KhajA is Lord Jagannath's all-ime favorite sweet,
Ingredients:
2 cup Maida or all purpose flour
2-3 tsp oil/ghee
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water for syrup
oil or ghee for frying
Thick paste of 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup flour
little bit of baking powder and soda
Process:
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and oil. Mix well with your fingers until the mixture is crumbly. Gradually add water and knead the dough for 10–15 minutes until smooth and pliable. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Once rested, take a small portion of the dough and roll it out into a thin circle, like a roti. Spread a thick paste of flour and oil evenly over the surface of the rolled dough. Starting from one edge, roll the roti tightly like a log or rope.
Cut this rolled rope into 1-inch pieces. Take each piece and gently roll it out again into a 5–6 inch disc—this will form the layered khaja.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium-low and carefully drop in the khajas. Fry until they turn light golden brown, then remove and drain on paper towels.
In a separate pan, prepare the sugar syrup by boiling sugar and water until it reaches a slightly sticky, thick consistency. Turn off the heat once the syrup is ready.
Dip each fried khaja into the warm syrup, one at a time, and remove quickly so it doesn’t get soggy.
Allow the khajas to cool completely. Once cooled, they are ready to be offered to the Lord or enjoyed as a divine sweet treat.