Fudgy Cardamom Squares – incredibly flavorful with a fudgy consistency, these warmly spiced bars will disappear fast – you should just make a double batch.
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I have been a fan of Vegan Richa for years – drawn in with her stunning photography, I keep coming back for her inventive recipes using complex layers of flavor and bright colors. I love the flavors of Indian foods – Jason and I both do – and have a few favorites that I make often. Richa’s recipes are not only delicious, they are approachable as well.
Also, have you ever seen a Richa burger? They are epic.
Lately, Richa has been very hard at work on a grand project – Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen: Traditional and Creative Recipes for the Home Cook:
Just like her blog, Richa’s book is a welcoming and beautiful journey through the savory flavors of Indian cooking. She demystifies spices and ingredients unfamiliar, transforms traditional recipes in a modern way, and leaves vegans happily able to enjoy a vast variety of fantastic recipes.
Richa breaks down pantry staples, fresh ingredients and kitchen tools. She has grocery lists, soaking and cooking times, and even the must have items (I agree that asafoetida is a must have!).
From a Savory Oats Hash (Kanda Poha) and Indian Spiced Milk Tea (Masala Chai) for breakfast, Mashed Potato Fritters (Aloo Bonda) and Onion Chile Fritters (Pakora – my favorite!) as snacks, and Royal Tofu and Cashews (Shahi “Paneer”) or Butter Seitan Curry (Seitan Makhani) for dinner, this was one cookbook review that left me happily satisfied.
That Seitan Makhani is terrific.
While I have some new savory favorites in this book, I cannot decide if I am happier about those new discoveries, or the new desserts I have tried. The Saffron Cream Fudge (Malai Peda) is out of this world. I love it, I cannot get enough of it. The Pistachio Spoon Fudge (Pistachio Halwa) is next on my list.
The recipe I share with you today is definitely a new favorite – I am making it again tomorrow for an event, actually – Fudgy Cardamom Squares (Vegan Kalakand). These are deliciously rich and flavorful:
Fudgy Cardamom Squares
YIELD: 12 bars
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup almond milk
2 teaspoons vegan butter or safflower oil
1/2 cup ground sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 cup ground raw or blanched almonds or fine almond meal
1/4 cup oat flour
1/3 cup or more coconut flour
seeds from 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300 °F.
Combine almond milk, oil, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix well to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a bubbling boil, about 4 minutes.
Continue to boil the mixture for 2 minutes. Take off heat and mix in the cardamom powder. Cool for 5 minutes.
Add ground almonds, oat flour, 1/3 cup coconut flour, and cardamom seeds to the saucepan. Mix well to form a soft dough. Add 1 tablespoon more coconut flour if the mixture is too wet. Mix and let sit for a minute before adding more. The mixture will continue to get less wet as it sits. Taste and add 1 tablespoon more sugar if you like it sweeter.
Pat the sticky dough onto parchment-lined sheet into a 1/4-inch thick square. Cut into 1-inch squares using a knife or a pizza cutter.
Bake for 16 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush almond milk or oil on top. Cool completely before serving or storing. Store on the counter for a day and refrigerated for up to 7 days.
Levan @ MyWifeMakes.com says
Richa is awesome and so are you!! Loving the Fudgy Cardamom Squares. AND the animated GIFs too 🙂 Awesome stuff!
Marissa says
I love Vegan Richa’s recipes as well as anything that says “fudgy” or cardamom”. These look so yum!
Kristina Sloggett says
you would love her book, Marissa, AND these bars!
Annie says
I’m loving Richa’s book. It’s just incredible. I mean, I knew it would be – – but still – – everything I’ve made has been fabulous.
Kristina Sloggett says
I agree, Annie! I have made several recipes so far, loving them all!
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
This looks fantastic, perfect for breakfast or after workout snack!
Kristina Sloggett says
exactly, Florian – I like the way you think (and I *did* have one today after tennis!) 🙂
Healing Tomato says
You are the second person I have seen this week to use Cardamom based recipe. You have no idea how happy I am to see it. I use it a lot in Indian cuisine, so, I know the wonderful healing powers of that ingredient. Your recipe looks so delightful. I have never tried to combine fudge and cardamom. My taste buds are dancing in anticipation.
Kristina Sloggett says
cardamom is one of my favorites, this morning I made a cashew butter blondie with rose and cardamom.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
You had me at fudgy. I love Richa’s creations – so wholesome but decadent. And your action shots are awesome Kristina!
Kristina Sloggett says
hee, thanks – I think they’re fun. these bars – OOOH so good!
jean says
I love the look and sound of these cardamom squares and I bet they smelled great coming out of the oven. Your pictures also show how soft the texture is–would love to try this recipe!
Kristina Sloggett says
my whole kitchen smelled so good, Jean! and yes – very fudgy texture – I hope you try, super easy to make!
Josie- Eat Thrive Glow says
These look amazing, Kristina! Love everything in these bars, from the cardamom to the almond milk 🙂
Jackie says
Oooh, these look great!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I’ve been loving seeing Richa’s recipes make the rounds on the interwebs- These look dense, delicious and well…my dessert now!
Kristina Sloggett says
right? so fun, I am SO happy for Richa, her book is perfection. and yes, you should make these!
Richa {VeganRicha.com} says
Yay! love the gif!! thank you so much for the wonderful review Kristina. So glad you tried so many recipes!! and loved them! thank you for being a part of the blog tour! XOXOXXO
Richa {VeganRicha.com} says
Also try the balti sauce, mango sauce and pasanda sauce!
Kristina Sloggett says
yes, that mango sauce is calling my name, thanks again Richa!
Kristina Sloggett says
thank YOU for such a wonderful book, Richa! Jason was very happy to see it when it arrived – he loves Indian food and has enjoyed everything so far!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love cardamom – when I remember I try to add a pinch to any baked good. Need to try these. And you again with the GIFs. One day I’m going to try it, I swear.
Kristina Sloggett says
you totally need to get on the gif action (HA, see what I did there?)!