Matcha Nankhatai

This festive season, try something new and give your nostalgic memories a new matcha twist. Try making this Matcha Nankhatai and make your tea time more enjoyable. The recipe is buttery and rich in aroma, and the beautiful green colour, which makes it even more attractive, comes from the Japanese Matcha.

This recipe consists of all-purpose flour, besan, semolina, butter, and matcha powder. These buttery homemade cookies are crisp and attractive from the outside and soft and delicious from the inside. These are the perfect snacks for this festive season, or it can be enjoyed with your evening tea cup.

📌 Dry Ingredients

🍃¾ cup all-purpose flour (maida)

🍃¼ cup chickpea flour (besan)

🍃1 tbsp semolina (sooji)

🍃3g Everyday Matcha Powder

🍃¼ tsp cardamom powder

🍃¼ tsp baking powder

🍃A pinch of salt

📌 Wet Ingredients

🍃½ cup unsalted butter, softened

🍃½ cup powdered sugar

🍃1-2 tsp milk (only if needed)

📌 For Topping

🍃12 blanched almonds

📌Instructions

🍃1. Prepare the Baking Tray

Preheat your oven to 165°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and keep it aside.

🍃2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a ceramic bowl, combine all-purpose flour, besan, semolina, matcha powder, cardamom powder, baking powder and salt. Sift the mixture to remove lumps and distribute the matcha evenly.

🍃3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In another bowl, add softened butter and powdered sugar. Whisk for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

🍃4. Prepare the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix gently until everything comes together into a soft dough. If the dough feels too dry, add 1-2 teaspoons of milk.

🍃5. Shape the Cookies

Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a small ball and gently flatten it into a thick round cookie shape.

🍃6. Add the Almond Topping

Place one blanched almond in the centre of each cookie and press it gently. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking tray, leaving some space between them.

🍃7. Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the shaped cookies for 15 minutes. This helps them hold their shape while baking.

🍃8. Bake the Nankhatai

Bake at 165°C for 15-18 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to help preserve the matcha colour.

🍃9. Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before serving.

📌 Why You'll Love This

• A Matcha Twist on a Classic: Combines traditional Indian Nankhatai with the earthy flavour of Japanese matcha.

• Buttery and Crumbly: Enjoy a delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture with lightly crisp edges.

• Festive Green Colour: Matcha gives these cookies a beautiful green shade, making them perfect for Diwali.

• Perfect for Gifting: Add them to homemade festive sweet boxes or Diwali hampers.

• A Delicious Tea-Time Treat: Enjoy these cookies with tea, coffee or your favourite matcha latte.

📌 Expert Tips

• Use Softened Butter: To get the light and crumbly texture, keep butter at room temperature instead of melting it. 

• Sift Your Matcha: Always sift matcha powder before mixing it with the dry ingredients to avoid lumps and uneven colour.

• Don't Overmix the Dough: Mix only until the ingredients come together to keep the cookies tender.

• Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate the shaped cookies for 15 minutes to help prevent excessive spreading.

• Experiment with Toppings: Try almonds, sliced pistachios, or chopped nuts for a delicious finishing touch.

📌 Final Thoughts

This Matcha Nankhatai brings back the nostalgic memories of the traditional Nankhatai with a refreshing tea, by adding matcha, it gives a modern and fun twist to nankhatai cookie. The buttery texture, a subtle cardamom aroma and beautiful green colour makes it look very attractive.

In this festive season try making something different and serve it to your family and friends during the get togethers and add a matcha twist to it.

Looking to experiment with more matcha recipes? Explore Bree Matcha and bring a little matcha magic into your kitchen!