Kalakhand - A Milk & Paneer Fudge : The Easy Version
Kalakhand is soft and fudge-like in texture and made with full fat milk, paneer (Indian fresh milk cheese) and sugar which is cooked until it thickens. Traditionally, it means cooking down and reducing sweetened milk over low heat and this involves a lot of stirring and takes quite a while. My easy/ cheat’s version does away with all the stirring and reducing the milk by using sweetened condensed milk, milk powder, store bought paneer and takes very little time to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups paneer finely grated (approx. 400gm)
- 4 tbsps cream milk full powder
- 1 can condensed milk sweetened (400gm)
- 4 to 5 pods cardamom , powdered
- 1 tsp rose water
- 1 1/2 tbsps almonds pistachios slivered and (approx.)
Instructions
- Crumble the paneer as fine as possible, leaving still granular and not mashing it completely. Add the milk powder to the crumbled paneer and mix well.
- Put this and the condensed milk in a heavy walled/ bottomed or non-stick pan. Cook it over low heat, stirring frequently, until it becomes thick and starts leaving the sides of the pan. The Kalakhand mixture will burn easily if not attended to constantly.
- The mixture will start drying out and coming together in the middle of the pan as it is stirred. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes. When it reaches the finished consistency (it should be dry, not liquid anymore, but moist), add the powdered cardamom and rose water and mix well.
- Take the Kalakhand mixture off the heat and transfer it to a greased 8u201d by 6u201d tray/ tin or round thali (plate).
- Sprinkle the chopped almonds and pistachios evenly on top and lightly press them in. Once the Kalakhand has cooled and set (about 4 to 5 hours; overnight is better) cut it into squares (about 12 large squares or smaller squares if you prefer).
- Refrigerate in an airtight container if not serving the same day. This recipe makes about 12 to 16 Kalakhand bars.
Notes
May the beauty
Of this festive season
Fill your home with joy,
And may the coming year
Bring you all things
That bring you joy!
Wishing you all a
Happy & Prosperous Diwali!