Indian cuisine is renowned for its rich and diverse desserts, many of which feature dairy ingredients. Among these, cheese sweets hold a special place, offering a delicious taste and textures that are hard to resist. Easy to incorporate in the recipe, cheesy mithais are a popular choice for all kinds of festivals. Two of the most beloved cheese desserts in India are rasmalai and sandesh. Both are easy to make at home and promise a delightful treat for your taste buds.
Rasmalai-Serves 4
Prep time: 15 min, Cooking time: 30 min
This dessert is made from soft and spongy paneer balls that are soaked in a rich, saffron-infused milk syrup.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| As needed | Readymade rasgullas |
| 1 L | Milk |
| 1/2 cup | Condensed milk |
| 4-5 strands | Saffron |
| As needed | Slivered almonds and pistachios for garnish |
| 1/4 tsp | Cardamom powder |
Method
- Drain the syrup from the rasgullas and rinse them lightly with cold water.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the milk until it reduces by half.
- Add condensed milk, saffron strands, and cardamom powder to the reduced milk. Stir well until combined.
- Gently add the rasgullas to the creamy milk mixture.
Sandesh-Serves 4
Prep time: 15 min, Cooking time: 5 min
Sandesh is a beloved cheese-based dessert from the state of West Bengal, known for its subtle sweetness and delicate flavour.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredients |
| 250 g | Paneer |
| 1/2 cup | Powdered sugar |
| 1/4 tsp | Cardamom powder |
| A few drops | Rose water |
Method
- Crumble the paneer into a bowl. Knead it well with your hands until it becomes smooth and pliable.
- Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the paneer. Knead until the mixture is well combined and the sugar dissolves completely. You can add a few drops of rose water for extra flavour.
- Take a small portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Flatten it slightly to form a disc.