Baked Thekua, Ancient Indian Cookie from Bihar

Thekua is a revered prasad offering to god in the Chhath Puja. Also known as Khajuria, Khajoor, Thokwa, Thekari, Thekua is a quintessential Bihari item made during Chhath Puja.Traditionally Thekua making process involves deep frying the dough but here I have presented the baked version of Thekua.

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu Vedic Festival historically native to the Indian Subcontinent. More specifically the indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh and the Madhesh region of Nepal. The Chhath Puja is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya and Shashthi devi (Chhathi Maiya) in order to thank them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.

People in these places have used Thekua as a sweet snack for centuries . This is the simplest form of cookie, and uses just 3 main ingredients. Traditionally Thekua is deep fried. The Baked Thekua takes less time to make without compromising on taste since one can make multiple pieces in one batch. But I have tried not to alter anything else in terms of ingredients ot method of making. I have only substituted the deep frying part with Baking.

Thekua is the simplest Indian cookie since it uses just three key ingredients: Whole Wheat flour, Jaggery and Ghee. And to enhance flavor you can add fennel seeds, cardamom powder, dry coconut or other dry fruits.

The Thekua serves as an excellent snack. I personally love the combination of sweet Thekua with spicy Red chilli pickle. Try this and I am sure that you will fall in love with this combination.

About Chhath Festival (from wikipedia)

Chhath is a Vedic ritual dedicated to Hindu solar deity Surya and goddess Shashthi (also called Chhathi Maiyya). It has also been mentioned in both the major Indian epics – In Ramayana, when Rama and Sita returned Ayodhya then people celebrated Diwali and on its sixth day Ramrajya was established. On this day Rama and Sita kept fast and Surya Shashthi/Chhath Puja was performed by Sita. Hence, she was blessed with Luv and Kush as their sons. While in the Mahabharata, Chhath Puja was performed by Kunti after they escaped from Lakshagrih.

Below are some photos of Chhath celebrations. Thanks to Uma Sinha for sharing these photos.

If you are looking for some more festival recipes, please check below posts of mine:

Traditional Steamed Modak,Sweet Kozhukattai, Ukadiche Modak, Ganesh Chaturthi Special

Sundal Recipes, Easy, Healthy, Protein-Rich, Vegan Snack

Baked Thekua, Ancient Indian Cookie from Bihar

fitnfastrecipes

Thekua is a revered prasad offering to god in the Chhath Puja. Also known as Khajuria, Khajoor, Thokwa, Thekari, Thekua is a quintessential Bihari item made during Chhath Puja.Traditionally Thekua is deep fried. I have presented the baked version of Thekua her

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course festival recipe

Cuisine Indian

Servings 16

Calories 201 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups Whole wheat Flour
• ¾ cup Powdered Jaggery
• ½ cup Grated Dry Coconut
• 3 tbsp Ghee
• 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
• ½ cup Water

Instructions

 

• Add Jaggery to a Pan.
  
• Add Water.
  
• Heat till jaggery melts. There is no need to boil it.
  
• Strain the prepared Jaggery Water.
  
• Keep it aside to cool.
  
• Take Whole Wheat Flour in a wide mouthed vessel.
  
• Add Fennel seeds.
  
• Add Cardamom powder
  
• Add Ghee.
  
• Gently mix everything.
  
• Then add grated dry coconut and mix everything.
  
• Add melted jaggery little by little, about two tablespoons at a time and knead.
  
• Make a stiff dough.
  
• Traditionally wooden moulds are used for making patterns on thekua.
  
• Prese lime size balls on mould and make oval shaped thekua.
  
• You can make round shaped Thekua as well.
  
• In the absence of wooden mould, you can use any other object which has a pattern.
  
• Prepare about 16 Thekuas with this measurement.
  
• Traditionally Thekua is deep fried.
  
• Deep fry in low medium flame till it turns brown from both sides.
  
• Arrange Thekuas on a Baking tray. Brush thekuas with some ghee.
  
• Bake in a preheated oven @ 370°F/180°C for 15 minutes on one side.
  
• Flip the thekuas and bake again for 7 minutes.
  
• Take out and let cool.It may appear soft initially but will harden eventually.
  
• These Baked Thekuas can be stored for over 2 weeks. Enjoy them as a sweet or snack.
  

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