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Kulfi recipe (instant malai kulfi)

By swasthi , on March 6, 2020, 45 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Kulfi recipe – Learn to make delicious & creamy kesar pista kulfi at home with the help of video & step by step photos. Malai Kulfi is one of the most loved summer dessert from Indian cuisine & is also popular in the neighboring countries. It originated from the Mughals during their reign. Though it is similar to an Ice cream it tastes different and is denser and not light in texture.

kulfi

If you are new to Indian foods, then read on to know more on

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What is kulfi?

Kulfi is a popular Indian ice cream dessert made with milk, sugar, nuts & cardamoms.

It is made by evaporating milk and then sweetened with sugar. Flavoring ingredients like saffron and cardamom powder are added along with ground or chopped nuts.

The mixture is then poured to moulds and frozen until it is set. Various kinds of moulds are available in the market, you can also use small Popsicle moulds or stainless steel cups like I have used in this post. I have used 120 ml stainless glass / cups to pour the mixture.

Traditional way of making kulfi does take lot of time like Rabri since the milk has to simmer for hours to reduce and thicken.

This kulfi recipe does save a lot of time as it uses fresh cream and corn starch to thicken the mixture quickly. It yields delicious and creamy kulfi icecream without the flavor of starch.

You can use corn starch or arrow root powder in this recipe, both work well. Arrowroot powder is cooling to the body and is good during summers, so I have used arrowroot powder this time.

Preparation

1. Bring milk to a boil in a heavy bottom pot.

boiling milk to make kulfi

2. Boil for 10 to 11 min on a medium heat , stirring often.

stirring milk to condense it

3. Add sugar and mix well to dissolve it.

adding sugar to milk for kulfi recipe

4. Keep stirring and boil for another 10 minutes on a medium heat.

5. Meanwhile add corn flour to one cup milk and dissolve it completely. Make sure there are no lumps.

adding corn flour to milk

6. Lower the flame and Pour the corn flour mixture.

adding corn slurry to make kulfi recipe
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7. Begin to stir it immediately and continue to boil. Keep stirring often to prevent milk at the bottom getting scorched.

stirring often to prevent burning

8. Meanwhile add pistas and saffron to a blender jar. Make a coarse powder.

adding pistachios to blender jar

9. Add the kesar pista powder along with cardamom powder.

10. Mix well and make sure there are no lumps.

keep stirring to boil kulfi mixture
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11. Add cream. I used cream just to achieve the thick consistency quickly. You can also skip it and cook for a little longer.

pouring cream to boil kulfi mixture

12. Keep stirring and cook the mixture further.

thick mixture

13. Under 10 to 11 mins it reaches a thick consistency. Switch off and cool completely. The mixture thickens further upon cooling. If you under cook the mixture, ice crystals may form, so it has to be cooked until it is thick and of pouring consistency.

How to make malai kulfi

14. Fill the moulds as desired. I do not prefer plastic moulds so I used steel glasses.

15. Cover the moulds with foil and gently insert icecream sticks. Freeze until kulfi is set. It may take anywhere from 5 to 12 hours depending on your fridge.

pouring kulfi mixture to moulds

16. Rub the glasses in between your palms and demould the kulfi gently.

demoulding kulfi

Sprinkle chopped pistachios and serve kulfi immediately.

kulfi recipe
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For more similar recipes, You can check
Mango kulfi
Falooda
Vanilla icecream
Chocolate icecream
Pista Ice cream
Basundi

Kulfi recipe

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kulfi recipe

Kulfi recipe

Kesar kulfi is a creamy delicious ice cream dessert that is made from thickened milk, sugar and other flavoring ingredients.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time37 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

Ingredients for kulfi

  • 2 cups full fat milk
  • 1 cup milk (mix with corn starch or arrowroot powder)
  • 2 tsps corn flour (or starch or arrowroot powder)
  • ¼ cup organic sugar
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder or elaichi
  • 1 Pinch saffron strands or kesar (optional) (about 10)
  • 10 to 15 pistachios
  • ¼ cup cream fresh or mawa or khoya (optional, tastes rich)
  • 4 pistas for garnish
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Instructions

Preparation kulfi

  • Bring 2 cups milk to a boil in a heavy bottom pot. Allow it to boil further for 10 mins on a medium flame. Keep stirring often to prevent the milk solids getting burnt at the bottom.
  • Meanwhile add pistachios along with saffron to a blender jar and make a slightly coarse powder. Set this aside.
  • After 10 minutes of boiling the milk, add sugar and continue to boil for another 10 to 12 mins. Keep stirring often to prevent the milk getting scorched at the bottom.
  • Add corn flour to 1 cup milk and stir well. Make sure there are no lumps.
  • Lower the flame completely and pour this to the pot. Keep stirring and boil.
  • Add the nuts powder and cardamom powder. Mix well and make sure there are no lumps.
  • Pour cream if using and Cook for 10 minutess more. Keep stirring.
  • Under ten mins it turns thick. It should be of pouring consistency.
  • Switch off the stove & Cool this completely. The mixture thickens further upon cooling.

