Shakarpara are bite-sized sugar cookies – these addictive treats are perfect with your afternoon cup of tea!

Hello all!

Today is the fourth day of our 2020 DIY Holiday Treat Box Series!

DIY Holiday Treat Box

Mom and I have been working on a DIY Holiday Treat Box for this year! Since the holidays will look different for us all this year, this treat box can be a fun way to share sweets and treats with your neighbors, friends, and families!

Over the next few days, we’ll be releasing a new recipe that would make a perfect addition to your treat box. And on the last day, we’ll reveal the whole holiday treat box, as well as lots of tips to create and assemble your own!

Catch up on the other recipes so far here:

If you want to make sure you don’t miss a day, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Or join our email list!

For today, we are focusing on bite-sized sugar cookies – Shakarpara.

What is Shakar Para?

Shakar Para are deep fried, bite-sized treats. They are made of a simple dough made with flour, butter or ghee, and sugar. Cardamom is added for some flavor.

Traditionally they are cut into diamond sized pieces and then fried.

The recipe below has instructions for both the traditional deep frying method and an air fryer method!

These treats are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea, or as we’re using them today, for a treat box or platter!

Tips for Shakar Para

Allow the butter/ghee to cool a little before adding the flour to the mixture.
Start by mixing the flour into the butter without water at first. Then add a little water as necessary. If the dough gets too sticky, then add a little flour.
Let the dough rest for at least 20-30 minutes before working with it.
Traditionally, shakar para is cut into diamonds, but you can also just cut them into squares for ease.

How to store Shakar Para?

Shakar Para will keep in for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @thespicemess

Shakar Para

Shakarpara are bite-sized sugar cookies – these addictive treats that are perfect with your afternoon cup of tea!

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Course Snack

Cuisine Indian, Pakistani

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons Ghee or butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
½-¾ teaspoon green cardamom, ground
¼ cup water if needed, see recipe notes
Oil to fry

Instructions

In a small pot, add the sugar and ghee or butter. Turn the stove on low heat, and heat just until the butter has melted into the sugar.
You can also use the microwave for this step, and heat the ghee/butter and sugar for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until it has melted.
Let cool for about five minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and cardamom powder. Add the sugar and butter mixture to this.
Combine to make a dough. The dough should not be sticky. If it is to dry add a little water (about 2 tablespoons at a time), if the dough it too wet, add a little flour. Let it rest for 20-30 mins.
Take dough and divide into 4 equal sized balls
Roll out onne ball of dough, and cut into 1-inch diamonds.
Traditional Frying Method:
In a pot, heat enough oil to deep fry the shakar para. Deep fry on medium heat for about 1-2 minutes, turning them over half way, or until they are golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to remove excess oil.
Air Fry Option: Set the air fryer to 370ºF. Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place shakar paras into the basket in a single layer. Brush the tops with additional oil. Set air-fryer for 3 minutes. Then flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes. (Cooking time may vary by air-fryer).

Notes

Note: You may or may not need water to make the dough. Start by mixing the flour into the butter without water first, and add a little as necessary. If the dough gets too sticky, then add a little flour.