These theplas are whole wheat flour brown sugar cookies, perfect with your next cup of tea!
Hello all!
Today marks the beginning of a new series on here, just in time for the holidays!
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 six days, we’ll be releasing a new recipe that would make a perfect addition to your treat box. And on the seventh day, we’ll reveal the whole holiday treat box, as well as lots of tips to create and assemble your own!
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 a traditional, sweet, wheat flour and brown sugar cookie – Thepla.
What is Thepla?
Thepla are a sweet, deep fried puri, with a texture similar to fluffy cookies.
Typically, thepla is made with Gur or Jaggery. In this recipe, we replace Gur or Jaggery with brown sugar. It still has the same deep caramel-like flavor, with the brown sugar. The cookies are then seasoned with cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, and sesame seeds.
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A little about the ingredients
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives these cookies a caramel-like and nutty taste. Using brown sugar also adds moisture to the cookies.
Wheat Flour: This is the same flour that you would use to make rotis or chappatis. It is typically sold as whole grain wheat flour or “chakki atta” at Inidan and Pakistani grocery stores.
Eggs and milk: The eggs and milk help make a dough that helps bind the cookies.
Cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, and sesame seeds: They all give these Thepla their traditional warm and nutty taste.
How to make Thepla?
Step #1: Make the dough
Add all the ingredients (except the oil), and make a dough. If it is too dry, you will need to add milk to help bind it together.
Step #2: Roll out the dough
The next step is to roll out the dough. Take a portion of the dough and roll out on the countertop or work surface.
Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thick, and use a circle cookie cutter or the lid of a jar to cut the dough into circles.
Step #3: Fry the dough
These thepla can be made in either the traditional way by deep-frying them in oil or by using an air-fryer.
Traditional Deep Frying Method:
In a pot, heat enough oil to deep fry the theplas.
Deep fry on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, turning them over halfway, or until they are golden brown.
Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Air Fryer Option
Set the air fryer to 370ºF.
Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place theplas to the basket in a single layer. Brush the tops with additional oil.
Set air-fryer for 3-5 minutes. Then flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
The cooking time may vary by air-fryer. We recommend trying one or two to get the cooking time to your preference to avoid overcooked theplas.
How to store Theplas?
You can store these theplas in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
What to serve with Theplas?
These theplas are perfect with a cup of karak chai, or adrak chai (ginger milk tea).
If you’re looking for more snack recipe at tea time, here are some of our favorite sweet and savory snack, that are perfect with a cup of tea!
If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @thespicemess
Thepla
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole wheat flour or roti atta
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup suji/semolina
- ½ cup coconut dessicated
- ½ cup milk optional
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ -1 teaspoon Cardamom powder
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ – 1 teaspoon Fennel seed crushed not powder
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix them until they come together. If the dough is dry, add some milk, start with a couple of tablespoons, but you might need up to a ½ cup of milk.
- Once the dough is combined, dust some flour on the countertop or work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out a portion of the dough, about 1/4-inch thick. Once it is rolled out, use a circle cookie cutter or the jar of a lid to cut out circles, about 3-inches in diameter.
- Traditional Frying Method: In a pot, heat enough oil to deep fry the theplas. Deep fry on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, turning them over half way, or until they are golden brownTransfer 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 theplas to the basket in a single layer. Brush the tops with additional oil. Set air-fryer for 3-5 minutes. Then flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. (Cooking time may vary by air-fryer).