Freezing kulfi

  • Pour this to kulfi molds, steel cups or Popsicle molds. Cover with a foil and gently insert a ice cream stick.
  • Freeze overnight. Immerse these in a bowl filled with water for 1 min or rub the moulds in between your palms for 30 seconds.
  • Gently hold the stick and demould it. Sprinkle chopped pistas and serve kesar pista kulfi immediately.
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Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

Video

Video of kulfi recipe

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Kulfi recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 315 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 51mg17%
Sodium 112mg5%
Potassium 388mg11%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Sugar 29g32%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 710IU14%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 294mg29%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Recipe Rating




Recipe Rating




45 Comments
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Meena bansal
January 12, 2021 9:04 am

Hi Swasthi
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Just had one query. Can I use milk powder instead of cream in this recipe. If yes then how much. TIA

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Meena bansal
January 12, 2021 9:16 am

Hi Meena
I made this a few days ago without cream. It turns out good even without it. If you want use 3 to 4 tbsps milk powder. You may need to reduce sugar.

Reply
Meena bansal
Reply to  swasthi
January 27, 2021 7:23 am

Thank u very much for the reply Swasthi. I really appreciate it. I am making this today and will let u know how it turns out 🙂

Reply
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Fathima
September 19, 2020 2:17 pm

Hi is it altogether 3 cups of milk we should use?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Fathima
September 19, 2020 2:20 pm

Hi,
Yes 2 cups to boil. 1 cup to mix with corn starch

Reply
Seema
May 30, 2020 9:04 am

5 stars
Hi Swasthi,

I made this recipe couple of times and loved it. Can I add mango puree to this instead of pista etc and make mango kulfi? I saw your mango kulfi but I not getting condensed milk anywhere easily due to the lockdown. So was wondering if I can just add mango to this recipe.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Seema
May 30, 2020 9:13 am

Hi Seema
Thank you! Adding mango puree to fresh milk kulfi mixture sometimes won’t work. There are chances of the milk splitting after adding the mango puree. Condensed milk has some preservatives and stabilizers which prevent the curdling. But you may try with small quantity to check. The other way is to make mango lassi kulfi. This works well. For the quantities you can check this link – mango lassi

Reply
Sirisha
May 19, 2020 4:50 pm

5 stars
I have prepared kesar pista badam kulfi by following the steps meticulously it came out very well. My family and friends loved it. Thanks for the recipe.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Sirisha
May 20, 2020 2:46 pm

Welcome Sirisha!
Glad to know kulfi turned out good. Thank you

Reply
Bhagyashri
May 14, 2020 10:20 am

5 stars
I am addicted to your recipes now ! This one turned out the best …thanks ! Getting the right consistency was the key for which I took a lil longer as I cooked on slightly lower flame after adding cream ! Have added the link to my fb post too

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Bhagyashri
May 16, 2020 2:57 pm

Hello Bhagyashri
You are welcome! So glad your kulfi turned out good.
Thank you so much!
🙂

Reply
Priya
May 9, 2020 9:46 pm

Hi,
I made kulfi today and within 5 hrs it was ready to eat. I just followed all ur steps. It’s better than mango kulfi.
It was super tasty. My husband just loved it.
Thank you so so much

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Priya
May 10, 2020 12:16 pm

Glad to know Priya!
Thank you!

Reply
Priya
May 9, 2020 1:18 am

5 stars
Hello swasthi,

Looks delicious.
I want to try this recipe but I have roasted and salted pistachios.
Is there any way I can make kulfi?
I tried so many recipes from ur recipe blog. In this lockdown time I made vada & prawn pulao and they came out tasty.
Thank you so much.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Priya
May 9, 2020 2:03 am

Hi Priya
Glad to know! Thank you. You can add the salted pistachios to slightly hot water and rinse them a few times. Then soak for a few minutes. They should be okay to use.

Reply
Priya
Reply to  swasthi
May 9, 2020 9:45 pm

Hi,
I made kulfi today and within 5 hrs it was ready to eat. I just followed all ur steps. It’s better than mango kulfi.
It was super tasty. My husband just loved it.
Thank you so so much

Reply
Priya
Reply to  swasthi
May 10, 2020 12:13 pm

Hi,
I made kulfi today and it was super tasty and it was ready within 5 hrs. I just followed your stpryeps.
My husband just loved it.
Thank you so so much.

