Shufts is a traditional Kashmiri dessert that features sugar-coated chunks of paneer (cottage cheese), a range of ghee-fried dry fruits, sprinkled with spices like cardamom powder, black pepper, and cinnamon powder.
Shufta is a traditional Kashmiri delicacy specific to the Kashmiri Pandit community, prepared during various festivals and celebrations. The dessert uses a range of sugar-syrup-coated dry fruits. Paneer (cottage cheese), cashews, almonds, apricots, dates, and raisins are shallow-fried in ghee before being rolled in a sugar syrup.
While preparing the sweet dish, one has to be careful about how much each ingredient is fried. Paneer needs to be ghee-fried until it turns golden brown. Dry fruits, such as cashews, almonds, dates, and apricots, should be fried until they release a distinct aroma. Raisins and grated coconut must be fried at the very end because they fry and turn brown faster than the other ingredients.
As we are in the midst of the festive season, shufta will make for an easy-to-make and quick dessert for your celebrations and gatherings.