Eggless Almond Cookies | Indian Almond Biscuits

Some of you might have given a thought(some others know) if I have started posting only vegetarian and eggless recipes these days in this space.The simple answer to this query is that we are observing lent till Easter,till then stay tuned to all eggless and vegetarian dishes as of now.How about some cookies today?? Almond cookies are buttery,crunchy and addictive ones with cardamom flavor,perfect for all age groups.I have made this recipe a couple of times now and is fool proof.You can make this in large batches and preserve for later.I have used wheat flour for binding with almond flour but you can always use maida for a lighter texture.I powdered the almond and sugar together in the blender,kids started licking the leftovers in the  mixer jar as they taste similar to the milk powder.These taste similar to nankhatai and tastes delicious with tea.Give this a try if you love to sneak in almonds and enjoy !!


(PS: The cookies are real addictive,be prepared to bake a second batch soon !!)

Ingredients
wheat flour 1 cup
*almond blanched 1/2 cup
granulated sugar 1/2 cup
*corn flour 2tbsp
cardamom powder 1/2 tsp
butter 1/2 cup or 113gm or 1stick(8tbsp)
baking soda a pinch
milk 2tbsp
salt 1/8 tsp

for garnish
almonds whole or sliced 2tbsp 

Method

• Grind the blanched almonds(refer notes) with sugar in a blender until finely powdered(don't powder the almonds alone else it releases oil and form lumps).Sift the flour in a sieve(with slightly larger holes than fine powder),to get the fine powder.I got 1.5 cups of powdered sugar and almonds.
• In the same bowl sift the wheat flour,corn starch,cardamom powder,baking soda and salt.
• Beat the butter at room temperature until soft and fluffy(about 2 mins) and add the flour mix little by little in it.Mix all the flour until well combined in a dough form.Add 1 or 2tbsp of milk to get the mix together and form a smooth dough.

• Pre heat oven to 350 degrees F and line two trays with parchment paper.
• Pinch out lemon size balls from the dough and form in a ball.Flatten lightly and place almonds on top.
• Place them on the tray and leave a 1.5" space between each cookies as they tend to spread.

• Bake in pre heated oven to 12-15 mins or until the sides look slightly browned(mine got done 15 mins).
• Cool on wire rack and enjoy with tea or coffee !!

Serves ~ 18-20 cookies(1.5" round)

NOTES
* Use vanilla extract(1 tsp) if you don't like cardamom flavor.
* If you wish a mildly sweet flavor,use only 1/3 cup of granulated sugar. 
* Adding corn flour lightens the texture,but if you can omit too.Have made without that too,comes out good.
* If you have only whole almonds,then boil 2 cups of water and add the whole almonds in it for 5 -10 mins.Then,remove from water and squeeze each almond between your thumb andindex finger to peel the skin.Wipe the blanched almonds dry with a paper towel,place on a baking tray.Pre heat oven to 300 degrees F and pop in oven and bake for 5-6 mins.Voila!!! Blanched almonds are ready.

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Eggless Nankhatai
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Enjoy !!