Kalakand Recipe (With Ricotta Cheese)

4.75 from 8 votes

This simplified and easy Kalakand recipe with ricotta cheese and condensed milk creates a soft and creamy Indian milk fudge in just 25 minutes.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Chill4

Total Time4 25

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: pieces

Calories: 161kcal

15 oz ricotta cheese whole-milk or part-skimmed
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon sugar
⅓ cup milk powder
1 teaspoon ghee plus more for greasing
½ teaspoon cardamom powder 4-5 green pods
3 tablespoons chopped pistachios and almonds for garnish (see notes to customize)

In a large nonstick skillet, combine ricotta cheese, condensed milk, sugar and milk powder. Mix well. Turn on the heat to medium.
Simmer the mix while stirring every minute. Continue to simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the ricotta mix reduces down to half.
When the mix reduces down to a fudge-like consistency, stir in ghee and cardamom powder. Continue to stir and simmer for 2 minutes.
Kalakand is ready when it stops sticking to the pan. Turn off the heat and place the pan on a cool surface.

Grease an 8 by 8 inch pan with ghee. For ease of removing, line the pan with parchment paper.
Pour the kalakand mix in the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.
Top it with finely chopped nuts. Using a spatula, gently press the nuts so they stick to the kalakand. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours, or until it sets properly.
Using a clean sharp knife, cut in squares. Continue cutting into squares, cleaning the knife between each cut.

Skip the sugar if you prefer a mild sweetness level.
Use fresh cardamom pods if possible. Simply de-seed 4-5 green pods and pound them in a mortar pestle or a mini spice grinder.
Kalakand is ready when it stops sticking to the pan. Remove from the heat and place it on a trivet to cool slightly.
Top it with pistachios and/or almonds, if desired. Gently press the nuts into the milk fudge so they stick. Alternatively, omit the nuts for a nut-free recipe.
Clean the knife after each cut. This makes for easy cutting and a cleaner presentation.

Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates. If you follow any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.