Natascha Mirosch
From the book Parwana by Durkhanai Ayubi
Recipes by Farida Ayubi with assistance from Fatema Ayubi
Khetayee // sweet biscuits for Eid (p. 146)
Serves 12
These traditional sweet biscuits are usually made during Eid celebrations in Afghanistan. During my parents’ time there, people bought these from the local bakeries called kulchah feroshees, which used age-old techniques, and had special ovens to bake biscuits and pastries to perfection.
300 g (2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
110 g (1 cup) full-cream (whole) milk powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
125 g (1 cup) icing (confectioners’) sugar
310 ml (1¼ cups) warm oil
35 g (¼ cup) ground pistachios
Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).
Add all the ingredients, except the oil and pistachios, to a bowl and mix to combine well. Slowly add the oil and, using your hands, mix to form a soft but firm dough.
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll them into smooth balls between your palms. Place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper and press each ball with your hand to flatten slightly. Put an indent at the centre of the biscuit with your thumb, then bake on the middle shelf in the oven for 20 minutes, or until they are light golden.
Cool the khetayee briefly on the tray before transferring them to a wire rack. Add a small pinch of ground pistachios to the indent of each biscuit to decorate and serve when they are completely cooled. Khetayee can be stored for 3–4 days in an airtight container.