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Home » Desserts

Published: Oct 12, 2020 · Modified: Oct 12, 2020 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Basundi Recipe | Basundhi Milk Sweet

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Basundi or Basundhi is a famous Milk sweet loved by everyone. This is one of the favorite dessert that I make during the festival season or for special occasions.

Basundi dessert in 2 cups with a spoon

When festival season is upon us, I always lean towards the traditional Indian sweets that I grew up eating. Hailing from an agricultural family, I grew up with cows at home. Hence we always had fresh milk in hand.

My grandmother would always Therattipaal or Paal Kova. On the other hand my Manni (aunt) makes outstanding Basundi, which is a slightly modified Palkova and is a little less time consuming.

Thirattipal is a regular in our house for Diwali. My mom would always feed some Lehiyam followed by a big mouthful of palkova.

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Milk dessert Basundhi  in 2 steel bowls

Basundi is a popular Indian desert prepared by reducing/condensing the milk. Making basundhi is a little time consuming process. But it does not require too much of hands on work.

I make it for Navaratri and definitely for the Gokulashtami / Krishna Janmashtami festival.

Make it alongside, when you are cooking and by the time you are done with cooking, you will be done with this too. Making this requires very few ingredients and it is sure to please all the kids and adults the same.

Ingredients to make Basundi

Ingredients labeled for making Basundi

Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipe.

  • Milk - I have made Basundi with full fat milk and 2 % fat milk and also a combination of both. Of course, full fat works the best, but the others work as well.
  • Sugar - I use white sugar for this.
  • Cardamom powder - Freshly ground cardamom seeds makes the Basundi very flavorful.
  • Saffron threads - Gives a beautiful color to the Basundhi.
  • Nuts - I used coarsely chopped Pistachios and almond, but can also use cashews along with it as well.

Step by step process

Process shot to make Basundi dessert
  • In a heavy bottom pan, boil the milk. Once it comes to a boil, add the chopped nuts.
  • When simmering, you will notice the layers of cream forming on the top. Keep removing it and add it back to the boiling milk. Keep doing it the whole time.
  • Add the saffron strands and let the milk continue to cook and reduce.
  • When the milk is reduced to half the quantity you will notice that it starts having a mud like consistency. At this stage add the sugar and mix well. As soon as you add the sugar, the mixture will liquefy a bit. Keep cooking it down until the mixture thickens slightly.
  • Now add the cardamom powder and take it off the heat.
  • Serve it warm or chilled.
close up shot basundhi with nuts and saffron

Expert Tips and FAQ's

  • Full fat milk works the best but reduced fat milk can also be used. I would not recommend using skimmed milk though.
  • Adjust the sugar based on your taste. If you like less sweet Basundi, then use just about ½ cup.
  • Take the basundhi off the flame when it still is little runny. It will solidify a little when cooled.
  • If in case you cooked it too much and the mixture is too thick, add a little milk and bring it to a boil. Then cool it down and serve.
Basundi dessert

Other Milk Sweet Recipes

Therattipal / Palkova - Therattipal is a traditional Indian dessert made with just 2 main ingredients, Milk and Sugar. This traditional dessert is very close to my heart and I share many memories of it growing up.

Paal Poli - Paal poli is a traditional South Indian dessert made during festivals. It is a deep fried semolina poori soaked in sweet saffron milk.

Paal Payasam -  Quick and easy pudding made with milk and rice is my to go dessert for any festival or special occasion.

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Basundhi dessert in bowls

Basundi | Basundhi Recipe

Basundi or Basundhi is a famous Milk sweet loved by everyone. This is one of the favorite dessert that I make during the festival season or for special occasions.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 247kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • 8 cups Milk Full fat milk
  • ¾ cup Sugar
  • 2 tablespoon Pistachios coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoon Almonds coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Saffron

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottom pan, boil the milk. Once it comes to a boil, add the chopped nuts.
  • When simmering, you will notice the layers of cream forming on the top. Keep removing it and add it back to the boiling milk. Keep doing it the whole time.
  • Add the saffron strands and let the milk continue to cook and reduce.
  • When the milk is reduced to half the quantity you will notice that it starts having a mud like consistency. At this stage add the sugar and mix well. As soon as you add the sugar, the mixture will liquefy a bit. Keep cooking it down until the mixture thickens slightly.
  • Now add the cardamom powder and take it off the heat.
  • Serve it warm or chilled.

