simple and delicious Milk Cake (Kalakand) recipe🥮

 Here's a simple and delicious Milk Cake (also known as Kalakand) recipe, a traditional Indian sweet made primarily from milk, sugar, and cardamom.

🍰 Milk Cake (Kalakand) Recipe

🕒 Time:

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 45-60 mins

Total Time: ~1 hour

🧈 Ingredients:

2 liters full-fat milk

1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar

1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) for greasing

Optional: Chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds) for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Chhena (Paneer)

1. Boil 1 liter of milk in a heavy-bottomed pan.

2. Once it comes to a boil, add lemon juice or vinegar gradually and stir until the milk curdles completely.

3. Strain the curdled milk using a muslin cloth and wash under cold water to remove the sourness.

4. Squeeze out excess water and let it hang for 15–20 minutes to get chhena.

Step 2: Reduce the Milk

1. In another heavy-bottomed pan, boil the remaining 1 liter of milk.

2. Keep stirring and reducing the milk on low flame until it thickens to about half.

Step 3: Combine and Cook

1. Add the prepared chhena to the reduced milk.

2. Keep stirring and cook on low flame until the mixture becomes thick and starts to leave the sides of the pan.

3. Add sugar and cardamom powder, and stir until the mixture thickens again. It should be semi-solid and grainy in texture.

4. You may cook slightly longer if you want a more caramelized layer at the bottom for an authentic milk cake effect.

Step 4: Set and Garnish

1. Grease a tray or plate with ghee.

2. Pour the mixture and level it using a spatula.

3. Optionally sprinkle chopped pistachios/almonds on top.

4. Let it cool completely for 3–4 hours or refrigerate for faster setting.

5. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

✅ Tips:

Use full-fat milk for best results.

Constant stirring prevents burning and ensures even cooking.

Letting the milk caramelize slightly gives the milk cake a richer flavo

r and traditional brown layers.