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    Home » Sweets and Desserts » Malai Sandesh | How to make Malai Sandesh

    Malai Sandesh | How to make Malai Sandesh

    Published: Sep 15, 2017 · Modified: Oct 5, 2020 by Srivalli · 13 Comments

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    Malai Sandesh is my choice for M in the A to Z Bengali Sweets Series. I had a huge list to choose for M, such as Malai Cham Cham, Malai Chop, Malai Toast, Malai Sandwich, Madhuja Sandesh. Mohini Sandesh, Makha Sandesh, Milk Cake Sandesh. Each is different or similar to some of the other Chhana based Bengali Sweets. When I had picked up to make this alphabet to make, it was almost the last week of August, and realized that my B was also not done. So I clubbed both together to make the Bhapa Sandesh first and saved some to make this Malai Sandesh.

    So, in essence, the preparation is the same. You add the steamed Sandesh in a thick sweet creamy milk and serve it chilled with loads of chopped nuts. The steamed Sandesh would have soaked the milk and becomes spongy. I added half of the nuts ahead, for it to get soaked, some just while serving, so you will have both crunchy nuts added to the taste.

    This is a steamed Sandesh version, that I have microwaved. In the Bengali Sweet Lists, there is a section of sweets called the Payesh, which is the same as the Payasam in the south. In this, the main base is a sweetened thick creamy milk. Today's recipe is the first of that series. I tried covering all the different categories that are made with chhana in Bengali Sweets. With this, we have crossed 15 days of Mega BM!

    How to Make Soft Homemade Chhana for Bengali Sweets

    How to Knead Chhana for Soft Bengali Sweets

    In this A to Z Bengali Sweets for Protein Rich dishes:

    A for Aam Sandesh
    B for Bhapa Sandesh
    C for Channar Puli
    D for Danadar
    E for Elixir Sandesh
    F for Fruit Sandesh
    G for Gajarer Sandesh
    H for Hot Chocolate Sandesh Truffle
    I for Ice Cream Sandesh
    J for Jilapi
    K for Khirkadam
    L for Lyangcha

    Jump to:
    • In this A to Z Bengali Sweets for Protein Rich dishes:
    • Pin This for Later!
    • Step By Step Pictures for making soft Chhana for Bengali Sweets
    • Step by Step Pictures for kneading the chhana to a soft texture
    • Step by Step Pictures for steaming/ Microwave the sandesh
    • Step by Step Pictures for Making the Malai
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes
    • Recipe

    Pin This for Later!

    Step By Step Pictures for making soft Chhana for Bengali Sweets

    Step by Step Pictures for kneading the chhana to a soft texture

    Step by Step Pictures for steaming/ Microwave the sandesh

    Step by Step Pictures for Making the Malai

    Ingredients

    For the Sandesh

    • 1 cup Paneer / Chhana / Cottage Cheese
    • 1/2 cup Sugar (increase as per your taste)
    • 2 tbsp Milk
    • A pinch of Cardamom Powder
    • Few strands of Saffron mixed in 2 tbsp Milk

    For the Malai

    • 2 cups Milk
    • 1/2 cup Cream
    • 1/2 cup Sugar

    Other Ingredients

    • Mixed Nuts for garnish

    Instructions

    For the Sandesh

    • First, make the soft Chhana required for making Sandesh.
    • Take one cup of well kneaded Chhana and start adding sugar and mix well.
    • You will end up having a soft and sweetish smelling chhana. Add cardamom and knead again.
    • Soak saffron in 2 tbsp milk.
    • If you are going to steam in a pressure cooker, you can grease with butter, pat this chhana over it and add milk along with saffron.
    • Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
    • Add 1 cup water to the pressure cooker, bring the vessel to a boil.
    • Then place the covered pan inside the pressure cooker and steam for 15 to 20 mins on medium heat.
    • I used the microwave and cooking in the microwave is very quick.
    • Grease a microwave-safe bowl, press down the chhana to 1 inch thick and sprinkle milk with saffron (save a few for later garnish).
    • Microwave for a minute. Wait and again microwave for another minute. The total time is only 2 mins. Steaming is done.
    • Let it sit at room temperature for 5 mins.
    • Cooldown the Sandesh. Take it out on a plate and cut it into small pieces. Keep aside.

    For the Malai

    • In a heavy bottom, pan boil the milk, along with cream and sugar.
    • Cook on medium heat and keep stirring. Add a little cardamom powder. Cook the milk and cream mixture till reduced to 3/4th. Switch off the heat.
    • Add the cooked and cubed Sandesh. Garnish with finely chopped nuts along with some soaked saffron
    • Refrigerate and let it stand for 1-2 hrs.
    • Serve cold.

    Notes

    If you want to save time in making the Malai, you can use Condensed Milk instead too.

