Sweet temptation, I sighed as my sister offered me two slices of seductive Kaju Katli, once my favourite mithai. Age and waistlines change the way I look at sweets, once coveted and gulped, now delicately eyed, crumbs picked lightly with the finger, licked and sidelined.

1. A Royal History Behind the Slice
2. The Story of Freedom and the Kohinoor Shape
3. Naturally Fit for Modern Diets
4. Recipe of Kaju Katli aka Kaju Barfi
5. Global Appeal and Fun Facts

Loaded with rich cashews, Kaju Katli (also widely known as Kaju Barfi) is a timeless, diamond-shaped Indian sweet that sparks instant nostalgia.

For many of us, this treat was reserved for special occasions, the neatly packed rows in beautiful boxes signifying a festival or a birthday celebration. It remains a top gifting choice for festivals like Diwali.

Barfi comes from the word ‘barf’ which means snow and it’s white in colour. Katli means slice. It’s an addictive sweet; I still recall finishing an entire row in minutes before realizing the importance of moderation! Despite its high-calorie count, it undeniably remains a favourite Indian dessert, often associated with good luck and prosperity.

A Royal History Behind the Slice

Kaju Katli literally means “cashew slice.” This mithai is immensely popular, particularly in Northern India, and is often finished with a sheet of shimmering silver varq (edible foil).

The origins of this famous mithai are popularly traced back to the 16th century and Bhimrao, a royal chef serving the Maratha Empire. Inspired by a Persian almond sweet called Halwa-e-Farsi, Bhimrao swapped almonds for the region’s plentiful cashews, creating a new dessert that instantly won over the royals.

The Story of Freedom and the Kohinoor Shape

Another origin story links Kaju Katli to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and the 6th Sikh Guru, Hargobind. In 1619, after the Guru was held captive in Gwalior Fort with 52 other monarchs, he worked to improve their conditions. Jahangir was so impressed that he agreed to release them, provided everyone could hold onto the Guru’s robe as he walked out.

Guru Hargobind secretly arranged for a robe long enough for all 52 to grasp. On Diwali, they all walked free, a day celebrated by Sikhs as Bandhi Chor Diwas. As a tribute, Jahangir’s chef prepared kaju barfi and, inspired by the Kohinoor diamond in the Emperor’s crown, shaped it like a diamond. This is how the iconic diamond-shaped sweet was born.

Naturally Fit for Modern Diets

The best part:

• Vegan & Gluten-Free: Traditional Kaju Katli is made from cashews, sugar, and water, meaning it contains no dairy and is naturally gluten-free. This makes it a viable choice for those with dairy or gluten sensitivities.
• Nutrient-Rich: Cashews provide the goodness of copper, magnesium, and phosphorus, along with healthy fats and protein.

As cashews are an exotic ingredient, this sweet is historically famous as a royal dessert symbolizing luxury, triumph, good fortune.

Recipe of Kaju Katli aka Kaju Barfi

Creating this tempting white delicacy is a focused process to achieve the perfect texture:

1. Cashew Base: Good quality raw cashews are soaked, then ground into an exceptionally fine paste or powder. (A key to success is grinding just enough so the nuts don’t release their oil.)
2. Sugar Syrup (Chashni): Sugar and water are boiled until they reach a specific consistency, often tested to form a “single thread” when the fingertips are pulled apart.
3. Dough Formation: The sugar syrup is added to the cashew paste. A touch of ghee (optional for the vegan version, where coconut oil can be substituted) and flavourings like saffron (Kesar) are mixed in.
4. Shaping: This soft, pliable dough is spread thinly, allowed to cool slightly, and then precisely cut into bite-sized rhombus shapes before being finished with edible silver foil.

Global Appeal and Fun Facts

Kaju Katli’s fame transcends borders, enjoyed by the Indian diaspora across the UK, US, Canada, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Trivia Moment: The largest Kaju Katli ever recorded weighed an astounding 1,051 kg! This massive sweet was created by Kanti Sweets in Bangalore, India, on January 15, 2020.

Whether you call it Kaju Katli or Kaju Barfi, this diamond sweet is a perfect blend of history, luxury, and irresistible taste. It’s also calorie dense, so I don’t know about you, but I work hard on controlling my temptation.

Are you planning to make your own vegan batch, or are you sticking to the boxed versions for your next celebration?

References: https://indiabookofrecords.in/largest-kaju-katli/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaju_katli

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025.

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