
Vegan Masala Recipe
Vegan Badam Katli (Almond Barfi)
Vegan badam katli turns finely ground almonds, saffron, cardamom and rose into delicate diamond-shaped sweets. Their soft bite and fragrant nuttiness make them lovely for gifting and sharing.
Recipe by Craig LogueHow our recipes are created
From the kitchen
What to expect
The almond syrup needs to reach the right stage before the flour goes in, so keep the heat steady and stir with purpose. Once set, the katli slices neatly and keeps a gentle chew.
Serving idea
Best served simply
Serve with chai after a meal or arrange on a small tray with other Indian sweets.
Cook the recipe
Method
- 1
Set a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add 1¼ cups sugar, ½ cup water and 1 tsp rose water, if using. Stir just until the sugar dissolves and the syrup turns clear.
- 2
Add ½ tsp saffron and 1 tsp ground cardamom. Bring the syrup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until it looks slightly thickened.
- 3
Check for one-string consistency by lifting a little syrup from the pot and letting it cool for a moment. Press it between your thumb and forefinger; it should form a single thin thread.
- 4
Add 2 cups blanched almond flour and 1 tsp cornstarch all at once. Stir firmly for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture turns thick and starts to leave the sides of the pot.
- 5
Stir in 1 tsp pure vanilla extract and 1 tbsp avocado oil. Keep mixing until the mixture gathers into a soft dough and pulls cleanly from the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Transfer the hot dough to a lightly oiled surface. When it is cool enough to handle, oil your hands and knead it briefly until smooth and pliable.
- 7
Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment into a square about 1/4 inch thick. Let it cool for about 30 minutes, until set.
- 8
Cut into diamonds or small squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Lift the pieces carefully and let them finish cooling before serving.
Gather everything first
Ingredients
- •1¼ cups sugar
- •½ cup water
- •1 tsp rose water (optional)
- •½ tsp saffron (optional)
- •1 tsp ground cardamom
- •2 cups blanched almond flour
- •1 tsp cornstarch
- •1 tbsp avocado oil, plus more for oiling your hands and the surface
- •1 tsp pure vanilla extract
A few useful notes
Notes
- •Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep pieces in a single layer, or separate layers with parchment so they do not stick together.
- •If the dough feels dry or crumbly while kneading, warm it very briefly and knead again. If it feels sticky, dust the surface very lightly with cornstarch instead of adding more almond flour.
- •For a softer katli, roll it a little thicker and cut once it has fully set. For cleaner edges, let it cool completely before slicing.
Learn the technique

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