Notes

Expert Tips and FAQ's
  • Full fat milk works the best but reduced fat milk can also be used. I would not recommend using skimmed milk though.
  • Adjust the sugar based on your taste. If you like less sweet Basundi, then use just about ½ cup
  • Take the basundhi off the flame when it still is little runny. It will solidify a little when cooled.
  • If in case you cooked it too much and the mixture is too thick, add a little milk and bring it to a boil. Then cool it down and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 403IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 284mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
« Herb and Cheese Pull Apart Bread
Navaratri Festival Recipes | South Indian Navratri Recipes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sapana says

    April 08, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    5 stars
    Basundi is one of my favorite sweet dishes to make with milk. I love it when served chilled. Thanks for all the tips and tricks to make a delicious dessert from Southern Indian cuisine.

    Reply
  2. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says

    February 06, 2021 at 3:05 am

    Being a Gujarati myself, Basundi is one of my favourite dessert which I love to devour with hot and fluffy poori. Creamy and rich basundi is just so irresistible.

    Reply
  3. Poonam bachhav says

    January 21, 2021 at 11:30 pm

    5 stars
    Basundi is a loved dessert at our place. We love to enjoy it with puffed puris. Your basundi looks very creamy and delectable !

    Reply
  4. Shama Nagarajan says

    January 28, 2013 at 8:32 am

    Delicious dear...thank you for linking in.

    Reply
  5. gayathri says

    November 16, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Looks delicious...love this recipe....

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 19, 2012 at 5:05 am

      Thanks Gayathri !

      Reply
  6. Priya R says

    November 08, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Love the creamy texture to this dessert 🙂 yum and thanks a ton for linking this to the Christmas event

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 19, 2012 at 5:04 am

      Thanks priya !

      Sandhya

      Reply
  7. Nivedhanams Sowmya says

    November 05, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    Oh that looks so tempting!! Such a mouthwatering recipe!!.. I love Basundi!!!
    Sowmya

    Ongoing Event - CWF - Whole Wheat Flour

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 05, 2012 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks Sowmya and just got your email. Double thanks to you 🙂

      Sandhya

      Reply
  8. Divya Pramil says

    November 05, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    My all time favorite 🙂 Well made and delectably presented!!
    SNC - 1 Results

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 05, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      Hi Divya,

      Thanks for your lovely words 🙂

      Sandhya

      Reply
  9. Asiya Omar says

    November 05, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Wow! yummy..

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 05, 2012 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks Asiya 🙂

      Sandhya

      Reply
    • Seema Sriram says

      January 24, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      When my friends say Indian desserts are complicated, I simply give them the recipe for basundhi with a small pack of the original spices. It quickly gets caught on and loved. I am so glad to see this recipe on your blog.

      Reply
  10. Meena B says

    November 05, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    u know this basundi is a part of prasad in temples. it tastes great
    another thing is if its left over u can add some more condensed milk and make icecream
    it wud still be yummy

    adirasam-- a sweet

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 05, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      Hi Meena, Thanks for the input and ideas 🙂

      Sandhya

      Reply
  11. preeti garg says

    November 05, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    Awesome recipe tthanks for linking this my event
    please mention your GFC name and FB name for giveaway eligibility in comment box

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 05, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks preeti ! Glad to be a part of your event. Added my FB and GFC to your link and glad to be following you 🙂

      Reply
  12. Aruna Manikandan says

    November 05, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    basundhi looks very tempting and delicious 🙂

    glad to follow u .

    Reply
    • My Cooking Journey says

      November 05, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks Aruna ! Just visited your blog, Awesome clicks ! Good to know you :

      Sandhya

      Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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