Sugar Free Kaju Katli Recipe: Easy Kaju Barfi at Home Without Sugar or Mawa, Just 0.8 Glycemic Load Per Piece

The Sweet Everyone Reaches For First

Open any mithai box and the kaju katli disappears first. Thin, silvery diamonds that melt the moment they touch your tongue. It is the sweet people gift, the sweet people remember, and for anyone with diabetes, the sweet that hurts the most to say no to.

The problem is not the cashews. Cashews are rich in protein and healthy fats. The problem is the sugar. Most kaju katli recipe versions use half to nearly the same weight of sugar as cashews. So we kept everything that makes kaju katli special and replaced only the sugar. This sugar free kaju katli uses four ingredients, no mawa, no milk powder, and each piece has an approximate glycemic load of just 0.8.

Regular vs Sugar Free Kaju Katli

Glycemic load tells you how much a food actually raises your blood sugar, based on both the type and amount of carbs. With the sugar gone, kaju katli is mostly cashew, protein and fat, which is why each piece stays under 1.

Ingredients for Sugar Free Kaju Barfi

This is one of the simplest kaju barfi recipe versions you will find, and it is also a kaju katli recipe without mawa. Here are the kaju katli recipe ingredients:

Diabexy Sugar Free Powder

The only sweetener in this kaju katli. Zero glycemic index, dissolves into a smooth syrup just like sugar, and gives the classic sweet taste without the blood sugar spike.

Buy here: diabexy.com/products/sugar-free-powder

How to Make Sugar Free Kaju Katli: Step by Step

Kaju katli has a reputation for being tricky, but most of the success comes down to two things: grinding the cashews correctly and kneading the dough while it is warm. Follow these steps for a kaju katli recipe easy enough for a first try.

Step 1: Grind the cashews

Add 200 grams of cashews to a dry grinder and grind into a fine powder. Pulse for a few seconds at a time instead of running it continuously. Long grinding warms the cashews and makes them release oil, which turns the powder pasty. Use cashews at room temperature, not straight from the fridge.

Step 2: Sieve the powder

Pass the cashew powder through a sieve once. Grind any coarse bits left behind again. This step is the secret to a smooth, non-grainy katli.

Step 3: Make the syrup

In a heavy bottomed pan, add 50 grams of Diabexy Sugar Free Powder and a quarter cup of water. Stir on low to medium heat until it dissolves completely into a clear, slightly thick syrup.

Step 4: Add the cashew powder

Lower the flame and add the sieved cashew powder to the syrup. Mix well so there are no lumps.

Step 5: Add ghee and cook

Add a little desi ghee and keep stirring on low flame for a few minutes. The mixture will thicken and start coming together as a soft dough that leaves the sides of the pan. Do not overcook, or the katli will turn dry and crack.

Step 6: Knead on butter paper

Transfer the mixture onto a sheet of butter paper. While it is still warm, knead it gently for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Kneading is what gives kaju katli its melt-in-mouth texture.

Step 7: Roll it out

Place another sheet of butter paper on top and roll the dough out evenly to about a quarter inch thickness. Rolling between two sheets keeps it from sticking and gives a smooth surface.

Step 8: Cut into diamonds

Remove the top paper and cut the sheet into the classic diamond barfi shapes with a sharp knife. Let it cool for a few minutes before separating the pieces.

Step 9: Serve and store

Your sugar free kaju katli is ready. Each piece has an approximate glycemic load of just 0.8. Store in an airtight container.

Troubleshooting: Fix Sticky, Dry or Grainy Kaju Katli

Even experienced cooks run into these problems. Here is how to fix them quickly.

Sugar Free Kaju Katli Calories

People also search for sugar free kaju katli calories. Cashews are calorie dense because of their healthy fats, so kaju katli is never a low calorie sweet, even without sugar. What changes is the source. In regular kaju katli a big share of the calories comes from sugar. In this version, almost all of it comes from cashews, which bring protein and fats that keep you satisfied with one or two pieces. For a diabetic, the bigger win is the glycemic load, which drops to about 0.8 per piece.

Tips for the Best Kaju Katli at Home

• Use fresh, plain cashews: Not roasted or salted.
• Grind in short pulses: Three to four seconds at a time.
• Cook on low flame: High heat makes the syrup and dough harden quickly.
• Knead while warm: Cold dough will not turn smooth.
• Add flavour if you like: A pinch of cardamom or a few drops of rose water work well.
• Keep the portion small: Two pieces is a sensible serving.

Making a big festive batch? This recipe scales easily. For a 1 kg kaju katli recipe, multiply everything by five: 1 kg cashews, 250 grams of Diabexy Sugar Free Powder and 1.25 cups of water, and cook in two batches so the dough is easier to handle.

No Time to Make It? Get Ready Sugar Free Kaju Katli

If you would rather skip the kitchen, Diabexy makes ready sugar free kaju katli with real cashews and pure desi ghee, sweetened without sugar. It is a great gift for anyone in your family managing diabetes.

Diabexy Sugar Free Kaju Katli

Real cashews, pure desi ghee and no sugar. Glucose load of just 3 per 100 g compared to around 60 for regular kaju katli. Tastes like the real thing, ready to serve or gift.

Buy here: diabexy.com/products/sugar-free-kaju-katli

Watch the Full Recipe Video

See the full sugar free kaju katli recipe on the Diabexy YouTube channel:

Watch here: https://youtu.be/kLgHG7vPeGo