Recipe

Indian Spiced Chestnut Cookies

Masala Chestnut Delights: Indian Spiced Chestnut Cookies

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine with these delightful Masala Chestnut Cookies. Made with the richness of chestnuts and infused with traditional Indian spices, these cookies are a perfect blend of Italian and Indian culinary traditions.

Dessert› Cookie› Canestrelli di castagne

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Italian cuisine

Cuisine styles› Vegetarian cuisine› Indian vegetarian cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

12-15 minutes

Total time

32-35 minutes

Yields

Makes approximately 20 cookies

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan (if using plant-based milk instead of dairy milk), Gluten-free (if using gluten-free all-purpose flour)

Allergens

Chestnuts, Dairy (if using ghee), Gluten (unless using gluten-free all-purpose flour)

Not suitable for

Paleo, Keto, Dairy-free (unless using plant-based milk and vegan butter substitute)

Ingredients

In this Indian adaptation of Canestrelli di castagne, the traditional Italian chestnut cookies are transformed into a spiced delight. The original recipe is infused with Indian spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which add a distinct flavor profile to the cookies. Additionally, the use of ghee (clarified butter) instead of regular butter gives the cookies a rich and authentic Indian taste. We alse have the original recipe for Canestrelli di castagne, so you can check it out.

1 cup (120g) chestnut flour 1 cup (120g) chestnut flour
1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (113g) ghee (clarified butter) 1/2 cup (113g) ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 cup (60ml) milk 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chopped pistachios, for garnish (optional) Chopped pistachios, for garnish (optional)

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 5g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 11g, 4g
Protein: 1g
Fiber: 1g
Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.
In a mixing bowl, combine the chestnut flour, all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3.
Add the ghee to the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4.
Gradually add the milk and vanilla extract, and mix until the dough comes together.
5.
Shape the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly on the prepared baking sheet.
6.
Garnish each cookie with a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, if desired.
7.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
8.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Chestnut flour — Ensure that the chestnut flour is finely ground for a smoother texture in the cookies.
Ghee — If ghee is not available, you can substitute it with an equal amount of unsalted butter or vegan butter substitute.

Tips & Tricks

For a more pronounced spiced flavor, you can increase the amount of cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg according to your preference.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container to maintain their texture and freshness.
Serve these cookies with a cup of masala chai for a truly authentic Indian experience.

Serving advice

Serve the Masala Chestnut Delights as a delightful tea-time snack or as a sweet treat after a meal. They can also be served as a festive dessert during Indian celebrations.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Masala Chestnut Delights on a decorative platter and sprinkle some powdered sugar over them for an elegant touch. You can also garnish with a few whole pistachios for added visual appeal.