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Kalakand Recipe – Traditional Grainy Indian Milk Cake

Kalakand

A traditional Indian milk cake made with reduced milk, grated paneer, sugar, and cardamom.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Setting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 pieces
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 cups whole milk Full-fat milk
  • 2 cups paneer Grated fresh paneer
  • 1/2 cup sugar Granulated white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ghee For greasing and richness
  • 1/2 teaspoon green cardamom powder Freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon pistachios Blanched and slivered, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-bottomed pan Essential for preventing scorching during milk reduction.
  • 1 Spatula A flat wooden or silicone spatula for scraping the pan.

Method
 

  1. Pour the whole milk into a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the milk reduces to about half its volume.
  2. Add the grated paneer to the reduced milk. Stir well and cook over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens further.
  3. Stir in the sugar and ghee. Continue to cook and stir as the sugar melts and the mixture thickens into a soft, semi-solid mass that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
  4. Turn off the heat and stir in the green cardamom powder.
  5. Transfer the mixture to a greased shallow tray, press it down evenly to about 1-inch thickness, and scatter the slivered pistachios on top. Allow it to set at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cut into square pieces.

Notes

Stir continuously during the reduction stage to prevent the milk solids from burning at the bottom of the pan.