Chocolate Orange Fennel Nankhatai

2 days ago 4

Democracy Dies successful Darkness

clock35 minscourseDessert

4.4 (20)

By Pooja Bavishi

Nankhatai are a fashionable Indian cookie, and this mentation honors that contented portion bringing successful flavors that consciousness celebratory and a small unexpected. Ghee and semolina bring the signature texture, but a spot much sweetener and a pinch of brackish equilibrium it each out. Orange zest offers a popular of brightness, fennel adds a mildly spiced note, and a dip successful cocoa makes them consciousness festive capable for a cooky container oregon a wintry afternoon. It’s a no-mixer recipe, which means it’s arsenic casual to marque arsenic it is to eat.

Adapted from “Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian Flavors” by Pooja Bavishi (Weldon Owen, 2025).

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 20 (makes 20 cookies)

2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
Scant 1 cupful (115 grams) confectioners' sugar
1/4 cupful (45 grams) coarse semolina (see Where to bargain and Substitutions)
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed fennel (see Notes and Substitutions)
1/2 spoon baking powder
1/2 spoon good salt
3/4 cupful positive 2 tablespoons (150 grams) ghee (see Substitutions)
1 tablespoonful finely grated orangish zest (from 1 orange)
7 ounces (200 grams) milk, semisweet oregon acheronian cocoa (chopped oregon chips)
1 tablespoonful (20 grams) refined coconut oil

Nutritional Facts

Per cookie

Calories
173
Fat
10 g
Saturated Fat
5 g
Carbohydrates
20 g
Sodium
69 mg
Cholesterol
23 mg
Protein
2 g
Fiber
1 g
Sugar
8 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from “Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian Flavors” by Pooja Bavishi (Weldon Owen, 2025).

Tested by Becky Krystal, Kristen Hartke and Ben Weiner.

Published March 10, 2026