    Recipe

    Malai Sandesh
    Print Pin

    Malai Sandesh | How to make Malai Sandesh

    Course Sweets
    Cuisine Bengali
    By Cook Method Microwave, Stovetop
    Occasion Diwali, Festival Meal
    By Diet Protein Rich
    Dish Type Paneer Dishes
    Author Srivalli

    Ingredients

    For the Sandesh

    • 1 cup Paneer / Chhana / Cottage Cheese
    • 1/2 cup Sugar increase as per your taste
    • 2 tbsp Milk
    • A pinch Cardamom Powder
    • Few strands of Saffron mixed in 2 tbsp Milk

    For the Malai

    • 2 cups Milk
    • 1/2 cup Cream
    • 1/2 cup Sugar

    Other Ingredients

    • Mixed Nuts for garnish

    Instructions

    Instructions

      For the Sandesh

      • First, make the soft Chhana required for making Sandesh.
      • Take one cup of well kneaded Chhana and start adding sugar and mix well.
      • You will end up having a soft and sweetish smelling chhana. Add cardamom and knead again.
      • Soak saffron in 2 tbsp milk.
      • If you are going to steam in a pressure cooker, you can grease with butter, pat this chhana over it and add milk along with saffron.
      • Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
      • Add 1 cup water to the pressure cooker, bring the vessel to a boil.
      • Then, place the covered pan inside the pressure cooker and steam for 15 to 20 mins on medium heat.
      • I used the microwave and cooking in the microwave is very quick.
      • Grease a microwave-safe bowl, press down the chhana to 1 inch thick and sprinkle milk with saffron (save a few for later garnish).
      • Microwave for a minute. Wait and again microwave for another minute. The total time is only 2 mins. Steaming is done.
      • Let it sit at room temperature for 5 mins.
      • Cooldown the Sandesh. Take it out on a plate and cut it into small pieces. Keep aside.

      For the Malai

      • In a heavy bottom, pan boil the milk, along with cream and sugar.
      • Cook on medium heat and keep stirring. Add a little cardamom powder. Cook the milk and cream mixture till reduced to 3/4th. Switch off the heat.
      • Add the cooked and cubed Sandesh. Garnish with finely chopped nuts along with some soaked saffron
      • Refrigerate and let it stand for 1-2 hrs.
      • Serve cold.

      Notes

      If you want to save time in making the Malai, you can use Condensed Milk instead too.
      Tried this recipe?Mention @spicingyourlife_ or tag #spicingyourlife_!
      BMLogo

      This is part of the A to Z Protein-Rich dishes, where I decided to showcase A to Z Bengali Sweets with Paneer/Chhana as the main source.

      [inlinkz_linkup id=725581 mode=1]

      « Lyangcha | How to make Langcha
      Nikhuti Payesh | How to make Nikuti Payesh »

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. vaishalisabnani says

        September 15, 2017 at 6:01 am

        Interesting to know the options for the alphabet M , I am going back to Kolkata airport where I feasted on these Sandesh varieties . Your series is like one big Bengali Sweet Shop , with mouth watering varieties . Loved this one too and your smartness to get two posts in one go .????

        Reply
      2. Rajani says

        September 15, 2017 at 7:59 am

        I didn't realize that we are half way through the marathon! Everyday I look forward to the virtual sweets at your space. Choices for M seems to be a lot, you have picked a good one!

        Reply
      3. gayathriraani says

        September 15, 2017 at 10:20 am

        With the types of sandesh you have showcased till now, I have gained just by reading them. Everyday, I sit before my PC and drool over the pictures in your post. This is pure torture Valli!

        Reply
      4. Priya Suresh says

        September 15, 2017 at 2:28 pm

        Omg, how many varieties of Sandesh you have shown to us, now am so tempted to make this malai sandesh very much quickly, am sure this malai sandesh will definitely please my sweet tooth.

        Reply
      5. themadscientistskitchen says

        September 15, 2017 at 2:50 pm

        Valli reading your recipe is a torture for me. Me craving for Bengali sweets n sitting at home cannot get them.
        I love the series Valli

        Reply
      6. Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says

        September 15, 2017 at 3:55 pm

        You just recreated a mini bengali sweet shop in your house.. Wow.. superb effort!!

        Reply
      7. srividhya says

        September 15, 2017 at 9:13 pm

        Lot of options for M huh? This Malai sandesh looks yum and it reminds me of basundi. Love it.

        Reply
      8. Mayuri Patel says

        September 16, 2017 at 1:17 am

        So many options with the letter M! For a moment I thought I was in a sweet shop 🙂 Malai sandesh is quite a different way to serve sandesh.

        Reply
      9. Anlet Prince says

        September 17, 2017 at 6:17 pm

        Valli you are treating me with your feast of these sandeshes

        Reply
      10. Sowmya:) says

        September 17, 2017 at 9:27 pm

        Gosh! This reads like a menu card...wish I could have them all. Malai Sandesh looks fabulous and so very tempting.

        Reply
      11. Sapana says

        September 18, 2017 at 5:08 pm

        As I mentioned before you should write a book on Sandesh. These malai sandesh looks so delicious and I just want to pick them off screen.

        Reply
      12. Kalyani says

        September 19, 2017 at 8:43 pm

        M just stuck at the malai word - everything seems heavenly and lovely in this...

        Reply
      13. ruchi indu says

        September 29, 2017 at 1:49 pm

        Valli; this is the 13th recipe not the 15th :). Delicious looking Sandesh. Loved your idea of making 2 recipes on the same day.

        Reply

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