How to Make Indian Baked Goods with Minimal Ingredients

Indian baked goods are renowned for their rich flavors and delightful textures, but you don’t always need a long list of ingredients to create delicious treats. With a few minimal ingredients, you can whip up classic favorites that satisfy your sweet tooth. Here’s a guide on how to make Indian baked goods with minimal ingredients.

1. Simple Nankhatai (Indian Shortbread Cookies)

Nankhatai is a traditional Indian cookie that is incredibly simple to make. Here’s how:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter), 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of cardamom powder.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ghee and powdered sugar until creamy.
  3. Gradually add all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cardamom powder, mixing until a dough forms.
  4. Shape the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly on a baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. Allow them to cool before serving.

2. Rawa Kesari (Semolina Cake)

This delightful semolina dessert can be prepared with minimal ingredients:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup semolina, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup ghee, a pinch of saffron, and cashews for garnish.

Instructions:

  1. Heat ghee in a pan and add semolina, roasting it until it turns golden.
  2. In another pot, bring water to a boil and add sugar, stirring until dissolved.
  3. Gradually pour the sugar water into the roasted semolina, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
  4. Add saffron and cook until it thickens. Garnish with fried cashews before serving.

3. Eggless Banana Bread

This moist banana bread is perfect for using up overripe bananas and requires just a few staples:

  • Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter (or oil), 1 teaspoon baking powder, and a pinch of salt.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl. Add sugar and melted butter (or oil), mixing well.
  3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Mix the dry ingredients with the banana mixture until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4. Coconut Ladoo

Coconut ladoos are a quick and easy treat that requires minimal ingredients:

  • Ingredients: 2 cups grated coconut (fresh or desiccated), 1 cup condensed milk, and a pinch of cardamom powder.

Instructions:

  1. In a pan, combine grated coconut and condensed milk.
  2. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
  3. Add cardamom powder and mix well.
  4. Allow the mixture to cool slightly and then shape it into small balls.
  5. Roll them in extra coconut (optional) and let them cool completely before serving.

5. Baked Besan (Chickpea Flour) Cookies

These nutty cookies are both gluten-free and easy to make:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup besan (chickpea flour), 1/2 cup ghee, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat