Kesar Peda (Saffron Infused Milk Sweet with Xylitol)

Peda is an Milk based Indian sweet done by simmering milk and adding saffron, cardamom and sweetner. This peda recipe is from Manjula's Kitchen and much simpler, easier and comes out perfect. I pretty much followed the original recipe except for substituting the Sugar with Xylitol. If you search for Xylitol recipes and information, you will find information stating that it can be substitute 1:1 for sugar. But it has a chilling feeling on the tongue which becomes more pronouced when added in equal amounts. So I have added only half the quantity, of the sugar mentioned in the recipe.

Now getting on to the recipe

Ingredients

Paneer - 3/4 Cup ( I used 4 Cups of Milk



Milk powder - 1/3 Cup



Milk - 1/3 Cup



Xylitol (Sweetener) - 1/4 Cup (if using sugar instead of xylitol go for 1/2 cup)



Unsalted butter - 2 Tablespoon



Cardamom powder - 1/4 Tsp



Saffron strands - pinch



For Garnish:



18 shelled pistachio seeds

Method:



1) Warm the milk and add the saffron strands so that it gets soaked for 10-15 minutes and the you get a nice orange color.



2) Heat a thick bottomed pan and add butter.



3) Once the butter melts add milk, milk powder, and paneer. Mix it well.



4).Cook mixture on medium heat stirring continuously until mixture starts leaving the sides of the frying pan and becomes like dough. This should take about 12 - 15 minutes. Now this is known as khoya.



5) Transfer the khoya into a bowl and let it cool off until khoya becomes just lukewarm and easy to handle with hand.



6) Mix the Xylitol and cardamom powder into the khoya and knead it for about a minute until every thing blends together and becomes a soft dough.

7) Divide the mix into about 18 equal parts and roll them into round balls. Lightly press it down with a pistachio on every peda, similar to a thumb print cookie.

8) Stays good for 3-4 days at room temperature and few weeks in the refrigerator and buy that mine was all done.

Posted in: dessert, gluten free desserts, xylitol