Milk Halwa or Doodh no Halwo is an incredible indian milk-based sweet made from only few ingredients such as milk, condensed milk and yogurt. It is also known as Indian Milk Cake. The recipe is similar to Paal Kova or milk kove which is another easy milk based traditional Tamil Nadu recipe. Instant pal kova is also made with condensed milk and yogurt.
Easy Microwave Milk Halwa with Condensed Milk
Milk Halwa/Milk Cake/Doodh no Halwo/Paal Kova is a unique tasting indian sweet. Traditionally, it is made primarily by reducing milk then splitting it with an acidic agent. That is why it is sometimes called fatelo doodh halwa (fatelo means split). The mixture is then sweetened with sugar. The sugar caramelizes and the mixture reduces further. Flavourings are then added alongside ghee. The halwa is served set or loose.
It has a grainy texture but as soon as you chew it, it becomes melt in your mouth. With this recipe, you will achieve similar doodh halwo that can be found in the mithai shops. This recipe however is much quicker and easier than the original and uses the the microwave.
Inspiration
My Mum used to get treated to doodh no halwo from a nearby dairy shop in Ahmedabad when she was little and later when she visited again, she would bring it back for us.
I tried this halwa back in 2012 when I visited India for the first time. It was from the same dairy that was close to my Mum’s house.
Difference between Milk Cake and Kalakand
Originally, indian milk cake or milk halwa is made by reducing whole or full-fat milk. This process usually takes a couple of hours. Our Rajwadi Peda post explains this step.
To speed up this process, we have used condensed milk and the help of a microwave!
To this reduced milk, an acidic agent is added to split the milk. The solids formed are then halwa. The halwa becomes a deep brown colour.
In kalakand , the milk is similarly reduced but paneer is also added. The resulting product is white/cream in colour.
In the past we have experimented and created this Chocolate and Rose Indian Milk Cake , which is a reader favourite.
Why this Milk Halwa recipe works
We have used condensed milk which is basically saving the time of reducing the milk. This is all cooked in 1 bowl in the microwave within minutes. It is a great way to use up an open tin of condensed milk. There is a good chance that you will have these ingredients lying around.
It is easy to make – these recipe is easy for two recipes. One, it is made of only few ingredients – milk, condensed milk, sugar are all easy to find in local shops. Secondly, it is made in the microwave. There is no need for pots and pans and the halwa will come together in no time at all.
Delicious – I probably don’t even need to tell you how delicious this halwa is. The chewy texture with juicy taste is out of this world! You have to try it to really understand what I mean here.
Enjoyed anytime – It is perfect for any celebration and during the festive season. It is also suitable for fasting as it is made with only dairy products.
Ingredients notes for Dudh No Halwo
Milk – use full fat milk or whole milk for this recipe. The higher the fat content in the milk, the larger the grains in the halwa and the greater the texture!
Condensed milk – condensed milk speeds up the process as the milk has already been reduced. Use the full fat rather than “light” version of condensed milk
Yogurt – yogurt is used to split the milk which is what gives the halwa its texture. Some recipes use lemon juice but yogurt works well too. Yogurt should be mild in taste and full fat.
Ghee – we have used homemade desi ghee . The ghee provides flavour and also gives the halwa a silky texture.
Sugar – use white granulated sugar. You will only require a bit as the condensed milk is also sweet.
Flavoring – we have used saffron or kesar – hence kesar doodh no halwa and cardamom powder. The saffron threads are dissolved in milk prior to using for about 10 mins or add straight away.
Nuts – we have used almond and pistachio but you can change this according to which ever you like.
How to make Dudh No Halwo
Microwave Dudh No Halwo
Choose a large microwave safe bowl – a small bowl will make it difficult to mix and you don’t want it to spill and overflow!
Add condensed milk and mix. Add the yogurt and saffron infused milk and mix until smooth.
Set the microwave to 8 minutes (time needed for the amount of mixture we had). Check every 2 minutes and stir.
Add the sugar and cardamom powder and microwave further 5-6 mins. The mixture should start becoming more solid
Add the ghee and microwave 2 mins more. It should become thick but not dry.
Add cardamom powder, mix well.
Set in a greased tray or serve in a bowl.
Stovetop Milk Halwa
Place all the ingredients in a thick based kadai or pan.
