Shrikhand| Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand

March 31, 2022Niketa
Shrikhand

Prep time: 10 minutes

Shrikhand a easy delicious no cook dessert recipe made with hung yogurt and sugar. It’s perfect for enjoying with hot pooris or just as is. It’s creamy, dense and rich in texture.

Shrikhand, a popular Maharashtrian no cook dessert recipe. Made of hung curd, which is strained yogurt with the whey removed. The hung yogurt is flavored with cardamom powder, nutmeg powder & saffron strands. Chilled and garnished with nuts. This kesar elaichi shrikhand is my go to dessert for on festive occasions as it can be made ahead of time and is super easy.

Ingredients to make Shrikhand:

This traditional shrikhand recipe uses only basic ingredients and is packed with flavors

  • Greek Yogurt: I use full fat hung Greek Yogurt as its thick. I prefer straining it overnight to make it even more luscious and creamy. I have tried using Fage Total 2% and it works great for this recipe too.
  • Sugar: I use powdered sugar as its very fine in texture, dissolves easily and yields a smooth consistency with no hint of graininess. Powdered sugar, confectioners sugar, icing sugar are all the same. So feel free to use what you have,
  • Saffron: Addition of saffron gives a beautiful color and flavor to the shrikhand.
  • Cardamom Nutmeg Powder: Addition of cardamom and nutmeg powder gives a lovely fruity, aromatic flavor to the shrikhand.
  • Nuts: I add charoli ( Calumpang nuts) to this traditional shrikand recipe. Alternatively you can add slivered pistachios or almonds.

How to make Hung Greek Yogurt:

  • I use Fage Total Plain Greek Yogurt in this recipe as it makes the shrikhand creamy and dense. Make the hung yogurt ahead of time.
  • You will need deep bowl, colander, muslin cloth or clean cotton cloth, 1 heavy pan or bowl.
  • Firstly, line the strainer on a bowl. Then line the muslin cloth on the strainer or colander.
  • Pour the Greek Yogurt. Bring the four edges of the cloth together and tie a knot to seal the yogurt.
  • Gently squeeze out the whey. Place a heavy bowl or iron pan on the tied muslin cloth.
  • Make sure the strainer doesn’t touch the whey collected in a deep bowl.
  • Refrigerate the whole thing for minimum of 5 hours. I leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Drain the whey and store the hung yogurt in the refrigerator.

Serving:

  • Pair Shrikhand with poori or roti. You can also serve on its own as a dessert, or a sweet treat for any occasion.
  • You can also layer the shrikhand in a jar with gulab jamun, topped with some whipped cream and nuts.

Variations:

  • You can add canned mango puree to make Amrakhnada.
  • Use rose syrup or strawberry puree to make rose strawberry shrikhand.
  • You can also add pineapple chunks and essence to make pineapple shrikhand.

Here are some recipes that pair well with Shrikhand:

Masale Bhat

Tomato Saar

Katachi Amti

Print Recipe

Shrikhand

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Total time: 10 minutes

    Shrikhand, an easy no cook dessert. Creamy, smooth hung yogurt mixed with sugar infused with saffron, cardamom and nutmeg powder.

    Ingredients

    • 1 Kg Hung Yogurt
    • 2 tsp Cardamom Powder
    • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg Powder
    • 3 tbsp Warm Milk
    • 1 tsp Saffron Threads
    • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
    • 2 tbsp Charoli

    Directions

    • 1)

      Start by making hung yogurt. Line a large colander with muslin or cheese cloth. Place the yogurt in a colander and let whey drain in refrigerator overnight. The hung yogurt should be dense, creamy and rich in texture.

    • 2)

      Crush 1/2 tsp saffron threads into a powder using motor and pestle. In a bowl warm 3tbsp milk, add the crushed saffron in the milk. Steep them in warm milk for 3-4 minutes. The longer you steep the crushed saffron threads, the stronger the flavor and color.

    • 3)

      In a large mixing bowl add the hung yogurt aka chakka.

    • 4)

      Add powdered sugar, milk infused with saffron, nutmeg & cardamom powder.

    • 5)

      Use a whisk to combine the ingredients well.

    • 6)

      Mix well until its creamy, smooth and dense in texture. Garnish with nuts and saffron strands.

    • 7)

      Chill for an hour before serving.

    Notes

    • While straining the yogurt make sure you keep it in the refrigerator, so it doesn’t turn sour.
    • Straining the Greek yogurt is optional, I prefer straining it overnight to make it even more luscious and creamy. You can simply use whole milk Greek Yogurt to make instant Shrikhand. You can also use traditional yogurt to make shrikhand but its thinner in texture and naturally sour in flavor compared to greek yogurt.
    • Make sure you refrigerate the shrikhand before serving for the best result and taste. Good shrikhand is creamy and thick.

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