Try the Bhutanese Khabsey this Christmas. Pic: Six Senses Bhutan.
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Khabsey, traditional deep-fried cookies in Bhutan, are popular during festive occasions like Losar, the Tibetan New Year.
In Bhutan, khabsey (also spelled khapzey or khabzay) refers to deep-fried, traditional cookies or biscuits that are typically prepared during festive occasions, such as tshechu and especially the Bhutanese New Year festival, Losar.
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Losar is the Tibetan New Year, celebrated across Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India. Observed between February and March, it marks renewal and new beginnings. Families clean homes, offer prayers, share festive meals, and celebrate with music, dances, and rituals for prosperity.
Khabzey are made from flour, butter, and sugar. They come in various shapes and sizes, often intricately designed. Common shapes include twisted styles and "donkey's ears". They are a popular sweet snack enjoyed with tea or coffee during gatherings and celebrations and are commonly placed as part of the elaborate offerings on altars in Buddhist temples.
Check out this recipe by Choda Jamtsho, Executive Sous Chef at Six Senses Bhutan.
Ingredients:
All Purpose Flour
Unsalted Butter
Crystal Sugar
Water
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1000gm
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1000gm
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200gm
350gm
300ml
Method
First boil water, butter and sugar until sugar dissolves.
Mix with the flour and knead until smooth and soft. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
Use a roller pin to flatten the dough (4inches high), cut the dough and make different designs and shapes. After that fry until it becomes golden brown and crispy.
Soumya Srivastava is the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Hindustan Times, bringing over a decade of experience covering movies, celebrities, pop culture, and everything that feels current and compelling. With a sharp editorial lens and an instinct for what resonates, she writes stories that balance insight with accessibility — whether she’s reporting from a red carpet, reviewing a buzzy new release, or unpacking the craft behind cinema. An unabashed Swiftie and a devoted admirer of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking, Soumya blends heart and analysis in equal measure. She holds a degree in English Literature from Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University, and is an alumna of IIMC Dhenkanal (2013). As a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, her reviews reflect credibility, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of storytelling across genres and formats. She has interviewed celebrities like Celine Song, Zoya Akhtar, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Tripathi and more. She has also reviwes hundreds of movies and written thousands of stories, made videos, special columns and more. While films remain her first love, Soumya’s interests extend deeply into lifestyle and design. She is particularly drawn to décor, thoughtfully designed spaces, and the subtle ways aesthetics influence everyday living. From celebrity homes and interior trends to broader lifestyle movements, she enjoys exploring how personal taste intersects with identity and modern culture. Her voice is informed yet relatable, analytical yet warm — making her work engaging for a wide and diverse readership. Through her writing, Soumya continues to shape conversations around entertainment, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.
