Kaju Halwa / Kaju Kesari / Cashew Nut Fudge - Easy Diwali Sweet Recipe

Hello folks, Hope you had a blasting Diwali Celebration and enjoyed the festival with your family & friends. We too had fun eating sweets & savories which i cooked, simple lunch - Vegetable Biryani, Raita & Vermicelli Paal Payasam. The day went happily & peacefully with my family. Only thing which made my kids upset was they did not burst any firecrackers but what to do here we don't have such facilities. Hope in future they get a chance to enjoy Diwali in India with their Grand parents, Uncles & Aunts :)

our Diwali Breakfast - Rice Murukku,Maida Biscuits,Atta Laddu,Mysore Pa,Kaju halwa,
Rava Kesar,Mixture (recipe coming soon)

Now Coming to the recipe, Cashew Halwa / Kaju Halwa this is one easy and simple recipe like that of Kaju Katli. This Kaju Halwa doesn't need any sugar syrup and no stress to reach single string consistency, yup.,Halwa without sugar syrup, this is more or like a Rava Kesari. This recipe was shared by a friend of mine, i slightly tweaked and it turned out awesome. Taste was similar to a Kaju Katli with soft and moist texture. Don't bother about the name, the recipe is so so delicious and am sure from kids to elder ones, everyone will love it. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out to you. Now off to the recipe..

Soaking Time : 2 hrs Preparation Time : 5 minutes

Cooking Time : 20 minutes

Yield : 10-12 pieces

Ingredients

1. Cashew Nuts,Raw     1 cup
2. Sugar,powdered    3/4 cup (you can add up to 1 cup)
3. Cardamom Powder   1/4 tsp
4. Ghee    2 tsp

Method

• Wash and soak Raw Cashew nuts for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. After that drain excess water grind cashew nuts to a fine paste using 1 tbsp water. 

• Then heat 2 tsp oil in a pan, add ground cashew paste and powdered sugar and keep stirring in low-medium heat until it thickens and raw smell leaves.
• Once it get thickens add cardamom powder and keep stirring for another 3-4 minutes.

• By now, the halwa has no moisture and if you Pinch a small piece of kaju halwa and roll it, it should not be sticky and makes a smooth ball then that;s the right consistency and now switch off the stove and transfer kaju halwa to a greased plate or parchment paper.

• Shape it to a square and cover it and leave it aside until it gets cool down completely.
• After cooling cut in to desire shape and size and serve or store it in refrigerator. Its stays good in the fridge for two days.
• But don't worry you will end up in eating all those yummy halwa in no minutes :)

Notes:
Do not add more water to grind cashew nuts, 1-2 tbsp is more than enough.
I added 3/4 cup of sugar and the sweetness was ok to us but i felt 1 cup will be perfect for a sweet tooth.
If you want you can garnish Kaju Halwa with sliced almonds or chopped pistachios.

Sending this to Diwali Delicacies Event By Me & Priya and to Vardhini's Diwali Bash Event.