Summer or any season of the year needs a good homemade frozen dessert to enjoy. This Kesar Pista kulfi is the perfect recipe to make at home. A very simple frozen treat that requires no fancy equipment. This dairy dessert is flavored with saffrons and pistachios.
Kulfi is a very popular dairy desert from India. It is similar to ice cream except it is much denser and creamier than ice cream. This famous Kesar Pista Kulfi dessert is often flavored with cardamom, saffron and pistachios.
I remember my childhood days when we buy this desert from the Kulfi wala (kulfi vendor) who sells it in his tricycle. When I go to my grandparents place for summer vacations, this is often our after dinner dessert. We patiently wait outside for the kulfi wala to make his daily rounds.
What a lovely time it was chatting with cousins and snuggling with grandmother. The kulfi wala keeps the kufi’s frozen inside a huge matka (clay pot) filled with ice and salt. My mom likes the kufi that has the falooda (vermicelli) in it. I prefer the creamy plain kulfis.
I am updating this post with new pictures. This time I have made the kulfis in the mould and I am excited to share the pictures. I have left the old pictures for the step by step as it will be helpful for those who are making it without the mould. I am also excited that my father will be bringing the traditional aluminum kulfi moulds next month when he comes to visit us.
Preparation time – 10 mins plus 6 hrs to overnight for freezing
Cooking time – 30 mins
Difficulty level – easy
Ingredients to make Kesar Pista Kulfi – (makes 10 large kulfis – 6 oz cup size)
- Milk – 5 cups (I used 2 % milk)
- Sweetened condensed milk – 1 – 14 oz can
- Sugar – ½ cup
- Corn flour – 1 ½ tbsp
- Chopped pistachios – ⅓ cup
- Saffron strands – ½ tsp
- Cardamom powder – 1 tsp
- Rose water – ½ tsp (optional)
Procedure to make Kesar Pista Kulfi –
- In about ½ a cup of milk, dissolve the corn flour and keep it aside. Make sure to whisk well to dissolve completely.
- In a heavy bottom sauce pan, combine the remaining milk and the condensed milk. Using a whisk, mix them well. Also add the sugar and then bring it to a gentle boil.
- Simmer it for about 30 mins, stirring frequently. Make sure to mix the cream formed on top into the milk to make it nice and creamy. Simmer until the milk reduces to ¾th of the original quantity.
- Now add the corn flour dissolved in milk and whisk well, so that no lumps form. Stir it well until the mixture thickens.
- Add the cardamom powder, saffron strands and the chopped pistachios.
- Mix it well and leave it aside to cool down. Make sure to cover the sauce pan when cooling, to avoid the cream layer from forming on top. Once cooled down a bit, add the rose water and stir well.
- Pour the mixture to individual plastic or foam cups and cover them tightly with aluminum foil.
- Make a tiny slit on the foil and insert the Popsicle stick through it.
- Freeze for at least 6 hrs or overnight (preferably).
- To serve, carefully remove from the mold or cup and then serve immediately topped with more nuts (optional). To help remove from the mold or cup easily, slightly immerse them in warm water for about 5 – 10 seconds and then slowly ease it out.
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Kesar Pista Kulfi | Frozen dairy dessert with Pistachios and saffron
Ingredients
- 5 cups Milk I used 2 % milk
- 14 oz Sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp Corn starch
- ⅓ cup Chopped pistachios
- ½ tsp Saffron strands
- 1 tsp Cardamom powder
- ½ tsp Rose water optional
Instructions
- In about ½ a cup of milk, dissolve the corn flour and keep it aside. Make sure to whisk well to dissolve completely.
- In a heavy bottom sauce pan, combine the remaining milk and the condensed milk. Using a whisk, mix them well. Also add the sugar and then bring it to a gentle boil.
- Simmer it for about 30 mins, stirring frequently. Make sure to mix the cream formed on top into the milk to make it nice and creamy. Simmer until the milk reduces to ¾th of the original quantity.
- Now add the corn flour dissolved in milk and whisk well, so that no lumps form. Stir it well until the mixture thickens.
- Add the cardamom powder, saffron strands and the chopped pistachios.
- Mix it well and leave it aside to cool down. Make sure to cover the sauce pan when cooling, to avoid the cream layer from forming on top. Once cooled down a bit, add the rose water and stir well.
- Pour the mixture to individual plastic or foam cups and cover them tightly with aluminum foil.
- Make a tiny slit on the foil and insert the Popsicle stick through it.
- Freeze for at least 6 hrs or overnight (preferably).
- To serve, carefully remove from the mold or cup and then serve immediately topped with more nuts (optional). To help remove from the mold or cup easily, slightly immerse them in warm water for about 5 – 10 seconds and then slowly ease it out.
anusha says
Love love love this recipe!! Tried it yesterday and it turned out simply yum!!
preeti garg says
Wow.. love this rich and creamy consistency kulfi.
chef Mireille says
it's definitely the season for kulfi - I have some in the freezer but store bought - I am yet to make kulfi myself - you are inspiring me to give it a whirl
sapana says
Kesar pista is my favorite flavor in kulfi and your kulfi looks just so delicious.
Ritu Tangri says
My family is so fond of these kulfis especially my father in law that my fridge is always stocked with kulfis. I do not add condensed milk to the kulfi. I'm sure with condensed milk taste must be better
Priya Suresh says
Its getting hot today here and am feeling like having some kulfi. Yours tempts me a lot Sandhya, this kesar pista kulfi will definitely please my tastebuds.
Gayathri Kumar says
Beautifully presented Sandhya. I used to enjoy those kulfi wala ones but now I find the home made ones better. Reading your post makes it nostalgic..
Renu says
Delicious kulfi, one of my favourite. Beautiful clicks
harini says
Anything and everything in a popsicle mould will be welcome at my place 🙂 Addition of corn flour is new to me.
Mayuri Patel says
Lovely clicks Sandhya and love the idea of making delicious creamy kulfi in ice cream molds.
Srivalli says
I love Kulfi and the pictures are surely tempting me now...that's a great method to make these without moulds as well...
Varada says
The updated pictures look awesome! I love your enthusiasm, making kulfi in plastic cups. You need one more update with the aluminium mold.
Priya Suresh says
Seriously am craving for some kulfi now, very tempting Sandhya.
linsy patel says
nicely done kulfi.
Preetha Soumyan says
Very perfectly done..i loved it
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Rafeeda AR says
Looks really yum...
sangeetha pn says
They look yumm.. So many!.. wish could have one right away..
Priya Anandakumar says
Kulfi looks awesome and delicious...
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Sona S says
Kulfi looks delicious and yummy.
Veena Theagarajan says
kulfi is my fav.. yet to try at home