"Treats for Diwali"-Shankarpali(Sweet Diamond Biscuits)

Diwali is here! Well almost...on the 17th of October!And I am already excited! Have already stared preparing the 'faral/treats' for Diwali, our 'akashkandil/lantern' is already hoisted and we have a 'Diwali Potluck' all planned up!

Just couple days ago,I was reading on 'Facebook'...one of my friends living in USA,was wondering how her son will ever know 'true' Diwali ??? That's a daunting question.'M' and I have sort of come to a solution...somewhat.We have decided to celebrate each and every Indian festival...as much as possible...so that 'E' is introduced to all Indian values and traditions. I feel, if 'we' don't do it...he will never know what it is. It is sort of our responsibility now, to introduce him to 'Indian' culture miles away from India.We celebrate Ganapati, Holi, Sankranti, Dussera,Diwali...here in USA. Last year couple of 'M's friends and their families visited us for a week, in Ithaca for Diwali.We did the 'faral' , abhyang snan (morning diwali special bath), laxmi poojan,bhaubiz...everything.It was soooo much fun.This year, we could not plan such a get together,but still, plan on celebrating 'Diwali' with enthusiasm as if we were in India.Hope 'E' has as much fun as we had as kids in India, in Diwali...ofcourse without the 'fire crackers' here!

Here is the recipe for 'Shankarpali'/Sweet Diamond biscuits that I made yesterday...and they came out really good....crunchy,crispy,sweet and delicious!

Ingredients:
(Measured with  standard 'measuring cup' and measuring spoon.Do not use household drinking cups and eating spoons to measure.Ratios will change and end product may not come out as good.)
2 and 1/2 cups All purpose flour
1 and 1/4 cups sugar
2 and 1/2tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup cold milk (use how much ever is necessary for kneading dough)
1/2tsp baking powder
1tsp Vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
Oil for frying

Method:
1)Bring the butter to room temperature. In a pan beat the butter (like for cake)
2)Add sugar and mix well
3)Add Flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla etc and knead like chapati dough with cold milk.
4)Keep the dough covered in refrigerator for about 1-2 hrs.
5)Knead again with oiled hands
6)Roll out the dough (thicker than chapati) and cut into diamonds
7)Fry in medium hot oil over medium to low flame till golden brown(this is necessary to crisp them up).The shankarpalis will be soft when you take them out.But crisp up once they cool.
8)Drain on paper towel.
9)Let cool. The shankarpalis will be nice and crispy!

Tip:  If for some reason(with any recipe) your Shankarpalis don't crisp up....

If the Shankarpalis aren’t crispy enough, place them on baking sheet and warm in the oven for 10 mins at 275 F.
Let cool… shankarpalis will be nice and crispy!