Indian · serves 2

Kulfi

No churning, no ice cream machine. Freeze it overnight and forget about it.

30 min Easy Vegetarian No oven needed

Ingredients

  • 1 litre milk, boiled and cooled
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • 2 tbsp custard powder
  • A pinch of saffron
  • 1/4 cup milk powder
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • A few drops rose essence
  • Pistachios to finish

Method

  1. Boil the milk and condensed milk together on low, stirring constantly so nothing catches.
  2. Off the heat, whisk in the custard powder, milk powder, saffron and cardamom. Off the heat, or it lumps.
  3. Back on and cook until thick enough to coat a spoon.
  4. Cool, pour into moulds or small steel glasses, freeze overnight.
  5. Dip the mould in warm water for a second to turn it out.

Questions people ask about Kulfi

How long does Kulfi take?

About 30 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What can I use instead of condensed in Kulfi?

Use 120ml evaporated milk simmered with 100g sugar until thick.

Can I make Kulfi ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Kulfi vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Can I make Kulfi without an oven?

That is exactly what this recipe is for. It uses a pressure cooker, a pan or the fridge instead of an oven, and the method here is written for that, not adapted from a baked version.

What do you serve with Kulfi?

Roti or plain rice, with something sharp on the side: curd, pickle or sliced onion. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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