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What is Kulfi?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Kulfi is an Indian and West Asian ice cream dessert. It comes in many flavors and is often molded into conical shapes. It is relatively easy to make and deliciously cooling on hot days.

Unlike Western-style ice creams, kulfi does not need to be churned in an ice-cream maker. Instead, the liquid components are often boiled like a custard before freezing or simply frozen solid. As such, it is much more dense than regular ice-cream, as churning adds air into milk mixtures. It is normally classified as a frozen custard instead of an ice cream.

New flavors of kulfi include avocado.
New flavors of kulfi include avocado.

Traditionally, the custard is flavored with saffron, giving it a subtle flavor and golden-orange color. Other typical flavors are pistachio, mango, rose, and cardamom. As the dessert grows in popularity, the flavor list expands. New flavors are fairly adventurous and include peanut, apple and avocado.

To make a basic recipe, combine sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and evaporated milk. Some recipes recommend boiling and reducing the mixture, but many variations simply add flavoring agents and pour the mixture into popsicle or kulfi molds. Freezing time should generally be at least eight hours, many recipes recommend making the batter in the evening and freezing overnight. Kulfi is often garnished with edible gold or silver leaf, almonds or pistachios.

Kulfi is often made with mango.
Kulfi is often made with mango.

For an interesting culture-combined dessert, try filling cannoli shells with homemade kulfi, sprinkling with pistachios or almonds and drizzling with chocolate. An ice cream sandwich served on cookies is a delicious treat, but be sure to let the frozen custard soften in the refrigerator before attempting to spread it. Kulfi milkshakes are incredibly thick and delicious, and a small serving can be enough to satisfy an ice cream craving.

In Indian cuisine, rice noodles may be sweetened and served with kulfi.
In Indian cuisine, rice noodles may be sweetened and served with kulfi.

In India, kulfi is a street-vendor food. Sellers keep the frozen treat cold in a special ice and salt filled pot called a matka. Although the usual way to serve it is with a simple garnish of nuts, some vendors also serve sweetened vermicelli rice noodles with the ice cream.

Because of the high content of cream, the regular versions of this dessert are not for the dieter. Some recipes contain as many as 1400 calories per serving. Low-fat versions of the dish are available and generally substitute non-fat condensed milk and regular milk instead of cream. Vegetarians should also be careful, as some recipes call for gelatin, which many vegetarians find objectionable.

Kulfi is made using heavy cream.
Kulfi is made using heavy cream.

If you do not have an ice cream maker or do not wish to use one, kulfi makes a fantastic homemade frozen custard. Most recipes are easily mixed in ten minutes or less, and can easily be taught to children learning how to cook. The basic flavor choices allow lots of room for experimenting with your own favorite flavors or additions. You may never go back to regular ice cream again!

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

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    • New flavors of kulfi include avocado.
      By: Richard Villalon
      New flavors of kulfi include avocado.
    • Kulfi is often made with mango.
      By: volff
      Kulfi is often made with mango.
    • In Indian cuisine, rice noodles may be sweetened and served with kulfi.
      By: Red Rice Media
      In Indian cuisine, rice noodles may be sweetened and served with kulfi.
    • Kulfi is made using heavy cream.
      By: Viorel Sima
      Kulfi is made using heavy cream.