Beiju sweetened with honey, garnished with desiccated coconut Beiju sweetened with honey Green tea kefir in glasses decorated with fresh mint leaves Refreshing green tea & mint kefir Walnut Stollen served Walnut Stollen Fig and almond scones served on a plate Fig and almond scones Sourdough focaccia served Artisan sourdough focaccia Frutti di Mare pizza with tuna served Frutti di Mare pizza with tuna Spicy kefir served in a glass, sprinkled with paprika and pepper on top Spicy Mediterranean kefir drink Solero pineapple cake served Solero pineapple cake Banana Split served Banana split Soy sauce rice served Soy sauce fried rice Black Pudding Frittata with sausage, served with toasted sausage and egg Black Pudding and Chorizo Frittata Stromboli with tomato sauce served, rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella on top, crispy outside and soft inside. Tomato and Pepperoni Stromboli Ginger Japchae served with sweet potato noodles and vegetables Ginger japchae Rustic crackling scones served Rustic mixed-in crackling scones Cinnamon and Oat Bundt cake sliced Cinnamon and Oat Bundt Cake Boiled sweet potato with garlic served with fresh parsley Garlic Infused Sweet Potatoes Nutella mascarpone cake decorated with whipped cream and chocolate shavings Nutella & mascarpone layer cake Fresh, homemade cinnamon sugar pretzels, crunchy and golden brown Cinnamon sugar pretzels Rum and raisin cannoli served on a plate Rum & raisin cannoli Oreo macaron Oreo Macarons Beiju sweetened with honey, garnished with desiccated coconut Beiju sweetened with honey Green tea kefir in glasses decorated with fresh mint leaves Refreshing green tea & mint kefir Walnut Stollen served Walnut Stollen Fig and almond scones served on a plate Fig and almond scones Sourdough focaccia served Artisan sourdough focaccia Frutti di Mare pizza with tuna served Frutti di Mare pizza with tuna Spicy kefir served in a glass, sprinkled with paprika and pepper on top Spicy Mediterranean kefir drink Solero pineapple cake served Solero pineapple cake Banana Split served Banana split Soy sauce rice served Soy sauce fried rice Black Pudding Frittata with sausage, served with toasted sausage and egg Black Pudding and Chorizo Frittata Stromboli with tomato sauce served, rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella on top, crispy outside and soft inside. Tomato and Pepperoni Stromboli Ginger Japchae served with sweet potato noodles and vegetables Ginger japchae Rustic crackling scones served Rustic mixed-in crackling scones Cinnamon and Oat Bundt cake sliced Cinnamon and Oat Bundt Cake Boiled sweet potato with garlic served with fresh parsley Garlic Infused Sweet Potatoes Nutella mascarpone cake decorated with whipped cream and chocolate shavings Nutella & mascarpone layer cake Fresh, homemade cinnamon sugar pretzels, crunchy and golden brown Cinnamon sugar pretzels Rum and raisin cannoli served on a plate Rum & raisin cannoli Oreo macaron Oreo Macarons
Classic Malai, creamy Indian dessert with fresh rose water and garnish
Rich Indian milk sweet garnished with pistachios and almonds

Classic Malai

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Cakes and Desserts
Malai literally means 'cream'. This recipe evokes the world of rich, reduced milk preparations (like Basundi or Rabri), where milk is slowly boiled to thicken it, caramelising the milk sugars and concentrating the fat content. The result is a silky, fragrant, liquid dessert that, with spices (cardamom, saffron, rose), evokes the splendour of the Mughal rulers.
🕒 Prep Time 5 mins
🍳 Cook Time 30 mins
⌛ Total Time 35 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 380 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Heavy-bottomed pan (to prevent milk scorching)
  • Wooden spoon
  • Sieve

Allergen Information

⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Nuts (Almonds, Pistachios)

Instructions

1 ✓

Pour the milk and cream into the pan. Add the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and citrus peel.

2 ✓

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to minimum. Let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal is for it to thicken and become creamy.

Tip: During slow boiling, water evaporates, and flavours concentrate (reduction).
3 ✓

Remove from the heat. Fish out the spices and peel (or strain if the skin forms annoy you).

4 ✓

Stir in the vanilla sugar and rose water. Allow to cool to lukewarm, or chill completely in the fridge.

Tip: The scent of rose water is heat-sensitive, so add it only at the end, after boiling has finished.
5 ✓

Serve generously sprinkled with almonds and pistachios.

Tip: The crunchy nuts counterbalance the soft homogeneity of the cream.

Recipe FAQ

Why did the bottom burn?
The sugar in the milk (lactose) caramelises quickly and burns. It must be made over a low heat, stirring frequently.
It remained too runny.
Cook it longer so more water evaporates, or chill it – it will thicken when cold.

Ingredients

  • 250 ml Double cream
  • 500 ml Whole milk
  • 80 g Sugar
  • 1 piece Cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole Cloves
  • 1 strip Orange or lemon peel (coloured part only)
  • 1 sachet Bourbon vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp extract)
  • 1 tsp Rose water
  • 30 g Flaked almonds
  • 30 g Chopped pistachios