Cashew Kulfi Recipe
Kulfi is a traditional dessert from the Indian sub-continent that is like ice cream, only denser, icier, and slower to melt. It’s a delicious, refreshing treat for keeping cool on hot summer days.
Traditional kulfi-making methods are time-consuming, requiring the reduction of a milk base for an hour. Making this kulfi is easier and requires no specialist equipment like an ice cream machine.
What you need
- Milk: use full cream milk instead of lite.
- Condensed milk: used as a sweetener and thickener.
- Dry milk powder: adds creaminess to the dessert.
- White sugar: use white caster or granulated sugar.
- Saffron threads: bring an exotic flavour to the kulfi.
- Cashews: pistachios, walnuts, or almonds are also delicious.

Instructions
- Stir the milk, condensed milk, and dry milk powder together in a large saucepan until boiling.
- Add sugar and saffron to the boiling milk, then reduce heat to low.
- Stir milk constantly for 10 minutes as it simmers. Remove from heat and allow to cool, then stir in the cashews.
- Pour the mixture into kulfi molds or popsicle moulds and freeze until hardened.
Did you know? Kulfi is a popular snack in countries like India, where some parts of the country experience sweltering weather.

What is kulfi?
Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream that is creamier and denser than traditional ice cream recipes. It is made by slow-cooking sweetened milk and adding ingredients like cardamom, saffron, or pistachio. The mixture gets poured into moulds and frozen, usually on sticks.
What’s the difference between kulfi and ice cream?
| Kulfi | Ice Cream | |
| Texture | Denser and creamier. | Airy, smooth, and scoopable. |
| Ingredients | Traditionally made by reducing milk. | Uses a mix of cream, milk, sugar, and sometimes eggs |
| Preparation | Poured into molds and frozen. | Churned during the freezing process to incorporate air. |
| Sweetening | May use condensed milk. | Sugar or other sweeteners like honey. |
| Serving | Served on a stick. | Scooped into a bowl or on a cone. |

Cashew Kulfi Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups full cream milk
- ½ cup condensed milk
- ⅓ cup dry milk powder
- 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 1 pinch saffron threads
- ¼ cup chopped cashews
Instructions
- Stir the milk, condensed milk, and dry milk powder together in a large saucepan until boiling.
- Add sugar and saffron to the boiling milk, then reduce heat to low.
- Stir milk constantly for 10 minutes as it simmers. Remove from heat and allow to cool,then stir in the cashews.
- Pour the mixture into kulfi molds or popsicle moulds and freeze until hardened.
Notes
- Keep watching the milk base as it simmers, constantly stirring.
- Other popular ingredients for adding to kulfis are pistachio, mango, cardamon, or rose.