Cook on low to medium heat until the mixture starts curdle.
Lower the heat and cook until halwa gets thicker and grainy.
Add cardamom powder and turn off the heat.
Tips for best Milk Halwa
Follow these great tips for best Milk Halwa
Do not over microwave else will the halwa will taste dry when eating – we want to retain some of the moisture.
You can either serve in squares like barfi or serve it loose in the bowl.
Keep stirring to ensure the mixture is not burning.
Use full-fat ingredients for authentic taste and texture.
Once halwa is made and cooled down totally, you can store it in an airtight container. Keep the container in the refrigerator, if you want halwa to stay fresh for longer time or around 1 week. Bring it to room temperature before consuming. It stays fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature, if kept in a cool and dry space. Milk halwa freezes well. Set the halwa in a tray, cut it into small squares and wrap them in the butter paper and place it in the freezer proof container. Thaw and bring it to room temperature before serving.
Milk halwa is a delicious rich and creamy milk based dessert. Generally, this Indian milk sweet is reserved for happy occasions and festivals such as Navratri, Gokul Asthmi or Ganpati. As this recipe made using only dairy products, it can be consumed on a fasting day or season such as Ekadashi or Chaturmas. I would serve after having a spicy Indian meal at parties or any get togethers.
Like I said above in the post we have flavoured milk cake with rose and chocolate. You can leave out saffron and cardamon and instead add vanilla extract.
Other Indian Milk Sweets Recipes
Other Microwave Indian Sweets Recipes
Koprapak in microwave
Microwave Mawa Peda
Churma Ladoo microwave method
Microwave Mawa/Khoya
Microwave Kalakand
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Milk Halwa | Doodh No Halwo
Equipment
- Big bowl
- Microwave
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 200 gram condensed milk
- 200 millilitre whole milk
- 1 tablespoon yogurt make sure it’s not sour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ghee
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 8-10 strands saffron soaked in warm 2-3 tsp milk
- 2 teaspoon nuts almonds, pistachio
Instructions
- Take a microwave-proof bowl ( take big one as milk boils ) and place the condensed milk with the whole milk and mix them.
- Now add yogurt, saffron milk and mix again.
- Place bowl in microwave for 8 minutes, in between check every two minutes and give it a stir.
- Slowly milk will thicken and water will be visible. after 8 minutes add sugar and cardamom powder and cook halwa for another 5-6 minutes.
- Repeat stirring every 2 minutes.
- Now add ghee and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Halwo should thicken by now like semolina halwa. let it cool to room temperature and garnish with nuts.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Milk Halwa | Doodh No Halwo
Equipment
- Big bowl
- Microwave
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 200 gram condensed milk
- 200 millilitre whole milk
- 1 tablespoon yogurt make sure it’s not sour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ghee
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 8-10 strands saffron soaked in warm 2-3 tsp milk
- 2 teaspoon nuts almonds, pistachio
Instructions
- Take a microwave-proof bowl ( take big one as milk boils ) and place the condensed milk with the whole milk and mix them.
- Now add yogurt, saffron milk and mix again.
- Place bowl in microwave for 8 minutes, in between check every two minutes and give it a stir.
- Slowly milk will thicken and water will be visible. after 8 minutes add sugar and cardamom powder and cook halwa for another 5-6 minutes.
- Repeat stirring every 2 minutes.
- Now add ghee and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Halwo should thicken by now like semolina halwa. let it cool to room temperature and garnish with nuts.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
You will need :-
- 2 cup Coconut Milk
- 2 cup Single or double cream
- 1 cup Poha ( Rice flakes)
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1cup Mango pulp ( I used tin pulp ) you can use fresh too
Method :-
Wash the Poha and leave it a side. Boil milk and cream on a slow heat with sugar. after 5-6 minutes add Poha and let it cook for 4-5 minutes. Stir constantly and let poha soaked milk and cream..mixture will start to thicken..Switch of the heat and keep stirring. Let it cool to room temperature. and after chill in the fridge in serving bowls. after 1-2 hours add 2-3 tbsp mango pulp in each bowl and have it…Enjoy as much as my family did…You can make this dessert even for parties too……….
Tip:- Please do not add mango pulp while mixture is warm..let it cool completely otherwise results milk will curdle.
