We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Kulfi?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: Feb 07, 2024
Views: 17,820
Share

Kulfi is an Indian and West Asian ice cream dessert. It comes in many flavors and is often molded into conical shapes. It is relatively easy to make and deliciously cooling on hot days.

Unlike Western-style ice creams, kulfi does not need to be churned in an ice-cream maker. Instead, the liquid components are often boiled like a custard before freezing or simply frozen solid. As such, it is much more dense than regular ice-cream, as churning adds air into milk mixtures. It is normally classified as a frozen custard instead of an ice cream.

Traditionally, the custard is flavored with saffron, giving it a subtle flavor and golden-orange color. Other typical flavors are pistachio, mango, rose, and cardamom. As the dessert grows in popularity, the flavor list expands. New flavors are fairly adventurous and include peanut, apple and avocado.

To make a basic recipe, combine sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and evaporated milk. Some recipes recommend boiling and reducing the mixture, but many variations simply add flavoring agents and pour the mixture into popsicle or kulfi molds. Freezing time should generally be at least eight hours, many recipes recommend making the batter in the evening and freezing overnight. Kulfi is often garnished with edible gold or silver leaf, almonds or pistachios.

For an interesting culture-combined dessert, try filling cannoli shells with homemade kulfi, sprinkling with pistachios or almonds and drizzling with chocolate. An ice cream sandwich served on cookies is a delicious treat, but be sure to let the frozen custard soften in the refrigerator before attempting to spread it. Kulfi milkshakes are incredibly thick and delicious, and a small serving can be enough to satisfy an ice cream craving.

In India, kulfi is a street-vendor food. Sellers keep the frozen treat cold in a special ice and salt filled pot called a matka. Although the usual way to serve it is with a simple garnish of nuts, some vendors also serve sweetened vermicelli rice noodles with the ice cream.

Because of the high content of cream, the regular versions of this dessert are not for the dieter. Some recipes contain as many as 1400 calories per serving. Low-fat versions of the dish are available and generally substitute non-fat condensed milk and regular milk instead of cream. Vegetarians should also be careful, as some recipes call for gelatin, which many vegetarians find objectionable.

If you do not have an ice cream maker or do not wish to use one, kulfi makes a fantastic homemade frozen custard. Most recipes are easily mixed in ten minutes or less, and can easily be taught to children learning how to cook. The basic flavor choices allow lots of room for experimenting with your own favorite flavors or additions. You may never go back to regular ice cream again!

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for WiseGeek. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-kulfi.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.