Reply
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Suhasini
May 5, 2020 4:11 pm

5 stars
Hi Swasthi
I attempted malai kulfi today. In this lockdown haven’t had icecream or kulfi. Thanks to you that we could relish this awesome kulfi. It turned out really well. Your recipes are easy to follow cause they are so meticulously written.
Thankyou

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Suhasini
May 7, 2020 5:00 am

Hi Suhasini
You are welcome! Glad to know it turned out good. Thank you so much!

Reply
Rizwana
April 18, 2020 10:00 am

Hii swasthi
I dnt have any kind of mould.. so what vessel can i use?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Rizwana
April 18, 2020 10:21 am

Hi Rizwana
I have used small steel cups/glasses. Each hold about 160 ml. You can use even disposable cups. If you don’t have any just pour it to steel bowls or cup and cut them while serving.

Reply
Krithika
March 4, 2020 3:52 pm

Reason,for adding cornflour?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Krithika
March 5, 2020 1:31 am

Hi Krithika,
Corn flour is used to thicken the mixture quickly. Otherwise it has to be boiled for longer.You may skip if you don’t prefer. It may take 25 mins more.

Reply
LATA Gandhi
July 28, 2019 7:18 am

Hi I’m LATA Gandhi
I love your way to simply cooking
This time my idli come out very very soft

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  LATA Gandhi
July 28, 2019 8:16 am

Hi Lata,
Glad your idli came out soft. Thanks for the comment.
🙂

Reply
LATA Gandhi
July 28, 2019 7:03 am

Hi I’m LATA Gandhi
I love your way to simply cooking

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  LATA Gandhi
July 28, 2019 8:16 am

Thank you so much Lata

Reply
Sanjeev
June 9, 2019 2:39 am

I tried replacing cream with condensed milk and it turned out even better. I also skipped the corn starch powder. Any thoughts

Reply
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Neha
May 23, 2019 5:30 am

4 stars
What is the size of your cups in all recipes?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Neha
May 23, 2019 7:59 am

Hi Neha,
I use a 240 ml cup. For this recipe you can use half liter milk

Reply
Neha
May 23, 2019 5:29 am

How much is 2 cup milk?
What is the size of your cup?

Reply
Sandhya
April 28, 2019 1:51 pm

5 stars
Hi.. Tried ur recipe.. Tasted super.. Thank u.. But ice cream was in crystallized texture aftr freezing it.. What could be d reason?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Sandhya
April 28, 2019 2:54 pm

Hi Sandhya,
You are welcome. I think the mixture had to boil a bit more. If the mixture is not condensed enough then crystals can form. Hope this helps. Thanks for rating the recipe.

Reply
pinky
April 11, 2018 4:23 pm

5 stars
Superb Swasthi, got it perfect in first attempt. Superb taste

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  pinky
April 12, 2018 3:01 am

Thanks Pinky

Reply
Dipica
Reply to  pinky
May 7, 2020 10:51 am

Hii swathi. I jus found I put 2tbsp of corn flour instead tsp. Have kept it in freezer.. How will it turn out? It was thick texture when I poured in mould

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Dipica
May 7, 2020 11:33 am

Hi Dipica,
It will taste starchy. If it doesn’t turn out good, then keep the kulfis at room temperature until they melt. Boil 3 cups fresh milk until slightly thick and then mix both. Freeze it

Reply
Swapna settibathini
March 23, 2018 9:38 am

5 stars
Tq for tasty and yummy recipes

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Swapna settibathini
March 24, 2018 3:05 am

Welcome Swapna

Reply
Sandra
May 27, 2017 2:05 pm

5 stars
Tried this kulfi wonderful
But it did not become solid

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Sandra
May 28, 2017 11:39 am

Hi Sandra
Thanks for trying
If we put water in the freezer even that becomes solid depending on the climate or the fridge condition or the load. I guess you should have left it longer .

Reply
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Reshma
April 21, 2017 5:12 pm

5 stars
Dear Mam,
I have tried your kulfi recipie and it turned out so delicious. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. And the bestest part is my family appreciated me for making this in such a hot weather.. Thanks a lot for sharing this kind of recipies in the easiest way.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Reshma
April 22, 2017 1:36 am

Hi Reshma
You are welcome.
Very happy to know it turned out delicious. Thanks a lot for writing.
🙂

Reply
Anne Jenkins
Reply to  swasthi
May 27, 2018 12:26 pm

5 stars
Looks really good! I feel like making something cold today as it is hot May! The kulfi looks really good. I honestly cannot wait to make it,

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Anne Jenkins
May 27, 2018 1:13 pm

Thank you. Yes do try it

Reply

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