ขนมเกลียว

ขนมเกลียว — Easy Homemade Thai Twisted Cookies for Beginners

Introduction to ขนมเกลียว

ขนมเกลียว is a classic Thai twisted cookie—crisp, slightly sweet, and fun to make. This beginner-friendly recipe walks you through a simple dough, shaping technique, and frying tips so you can make golden twists at home. Perfect for snacks, sharing, or a festive treat, this version balances crisp texture with a light sweetness and optional sesame glaze.

Ingredients for ขนมเกลียว

• 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 50 g (1/4 cup) rice flour (optional — makes them crispier)
• 30–40 g (3–4 tbsp) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 60 g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg
• 30–40 ml (2–3 tbsp) water or coconut milk, as needed to bind
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional for coating)
• Vegetable oil for deep frying (about 1–2 liters, enough for 3–4 cm / 1–1.5 in depth)
• Optional simple syrup for glaze: 50 g sugar + 2 tbsp water (heat until dissolved)

Instructions to Make ขนมเกลียว

1. Prepare the dry mix: In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, rice flour (if using), sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Cut in the butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the dry mix. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add wet ingredients: Beat the egg with vanilla (if using). Add the egg and 1 tbsp of water to the flour-butter mix. Stir and then add more water, 1 tsp at a time, until the dough comes together into a soft but not sticky ball.
4. Rest the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic or place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to roll and shape.
5. Divide and shape: On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 20–24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long and 1 cm (about 1/3 in) thick. Fold each rope in half, then twist the two strands together to form a tight twist. Pinch the ends to seal.
6. Heat the oil: In a heavy pot, heat vegetable oil to 160–170°C (320–338°F). Use a thermometer if you have one—moderate heat helps cook the inside without burning the outside.
7. Fry the twists: Fry a few twists at a time without overcrowding. Cook for 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden and cooked through. If needed, increase oil temperature slightly (to ~175–180°C / 347–356°F) toward the end for extra crispness.
8. Drain and finish: Remove twists with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. If using syrup glaze, briefly dip each warm twist in the syrup and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Otherwise, toss in a little extra sugar while still warm for a simple finish.
9. Cool and store: Let the ขนมเกลียว cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container to preserve crispness.

Cooking Tips for Perfect ขนมเกลียว

– Oil temperature is key: start frying at a moderate temperature (160–170°C / 320–338°F) so the inside cooks through, then raise slightly for a golden finish. Use a kitchen thermometer if possible.

– Uniform size: Roll ropes to a consistent thickness so all pieces cook evenly.

– Don’t overcrowd the pot: Fry in small batches to keep oil temperature stable and prevent soggy results.

– Rest the dough: Chilling reduces stickiness and helps the twists hold their shape during frying.

– Flavor variations: Substitute a portion of the sugar with palm sugar for a deeper flavor, or add a pinch of ground cardamom or pandan extract for a Thai twist.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per piece)

Serving: 1 ขนมเกลียว (recipe yields about 20–24 pieces)

• Calories: ~150 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~18 g
• Fat: ~8 g
• Protein: ~2 g
• Sugar: ~6 g
• Sodium: ~80 mg

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and will vary with ingredient brands, frying oil absorption, and final portion size. Glazing with syrup increases sugar and calories.

Conclusion: Make ขนมเกลียว at Home

ขนมเกลียว is a delightful, approachable Thai snack that’s rewarding to make at home. With simple pantry ingredients, a little shaping practice, and attention to frying temperature, you can create crisp, golden twists perfect for sharing. Try the basic recipe first, then experiment with sesame seeds, palm sugar, or aromatic extracts to make ขนมเกลียว your own. Enjoy!