Crispy Shakarpara


A traditional tea-time biscuit-like snack often made during festive occasions, shakarpara is the perfect sweet for any gathering. They are deep-fried sugar crisps with almonds and hint of cardamom, which adds to their unique flavor. This is one of those snacks that you won’t be able to stop munching on. 

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
1 cup all-purpose flour (maida, plain flour)
2 Tbsp fine sooji (semolina)
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp oil
1/4 tsp cardamom powder (ilachi)
3 Tbsp sliced almonds
4 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup water (use as needed)

Method

Mix flour, sooji, sugar, salt, baking soda, cardamom powder, almonds and oil in a bowl and make a stiff dough adding water slowly as needed. Knead it well. Cover the dough and set aside for 15 minutes or more.
Take the dough and make a flat ball shape. Rolling into about 9-inch square, then with fingers try to give a square shape. Fold in fours, roll it again and fold, do this three times. Use dry four as needed to help rolling.
Cut the rolled dough into about inch square. Note: you can cut them in your desire shape.
Heat the oil in a frying pan on low medium heat.
The frying pan should have at least 1 inch of oil. To check if the oil is ready, put a small piece of dough in the oil. The dough should make the oil sizzle and come up slowly. Don’t over crowed the frying pan, you should be able to turn them easily.
Keep stirring occasionally, fry the shakkar paras until both sides are golden-brown. Frying time should be about 6-8 minutes.
Let the shakkar paras comes to the room temperature,  they should be crisp.