Department
Nan khatai, rusk and biscuits for chai
Our nan khatai in Lahore is the crumbly, cardamom-scented biscuit made for evening chai, baked in 500 g packs at the Central Bakehouse. Alongside it you will find twice-baked cake rusk, almond biscotti and chocolate chip cookies. All of them keep for one to three weeks in an airtight tin, which makes them the easiest bakery gift.
Products
Nan khatai, rusk and the biscuit tin
Every Lahori home has a biscuit tin by the stove for evening chai and unexpected guests. Ours are baked at the Central Bakehouse to fill it — and because they keep for weeks, they are also the easiest bakery gift.
Nan khatai is the star: a short, crumbly biscuit made with flour, ghee and butter, besan and semolina, scented with cardamom and topped with almond. It melts on the tongue and is made for chai. Our recipe contains no egg. Read more about its story in the nan khatai journal post.
Cake rusk is sponge cake sliced and baked a second time until crisp — sweeter and lighter than plain rusk and firm enough to dunk without falling apart. Almond biscotti are Italian-style twice-baked biscuits packed with whole almonds and made without butter; they suit cappuccino and latte. Chocolate chip cookies are the sweet option for children and anyone who prefers coffee to chai.
How long do they keep? In an airtight tin away from steam and humidity, nan khatai keeps about two weeks, cookies about ten days, cake rusk three to four weeks and biscotti around three weeks. In the monsoon, close the lid straight away; a few minutes in a low oven re-crisps rusk that has softened.
For Eid, weddings or staff gifts, mix two or three types into gift boxes — see the Eid collection, or send the bulk order form for larger quantities. Nan khatai and biscotti contain almonds, and all biscuits contain wheat; full details are on the allergens page.
Questions
About biscuits
Where can I buy fresh nan khatai in Lahore?
You can order our nan khatai online for pickup at Gulberg, DHA Phase 5 or Johar Town, or for delivery in Lahore. It is sold in 500 g packs, baked at our Central Bakehouse. It is a favourite with evening chai.
What biscuits do you bake?
We bake nan khatai, chocolate chip cookies, almond biscotti and cake rusk. They are packed in airtight bags and boxes for gifting or the tea tin. Each product page lists its weight.
Does your nan khatai contain eggs?
No, our nan khatai recipe is eggless and made with flour, ghee and butter, sugar, besan and semolina with cardamom. It does contain wheat, milk and almonds. It is made in a kitchen that uses eggs.
What is cake rusk?
Cake rusk is sponge cake that is sliced and baked a second time until crisp. It is a Pakistani tea time staple for dunking in chai. Ours is sold in 400 g packs.
How should I store biscuits so they stay crunchy?
Keep them in an airtight tin or jar away from the stove and humid air. In the monsoon, close the lid straight after use. Soft rusk can be crisped again in a low oven for a few minutes.
Do almond biscotti contain butter?
No, our almond biscotti are made without butter, using flour, sugar, eggs and whole almonds. They are very crunchy and keep about three weeks. They contain wheat, egg and almonds.
Are your biscuits good for gifting?
Yes, nan khatai, biscotti and rusk keep for weeks, which makes them ideal for gift boxes. Pair two or three types for a tea gift. Bulk gift orders go through the Central Bakehouse.
Which biscuit is best with coffee?
Almond biscotti suit cappuccino and latte because they are firm enough to dip. Chocolate chip cookies are a sweeter choice. Nan khatai is made for chai.