Pistachio Cakes (an Iranian delicacy)

Pistachio Nuts are readily available in almost all the Middle Eastern Countries and they are most popular in Iran!They form a part of many beliefs and traditions and become a part of meals from a simple everyday fare to lavish weddings and common funeral rituals.There is almost no celebration or event which takes place without Pistachios.Here is a very simple yet absolutely delicious cake which can be made very quickly.These are one of those cakes where the quantity of powdered nuts is more than the quantity of flour and sugar.

NOTE – ANYONE ALLERGIC TO NUTS SHOULD NOT MAKE THIS RECIPE.PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING OUT ANY NUT RECIPE!

Preparation Time : 45 minutes

Makes : 11 – 12 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

For the cakes :

225 gms Pistachio nuts

150 gms soft unsalted butter/150 ml odourless refined oil like sunflower,rice bran or any blended oils

120 gms powdered sugar

2 eggs

20 gms plain flour/all purpose flour/maida

20 gms cornflour

For the top :

2 tbsp jam (Apricot.Grape or mixed fruit give perfect results)

1 tbsp water

Pistachio nuts to decorate

METHOD

Make the cakes :

Preheat oven to 175°C.Coarsely chop 75 gms of the nuts and grind the rest into a fine powder.Beat the eggs well in a bowl and keep aside.

Prepare a muffin pan by brushing it with oil or butter,sprinkling a little flour over it and sprinkling over with the coarsely powdered Pistachios.

In a mixing bowl beat butter/oil and sugar till pale and foamy.Add eggs and beat again till incorporated and light.Fold the plain flour,cornflour and powdered pistachios into it.

Spoon 2 tbsp into each muffin hole so as to fill half of it.This batter should make 11 – 12 cakes.Thump the tray on a kitchen countertop to remove any air bubbles.

Bake for 20 – 25 minutes till a light golden brown on top.

Take out and leave to cool for 15 – 20 minutes.

Make the topping :

Heat the jam with the water till it bubbles and take off heat.Brush on top of the cooled cakes and stick 2 – 3 whole Pistachio nuts on top.

Serve :

Serve with tea or coffee or as a dessert with some yogurt and honey or a fruit compote.