Basundhi is a popular Indian desert prepared by reducing/condensing the milk. Making basundhi is a time consuming procedure, but it does not involve too much of hassle. 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.
My Manni (aunt) makes outstanding Basundhi. She makes it in a breeze and it is a common desert when we visit her. This one is for you Manni. Hope I have stood up to your standards.
Preparation time – none
Cooking time – About 2 hours
Difficulty level – medium
Ingredients to make Basundhi – Serves 6
- Milk – 2 liters or about 8 cups (I used a combination of 2 % and full fat milk)
- Sugar – ¾ cup (adjust based on your sweetness level)
- Cardamom powder – 1 tsp
- Saffron threads – few
- Nuts – for garnish (optional)
Procedure –
- In a heavy bottom pan, boil the milk. Once it comes to a boil, let it simmer until the milk reduces to half (about an hour).
- 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.
- 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 (about 20 mins).
- Now add the cardamom and saffron. Give it a good mix and take it off the flame.
- Garnish with nuts (I did not use nuts) and serve chilled.
Notes and observations –
- 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.
Aruna Manikandan says
basundhi looks very tempting and delicious 🙂
glad to follow u .
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Aruna ! Just visited your blog, Awesome clicks ! Good to know you :
Sandhya
preeti garg says
Awesome recipe tthanks for linking this my event
please mention your GFC name and FB name for giveaway eligibility in comment box
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks preeti ! Glad to be a part of your event. Added my FB and GFC to your link and glad to be following you 🙂
Meena B says
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
My Cooking Journey says
Hi Meena, Thanks for the input and ideas 🙂
Sandhya
Asiya Omar says
Wow! yummy..
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Asiya 🙂
Sandhya
Divya Pramil says
My all time favorite 🙂 Well made and delectably presented!!
SNC – 1 Results
My Cooking Journey says
Hi Divya,
Thanks for your lovely words 🙂
Sandhya
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
Oh that looks so tempting!! Such a mouthwatering recipe!!.. I love Basundi!!!
Sowmya
Ongoing Event – CWF – Whole Wheat Flour
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Sowmya and just got your email. Double thanks to you 🙂
Sandhya
Priya R says
Love the creamy texture to this dessert 🙂 yum and thanks a ton for linking this to the Christmas event
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks priya !
Sandhya
gayathri says
Looks delicious…love this recipe….
My Cooking Journey says
Thanks Gayathri !
Shama Nagarajan says
Delicious dear…thank you for linking in.