Kalakand

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Kalakand is a traditional dessert that's also popular in Pakistan and Bangladesh. In its basic version, this rich cake is made with a reduced combination of sweetened condensed milk and fresh curd cheese such as paneer or chhena. The combination is stirred and cooked until thick and moist, and it's then often mixed with cardamom powder, saffron, rose water, sugar, and dried fruit, or topped with nuts such as cashews, almonds, or pistachios. Kalakand is left to set in the fridge and it's then cut into slices before serving. This dessert is especially popular during festivals such as Diwali, Navaratri, or Holi.