Peda Crumble Cookies for Diwali

Peda Crumble Cookies are a delicious blend of traditional Indian flavors and modern baking techniques, making them the perfect Indian fusion treat.

Combining the rich, milky essence of peda with a crumbly, buttery cookie base, these cookies beautifully capture the essence of classic Indian sweets in a contemporary form.

From Cookie Dough to Crumble

Diwali cookies have long been a cherished part of festive celebrations, from traditional nankhatais to modern flavored variations and diya-shaped cookies—each one adding a special touch to my Diwali traditions.

This Peda Crumble Cookies recipe takes it a step further with three irresistible layers

1. Buttery Base: Crafted from shortbread cookies, delivers a satisfying crunch with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that perfectly balances crispness and softness.
2. Surprise Element: The hidden raspberry layer adds a tangy burst of flavor, offering a delightful contrast to the rich cookie base.
3. Peda Crumble Topping: Inspired by the traditional Indian pedas, brings a creamy sweetness and crumbly texture that beautifully ties the whole cookie together

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes:

• Raspberry Filling: I am using homemade filling here; if you decide to make your own too (which I highly recommend) you might need few additional ingredients that you can check out in our How to make Raspberry Filling recipe. Or you can use store bought raspberry jam to save time.
• Almond Flour: You can pulse the almonds in the mixer. Sieve and use that too.
• Sugar: Using caster sugar for preparing the crumble and powdered sugar for the classic shortbread cookie base.

Let's make Peda Crumble Cookies

Step 1 - Pre-preparations

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (360°F).
2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners for easy removal
3. Chill the ghee in the refrigerator for 30 mins.

Step 2 - Prepare the Raspberry Filling

Transfer to a bowl to cool completely and cover with cling wrap to avoid the formation of skin on top.

Refer to our raspberry filling recipe for more in depth tutorial.

Alternatively, you can skip this step by using store-bought raspberry jam.

Step 3 - Make the Peda Crumble Topping

• Combine all-purpose flour, milk powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl.
• Add the chilled ghee and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Optionally, stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped pistachios or almonds for added texture.
• Set this aside

Step 4 - Prepare the Cookie Base

In another mixing bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. (image 3)

In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, almond flour, cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt.

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture using a spatula, mixing until a soft dough forms. (image 4)

Step 5 - Assemble the Cookie cups

• Divide the cookie dough evenly among the lined muffin cups, pressing about 2 tsp or 16 gms of dough into the bottom of each liner to create an even base.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam over each cookie dough base, spreading it gently to cover the surface.
• Evenly sprinkle the peda crumble topping over the raspberry jam layer in each muffin cup, ensuring a generous layer for extra flavor.
• Chill the cookies for at least 10 mins and then place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the crumble is golden brown and the cookie base is set.

These Peda Crumble Cookie Cups are an inviting fusion of flavors and textures, perfect for any festive occasion!

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store the cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to maintain their crisp texture.

Refrigeration: If you prefer a longer shelf life, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Bring them to room temperature before serving to enjoy their full flavor.

Freezing: For extended storage, you can freeze the baked cookie cups in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours, or warm them in the oven for a few minutes to refresh the texture.

Best Tips:

• Chill Your Ghee: Ensure the ghee for the crumble is well-chilled before mixing it into the dry ingredients. This helps create a crumbly texture, rather than a greasy one.
• Use a Spatula for Mixing the Dough: After creaming the butter and sugar, avoid using a beater to mix the flour. Using a beater can make the dough too creamy, which makes it difficult to shape. Instead, switch to a spatula for a more manageable dough consistency.
• Avoid Overfilling with Jam: Add a thin layer of jam, just enough to spread across the dough. Too much can make the cookies soggy or overflow during baking.
• Cool Completely Before Removing: Let the cookies cool fully in the pan before removing them. This will help them set properly and prevent crumbling.
• Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye on the cookies during the last few minutes of baking. Once the crumble turns golden brown, they are ready to come out of the oven. Overbaking can make them dry. And under baking makes them crumbly and the cookie won't hold its shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Recipes

1. Nankhatais - Traditional and Flavored
2. Raspberry Filling
3. Wish to Join US for the love of BAKING? Subscribe to our newsletter and Youtube channel. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!