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Coconut barfi squares topped with pistachio

Quick Coconut Barfi

Soft coconut fudge squares with cardamom and pistachio, made with desiccated coconut and condensed milk in one pan.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 17 minutes
Servings: 16 pieces
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp ghee plus a little for greasing
  • 2 cups desiccated coconut unsweetened, about 160 g
  • 200 g sweetened condensed milk about two-thirds of a cup
  • 0.25 cup milk
  • 0.5 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tbsp pistachios, slivered for topping
  • saffron strands optional, for topping

Equipment

  • 1 Non-stick pan
  • 1 15 cm (6 inch) square tin

Method
 

  1. Grease a 15 cm (6 inch) square tin or a small tray with ghee.
  2. Heat the ghee in a non-stick pan over low heat. Add the coconut and stir for 2 minutes until it smells toasted but has not browned.
  3. Pour in the condensed milk and milk. Stir continuously over low to medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. The barfi is ready when the mixture stops sticking, pulls away from the sides of the pan and gathers into one soft mass. Stir in the cardamom.
  5. Spread it in the tin about 2 cm thick and smooth the top with the back of a greased spoon. Press the pistachios and saffron lightly on top.
  6. Leave to set at room temperature for about 1 hour, then cut into squares.

Notes

Make ahead: up to 5 days before.
Storage: it contains milk, so keep it in the fridge in an airtight box for up to 7 days. It keeps at room temperature for about 1 day.
Fresh coconut: use 2.5 cups of freshly grated coconut and cook 4 to 5 minutes longer. Fresh-coconut barfi keeps for about 4 days in the fridge.
No condensed milk: use 1 cup milk and 0.5 cup sugar instead, and cook until thick, about 20 minutes.
Short on time: this is already the quickest sweet on the faral plate, about 15 minutes at the stove. For no stove at all, blitz 1 cup pitted soft dates with 1 cup mixed nuts and a pinch of cardamom, then roll into small balls. More shortcuts for busy weeks are in our Diwali faral guide.
Quick swap: no time this week? Make our 15-minute milk powder barfi instead, or see all quick Diwali sweets and snacks.