Recipe: Chocolate Cardamom Cookies

chocolate cardamom cookies

Diwali, the festival of lights is celebrated by many South Asian families as a festival signifying the victory of good over evil. According to legend, Lord Rama returned home after fourteen years of exile and defeating the evil king Ravana on this day. To show their love and excitement, people lit their homes with diyas to celebrate his homecoming and safe return. Additionally, the goddess of wealth & prosperity, Lakshmi is worshipped on this day and gifts are exchanged with friends and family.

During the week of Diwali there are communal meals, get- togethers, fun and fireworks. It’s also the time to enjoy all those once in a while sweets and snacks. Moms stay busy in the kitchens preparing sweet and savory treats for gift boxes and guests. The streets are lit up with sales, gift boxes, freshly packaged sweets and more.

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In India, the days leading up and following Diwali are filled with friends and family visiting each other having chai nashta (snacks) together while exchanging greetings. Stores and street vendors display their finest pieces, children save up for fire crackers and mothers are busy in the kitchen making sweet and savory treats to relish when guests come over. There are certain foods that always make us think about Holidays at home. Whether it is a favorite mithai or breakfast item, these dishes take us to that festive time when we celebrated during childhood.cardamom cookies

This year I’m sharing an easy make-ahead recipe that can be made for the festive season. It’s a modern take on traditional desserts but with a desi touch. Chocolate covered cardamom cookies can be prepared under an hour and make great gift box desserts. They pair wonderfully with chai or coffee.

 

Tips & Tricks:

– Chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking; this will help the cookies retain their round shape.

– For a truffle like look, top the cookies with nuts, sugar crystals or crushed cookies for an additional crunch while the chocolate is wet.

– Store in an airtight container, cookies are best when eaten within 3-5 days – if they last that long! IMG_4713

 

Ingredients for cookies:

1 cup plain flour

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cup butter

2 teaspoon cardamom powder

 

Ingredients for chocolate dip:

1 cup chocolate chips or chunks

1 teaspoon oil

 

Method:

  1. Mix the flour, sugar and cornstarch together into a bowl. Add room temperature butter and whisk or put in the stand mixer with the paddle attachment and blend until smooth and creamy. Add cardamom powder and mix well. Chill dough for 15-20 minutes.

IMG_47072.Pre heat oven to 350 F. Form 1/2 inch round cookies and line them on a greased cookie sheet two inches apart from each other. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

IMG_47103. Once baked, let cool and heat chocolate in a separate bowl until melted, add oil and mix together.

4. Dip cookies in chocolate and let cool.

 

 


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