Malai Peda Recipe – A Sweet Delight from Indian Kitchens

Malai Peda Recipe – A Sweet Delight from Indian Kitchens



Introduction

If you have a sweet tooth and love indulging in Indian desserts, then Malai Peda surely holds a special place in your heart. Soft, creamy, and rich with flavors, this traditional mithai is often prepared for festivals, celebrations, and religious occasions. The word peda itself means a small round sweet made of milk solids, sugar, and flavoring agents like saffron and cardamom. Malai peda stands out because of its melt-in-mouth texture and the delightful aroma of fresh cream or malai.

In this blog, we will explore everything about malai peda—its origins, variations, health aspects, calories, step-by-step recipes, and tips to prepare it at home with simple ingredients. Whether you are searching for malai peda recipe, kesar malai peda, malai peda with milk powder, instant malai peda, or even branded options like Amul Malai Peda, you will find everything here.

What is Malai Peda?

Malai peda is a classic North Indian sweet prepared with khoya (mawa) or malai (milk cream). Traditionally, fresh cow milk is boiled until thickened and reduced, then mixed with sugar, cardamom, and saffron to create smooth peda dough. It is shaped into small, round discs, sometimes decorated with nuts like almonds or pistachios.

Malai peda is often distributed during Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, Janmashtami, and weddings. Because of its delicate taste and creamy feel, it is loved across India and even among Indian communities abroad, like in Fiji, the US, and the UK.

Malai Peda Ingredients

The basic malai peda ingredients are simple and readily available in every Indian kitchen:

  • Full cream milk or malai

  • Sugar

  • Cardamom powder

  • Saffron strands (for kesar malai peda)

  • Ghee

  • Nuts (optional for garnish)

For instant recipes, milk powder, condensed milk, ricotta cheese, or evaporated milk can replace khoya.

Variations of Malai Peda

Over time, different versions of malai peda have evolved to suit convenience and taste:

  1. Kesar Malai Peda – Infused with saffron strands for rich color and flavor.

  2. Malai Peda with Milk Powder – A quick alternative to traditional khoya.

  3. Paneer Malai Peda – Prepared with soft crumbled paneer.

  4. Milkmaid Malai Peda – Using condensed milk (Milkmaid) for quick binding.

  5. Ricotta Malai Peda – Popular abroad where ricotta is used instead of khoya.

  6. Microwave Malai Peda – Quick peda prepared within minutes.

  7. Amul Malai Peda – A popular branded version available in 200 gm and 1 kg packs.

How to Make Malai Peda at Home – Step-by-Step Recipe



Traditional Malai Peda Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 liter full cream milk

  • 3 tbsp sugar

  • 2 tbsp ghee

  • ½ tsp cardamom powder

  • Few saffron strands

  • Chopped pistachios for garnish

Method:

  1. Boil milk in a heavy-bottom pan until it reduces to a thick, grainy texture (khoya).

  2. Add sugar and stir continuously on low flame.

  3. Mix in ghee, saffron, and cardamom powder.

  4. Cook until mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.

  5. Let it cool slightly, then shape into small pedas.

  6. Garnish with pistachios and serve.

Instant Malai Peda with Milk Powder

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk powder

  • ½ cup condensed milk

  • 2 tbsp ghee

  • ½ tsp cardamom powder

Method:

  1. Heat ghee in a pan and add condensed milk.

  2. Stir in milk powder and cook until it forms a soft dough.

  3. Add cardamom powder for flavor.

  4. Roll into pedas and garnish.

This recipe is perfect if you are searching for instant malai peda recipe with condensed milk, ricotta, or evaporated milk.

Calories in Malai Peda

Many people wonder, how many calories are in one malai peda? On average:

  • 1 Malai Peda (25g) contains around 120–150 calories.

  • Rich in carbs, sugar, and fats, it should be consumed in moderation.

Health Benefits of Malai



While malai peda is indulgent, the malai (milk cream) used in it has certain benefits when consumed in limited quantities:

  • Rich in calcium and proteins.

  • Provides healthy fats for energy.

  • Improves bone health.

  • Good for skin when consumed in moderation.

However, since peda is high in sugar, overconsumption may lead to weight gain.

Popular Brands – Amul Malai Peda

If you don’t want to prepare malai peda at home, you can buy it from popular sweet brands like Amul Malai Peda (200 gm pack) or from local mithai shops. The price per kg of malai peda varies from ₹600–₹900 depending on quality and brand.

Serving Ideas & Festive Importance

  • Offer malai peda as prasadam in temples.

  • Gift beautifully packed pedas during festivals and weddings.

  • Serve chilled with thandai for a royal treat.

  • Pair with rasmalai for variety in desserts.

Malai Peda vs Rasmalai vs Thandai Peda

  • Malai Peda – Solid sweet made with khoya and malai.

  • Rasmalai – Soft paneer balls soaked in flavored milk.

  • Thandai Peda – Peda infused with thandai masala.

Each has a unique flavor but malai peda remains the king of creamy mithais.

FAQs about Malai Peda

Q1: How to make malai peda at home?
You can prepare malai peda by reducing milk into khoya, adding sugar, ghee, cardamom, and shaping it into pedas. For instant versions, milk powder or condensed milk works perfectly.

Q2: What is the difference between kesar malai peda and plain malai peda?
Kesar malai peda has saffron-infused milk, giving it a rich golden color and aroma.

Q3: How many calories are in 1 malai peda?
One peda contains approximately 120–150 calories.

Q4: Can I make malai peda without milk?
Yes, variations using ricotta or milkmaid allow making pedas without fresh milk.

Q5: Is malai peda healthy?
It is nutritious in small portions due to calcium and protein but should be eaten in moderation because of sugar content.

Conclusion

Malai Peda is more than just a sweet—it is a piece of Indian tradition and celebration. From the classic malai peda recipe to modern twists like instant peda with milk powder or condensed milk, there’s a version for every occasion. Whether you buy Amul malai peda or make it at home, this mithai promises a burst of creamy flavor in every bite.

So, next time you crave something sweet, try making homemade malai peda—it’s simple, delicious, and a perfect way to bring festive joy to your dining table. 

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