Recipe- Delicious Ragi Nankhatai

Ragi Nankhatai or Finger Millet Cookies is a light, crunchy and crumbly vegan cookie with delightful aroma of cardamom. In short, melt in mouth cookies that anyone will love. These cookies are perfect accompaniments for any tea party, and can also be given as a personalized gift to your family and friends during holidays or anytime of the year.

Ingredients

Ragi Flour / Finger Millet flour – 3/4 cup
All purpose flour / Maida – 3/4 cup
Vegetable shortening – 2/3 cup + 1 tbsp (also called vanaspati / dalda in India)
Baking soda – 3/4 tsp
Sugar – 3/4 cup
Cardamom powder – 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
Salt – a pinch
Almonds – 15 for topping

Method

* In a bowl combine ragi flour, all purpose flour, shortening, soda, sugar, cardamom powder and salt to form a dough. Do not knead.

* Note that I have not added any water while forming the dough. Vegetable shortening binds everything together.

* Cover it and keep it aside for atleast 30 minutes.

* Preheat the oven for 300 degree F / 148 degree C.

* Form golf size balls from the dough and press to flatten it slightly. Place an almond at the center of each nankhatai.

* Keep it in a baking tray lined with parchment paper or on a silicone mat.

* Bake these cookies for about 20 to 25 minutes or until cracks form at the top or bottom turns golden brown in color.

* Allow it to cool down for about 10 – 15 minutes. Cookies will crisp up upon cooling.

* Ragi Nankhatai is now ready. Serve with cup of coffee / tea and enjoy.