Indian Milk Barfi Dessert (Microwave Made)

Milk Barfi with pistachios and almonds as a garnish

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Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 17 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings

This Indian dessert recipe for barfi is made with only four ingredients: cream, sweetened condensed milk, powdered milk, and pistachios. 

It couldn't be simpler to make as it is mixed in the same microwave-safe pan it is baked in. It is cooked in a microwave and then cut into squares while still warm. The end result is surprisingly delicious for so few ingredients and such little effort.  

Milk-based Indian desserts are popular in the culinary repertoire of India and barfi is just one of them. 

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a rectangular microwave-safe baking pan, whisk together milk powder, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Reserve the pistachios for garnish.

  3. Place the pan in the microwave and set the timer for 6 minutes on the high setting. Start and run the microwave. Watch the dish carefully and if the mixture looks like it might boil over, stop immediately and wait for 8 to 10 seconds. Start again and run until the 6-minute time is up.

  4. Take the pan out of the microwave and stir well to break all lumps (these lumps are the milk solids that are beginning to form due to the cooking).

  5. Put the pan back in the microwave and set again on high for 6 minutes. Watch closely the first minute and then allow to continue cooking.

  6. When the time is up, sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the surface of the barfi while still in the microwave and let sit for 10 minutes.

  7. After 10 minutes, remove barfi from the microwave and cut into 2- to 2 1/2-inch squares. Serve immediately or after cooling to room temperature.

  8. Enjoy.

Tip

  • The cooking time in this recipe is for a 900-watt microwave oven set on high. To have a successful result, adjust the timing and setting to suit the wattage of your microwave.

Recipe Variation

  • There are many variations of barfi, especially the fudge-like coconut version, which most often is made on occasions like Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) and Christmas. Barfi made with pistachios, as is done here, is known as pista barfi.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
316 Calories
17g Fat
31g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 316
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 10g 48%
Cholesterol 50mg 17%
Sodium 161mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 310mg 24%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 474mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)