Ka’ak. If you have not heard of them, it’s fine, I did not either until my neighbor dropped off some of them to me. It is a crunchy, bold-flavored wreath-like cookies. I have no reference or any sentimentality towards the cookies, but I must say they have become a favorite of mine since. It’s one of those cookies that has a very grown up taste to it. It looks and tastes very outside the box, sort of savory-ish (if that’s a word). After a bit of pestering and almost stalking her, I managed to get the recipe out of her. On a side note, if you want to protect a family recipe, do not make them for me:).
They are crunchy and definitely not your traditional cookie. They’ve got an appeal that deserves attention. They don’t require special equipment or special attention. They travel well, keep well, and are amazing when you dunk them in your cup of chai in the evenings.
Trust me, these taste so different in a good way. You will just fall in love with them. What’s better, it’s EASY. I know, I say this in every post. But, this one is pretty simple to make and not bad to look at if I may say so myself:).
When I first tasted the cookie, I noticed that the taste seemed quite similar to something I have eaten before. That is the delicacy ‘Adirasam’, a sweet, rice based dish made only during Diwali in South India. It’s deep-fried and is a specialty which requires a lot of tips and a lesson from your mom to get it perfectly right. I still am mastering it (almost giving up). This cookie tastes quite similar to the authentic ‘athirasam’, although there are just a couple of ingredients in common with both. Those are the spices. which do make a difference. If you are from the Southern Part of India, love Adirasam, or if you like grown up cookies, or COOKIES period. this one’s for you! Give it a try!
Happy Baking! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- 4 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup white seasame seeds
- 2 tsp dried yeast
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp anise seeds
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp orange blossom water
- 2egg
- ½ cup veg oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- egg wash
- ¼ cup of water as needed
- Add yeast to 4tbsp of warm water with a 1tbsp of sugar. Let it foam up for about 10-15 minutes.
- Crush fennel and anise seeds to a coarse powder in a mortal and pestle.
- Toast the seasame seed lightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all purpose flour, sugar, seasame seeds, baking powder, fennel and anise powder, salt. Mix everything.
- Add the eggs, vegetable oil, orange blossom water, and make a dough adding little bit of water a time. The dough has to be soft and pliable. It should not be too hard or too soft, like a softer tortilla dough.
- Knead for 3-5 minutes. Let sit in a covered bowl for 5 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Make small lemon size balls and roll in to 5 inch cylinders and pinch the ends. Now make slits to the corner of the circle making sure not to cut through.
- Put it on a parchment paper and let sit for 15 minutes, covered.
- Brush the top with some egg white for the glossiness. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool on wire rack and store in airtight containers.
Do not over bake.
ENJOY!!
Look really delicious!
I whish you a lovely and happy Christmas!!
I love these cookies!!
Look awesome!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much Gloria.
wow some yeast cookies! I love the spices in those rustic and beautiful cookies.
Thanks Angie.
i have never heard of this but sounds pretty good – esp fennel and sesame together!
Thanks D!!
What an interesting savoury-ish cookie and it certainly looks like a wreath to me. I love those flavours together.
Sort of wreath..I got a bit lazy to be neat:). Thanks Maureen
Just love your blog! You capture each and every dish so beautifully. Fennel is one of my favorite spices and can’t wait to try this recipe. I think it will go perfect with great conversations over a cup of chai 🙂
Thanks my dear, you are so sweet. Thanks for stopping by.
Good that you didn’t give up getting the recipe for us! 😀
Ka’ak sounds familiar but I am not sure if I have tasted them in the past. Gotta google athirasam now.
Wish you a happy festive season!
A Happy Festive season to you too Helene!! You will enjoy Athirasam.
My mom loves all things fennel so I am definitely going to have to make these cookies for her! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks Joanne. Happy Holidays!
Even before I wrote the comment, I pinned them…they are that good. Definitely going to try these cookies.
Oh, you are sweet. Thanks for the pin, need to get on pinterest a bit more. Please let me know if you do try it.
Thanks and Have a fabulous holidays. xoxo
I am sure that Santa will be quite happy to devour every single cookie. Wishing you a very happy holiday and a wonderful 2015, Ash!
Happy Holidays Darlin!!! Have a great one.
With fennel, sesame and anise seeds and orange blossom water – these do sound wonderful, Asha- thanks for sharing these with us – and happy, happy new year to you and your family!
These cookies are so very very very good!!!! Thank you!