Kaju watermelon also known as cashew watermelon or kaju katli watermelon is a variation of the famous kaju katli. It is made with cashew nuts, sugar and ghee. These cute little sweets are shaped and decorated to look like tiny watermelon slices.
Kaju Watermelon
I have always loved making cashew sweets, especially during Diwali. After trying and sharing my kaju apple recipe on the blog, I wanted to make another cute variation. So, I made these little kaju watermelons that turned out so pretty and colorful, and they are just as delicious as kaju katli.
About Kaju Watermelon
This kaju watermelon is made with a simple cashew nut and sugar mixture, which is divided, and shaped into tiny watermelon slices. The green outer layer, red centre and tiny black sesame seeds make them look just like miniature watermelon slices.
I used my kaju katli base for making this kaju watermelon. The dough is made simply with cashews and sugar. You have to make the dough first and then dye them in multiple colours.
You layer them and shape them into whole watermelon like and cut them into wedges. These cute little treats are perfect for Diwali, parties or other special occasions to share with friends and family.
Similar Recipes
Ingredients
- Cashew nuts : Cashew nuts are the main ingredient for making kaju watermelon, so use good quality raw whole cashews.
- Sugar : Regular granulated white sugar is used for making the sugar syrup.
- Water : Water used to dissolve the sugar and prepare the syrup.
- Food coloring : Red & Green are used to give the kaju sweets a cute watermelon look. You can use either gel or liquid food coloring and adjust the quantity to get your desired shades.
- Black sesame seeds : A few black sesame seeds are used to create the tiny watermelon seeds.
- Ghee : Ghee used for greasing the surface and hands while kneading the kaju dough.
Step by Step Pictures
Cashew Powder
1)Take raw cashews in a blender and powder it.
2)Don't over run the blender else it will get into a paste like.
Make Sugar Syrup (One string consistency)
3)Heat a nonstick on medium heat. Add granulated sugar in it.
4)Add little water over the sugar and cook on low heat.
5)Swirl the pan to combine sugar with water. Let the sugar melt in the water.
6)Bring this mixture to a boil and simmer them for 5-8 mins till they form one string consistency.
7)To check one string consistency, take few drops of sugar syrup between your fingers and stretch your fingers, it should form a string between them. This is one string consistency.
Make Cashew Mixture
8)Once the sugar has reached this consistency. Add the cashew powder to it and mix well.
9)Stir the cashew powder into the sugar syrup.
10)Continue cooking on low heat. the mixture will start to thicken as you mix.
11) Mix them for 3-4 mins till the mixture leaves the sides and form a sticky dough.
12)Now transfer this mixture to a greased plate and let them cool for 5 mins.
13)Now grease your hands with ghee and knead it well till it get into a soft and smooth dough like consistency.
14)If the mixture looks too dry, Add 1 teaspoon of hot milk and knead till it get soft and smooth. Add some ghee if needed.
Shaping watermelon
15)Divide this mixture into three portions.
16)Dye one portion in red colour and sprinkle some sesame seeds, knead well and set aside.
17)This form the inside of the watermelon.
18)Dye another portion with green colour.
19)Leave the other one as it is.
20)Take a portion of red dough, roll it into a smooth ball. Place it over the flattened white colour dough.
21)bring it together and seal the edges. Shape it into a smooth ball.
22)Now take the green dough, flatten it well. Now place the rolled white portion into the green and roll it smooth.
23)Set aside for 30 minutes to dry.
24)Use a sharp knife to cut into quarters and expose the watermelon.
25)Enjoy.
Expert Tips
Cashew Powder - Grind the cashews in short intervals of 2 to 3 seconds. Don't run the mixture continuously, as the cashews can release oil and turn into a paste.
Get the Dough right - Cook the cashew mixture until it comes together and starts leaving the sides of the pan. Don't overcook as the kaju dough can become hard and difficult to shape. If the dough looks too dry, add a splash of milk to adjust the consistency.
Seal well - Place the red dough cashew ball in the centre of the green dough and seal all the edges. Make sure there are no gaps, or the red filling may show unevenly when you cut it.
Storage - Store the kaju watermelons in an airtight container. It keeps well at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them for 7 to 10 days.
Serving - Serve these cute watermelon shaped kaju sweets as a dessert after a meal. They are also perfect for Diwali, parties and special occasions.
FAQ
Q. Why is my kaju dough sticky ?
The dough may be sticky if it is not cooked enough or contains too much moisture. Cook it for a few more minutes on low heat until it comes together and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
Q. Why does my cashew powder turn oily ?
This happens when you grind the cashews continuously for too long. Grind them in short pulses and stop as soo as you get a fine powder.
Q. Can I use store bought cashew powder ?
Yes, you can use store bought cashew powder. Make sure it is fresh and finely grounded.
📖 Get Recipe
Kaju Katli Watermelon Recipe (Cashew Watermelon Recipe)
Ingredients
For Cashew Powder
- 1 cup Raw Cashews
For Sugar Syrup
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ cup Water
For Decoration
- Red Food Colour
- Green Food Colour
- ½ teaspoon Black Sesame Seeds
- 1 tablespoon Ghee
Instructions
- Take cashews in a blender and powder it. Don't over run the blender else it will get into a paste like.
- Heat a nonstick on medium heat. Add sugar and water to it. Swirl the pan so the sugar melts in the water. Bring this mixture to a boil and simmer them for 5-8 mins till they form one string consistency.
- To check one string consistency, take few drops of sugar syrup between your fingers and it should form a string when your press between them(check image). Or you can add few drops of sugar syrup in a bowl of cold water, the sugar syrup wont get dissolved. You can take the sugar syrup in a spoon and invert them, the last drop falling from the spoon forms a string like consistency.
- Once the sugar has reached this consistency. Add the cashew powder to it and mix well. Mix them for 3-4 mins till the mixture leaves the sides and form a sticky dough. Now transfer this mixture to a greased plate and let them cool for 5 mins.
- Now grease your hands with ghee and knead it well till it gets into a soft and smooth dough like consistency. If the mixture looks too dry, Add 1 teaspoon of hot milk and knead till it gets soft and smooth. Add some ghee if needed.
- Divide this mixture into three portions. Dye one portion in red colour and sprinkle some sesame seeds, knead well and set aside. Dye another portion with green colour. Leave the other one as it is.
- Take a portion of red dough, roll it into a smooth ball. Place it over the flattened white colour dough, bring it together and seal the edges. Shape it into a smooth ball. Now take the green dough, flatten it well. Now place the rolled ball into the green and roll it smooth.
- Set aside for 30 minutes to dry. Use a sharp knife to cut into quarters and expose the watermelon. Serve.
Nutrition
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Abhirami Lakshmanan
Wow.. Tried this today and everyone loved it. Thanks a lot Aarthi.. 😊😊😊