custard powder and mix well . Now add flour mix to butter mix in batches and keep mixing. When all flour is mixed , it will look like bread crumbs.
Now using your finger make dough without applying much pressure.
Now roll the dough in 1/2 cm thick small chapatti. Sprinkle some sliced pistachios on it and press lightly.
Cut cookies using cookie cutter. In this way cut all the cookies by repeatedly rolling , cutting and collecting scraps.
Now place cookies in a baking tray lined with butter paper. Keep all cookies at some distance as they expand a little while baking. Now cover it with cling wrap or plastic sheet to avoid drying, and keep it in fridge for 1/2- 1 hrs or in freezer for 10 mins before baking.
Now bake it in preheated oven at 180degree C for 12- 15 mins. Keep an eye on it after 10mins , as soon as its edges and bottom start to change color,keep it out and cool on a wire rack .
It may seems soft when kept out of oven but don't worry they will firm on cooling. if you feel it's under cooked then can bake for little more but never over bake your cookies , it kills all its texture and flavour. After cooling completely , keep these in an airtight jar and enjoy with tea for weeks.
You can also make log of prepared dough and cover with cling wrap and chill before cutting, to get oval or round cookies.
If you don't like custard powder then just replace it by all purpose flour.
These cookies are so delicious that can be served in kids school trips, b'day parties or tiffin itself, even elders too love to munch on these cuties. Hope you all will like this delicious crunchy munchy cookies recipe and definitely give it a try. Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here they meant a lot.
Happy cooking....
