Make Soft Rich Malai Peda in 20 Minutes for Janmashtami
Malai Peda is one of the most beloved Indian sweets, embodying the essence of tradition and celebration in every delectable bite. Few other mithai can rival the charm and indulgence that Malai Peda offers.
The peda originated in the Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh, a place deeply connected to Lord Krishna. Malai Peda, also known as doodh peda, is traditionally offered in the prasad thal (religious offering) to Lord Krishna during Janmashtami.
Over time, this sweet spread across the country, with each region adding its unique twist to the recipe. Today, in many households, Malai Peda is still offered as prasad during pujas and many other religious ceremonies, prized for its purity in both taste and preparation, making it ideal for such sacred occasions.
Malai Peda, as the name suggests, is made with fresh malai or clotted cream, which gives it its distinctive richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. However, my version of Malai Peda is without malai, mawa, paneer, or the hassle of chasni (sugar syrup). This recipe is the simplest and quickest way to make pedas at home, perfect for celebrations or special occasions.
What makes Malai Peda stand out from other sweets – is its delicate balance of flavors and textures. The cream imparts a creamy, luxurious feel that’s hard to resist. Each bite offers a subtle sweetness enriched by the rich, milky taste of the malai. The cardamom adds an extra layer of flavor, warmth, and depth to this delightful sweet.
Fresh cream or malai is not always available; this Peda recipe uses just four ingredients, with clarified butter (ghee) as a substitute for cream. Combine milk and sugar in a pan, add ghee, milk powder, and cardamom pods, and mix well. Cook the mixture on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until well combined. After cooling for five minutes, make soft, creamy, and richly flavored peda ready to enjoy at home.
Malai Peda is more than just a dessert. It is a symbol of joy and celebration. It often takes center stage at festive events, with its delicate flavor profile making it a favorite among all age groups. Shared as a gesture of goodwill and happiness, it brings people together.
Give this delicious, soft, and creamy malai peda a try at home and experience the joy it brings. Malai Peda is the most popular Indian sweet that captures the spirit of tradition and celebration in every delicious bite. A few Indian mithai can match the charm and indulgence of malai peda.
For malai peda recipe in Hindi or मलाई दूध पेड़ा then watch the video and follow the step-by-step instructions shared with the photos, and make this delightful Indian mithai at home easily by adding nutritious value to your family meal.
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Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Recipe Card
Make Soft Rich Malai Peda in 20 Minutes for Janmashtami
Ingredients
- ¼ cup or 50 grams Sugar
- ¼ cup Milk
- 1 tbsp Pure Ghee Full spoon and not flat.
- 1 cup or 110 grams Milk Powder
- Few Cardamom Pods
Instructions
- Add ¼ cup of milk and ¼ cup (or 50 grams) of sugar in a pan. Mix well until the sugar dissolves.
- Add one full tbsp of pure ghee (clarified butter) to the pan. Mix ghee and sweet milk together well. Tip* – Ghee is a substitute for cream. Ensure to take a full spoon of unmelted ghee.
- Add one cup of milk powder and a few cardamom pods. Mix all the ingredients.
- A lump-free mixture is ready.
- Cook on a low flame until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
- It should not take more than 3 to 4 minutes.
- Turn the gas flame off once it leaves the sides of the pan; It combines well and is non-sticky. Do not over-cook.
- Transfer the mixture to a plate and let it rest for five minutes.
- After 5 minutes, the mixture is slightly warm. Gently knead it well.
- After kneading, the mixture should be non-sticky.
- Pinch some dough, roll it between your palms, and give it a peda shape. Tip*- The weight of the dough is 20 grams.
- Garnish it with sliced pistachio and saffron.
- Soft malai peda are ready to serve.Tip*- Stays fresh outside for 2 to 3 days. Keep in the fridge for a long shelf life.
How to Make Malai Peda at Home Step-by-Step Photos
- Add ¼ cup of milk and ¼ cup (or 50 grams) of sugar in a pan. Mix well until the sugar dissolves.

- Add one full tbsp of pure ghee (clarified butter) to the pan. Mix ghee and sweet milk together well.Tip* – Ghee is a substitute for cream. Ensure to take a full spoon of unmelted ghee.

- Add one cup of milk powder and a few cardamom pods. Mix all the ingredients well.

- A lump-free mixture is ready.

- Cook on a low flame until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.

- It should not take more than 3 to 4 minutes.

- Turn the gas flame off once it leaves the sides of the pan; It combines well and is non-sticky. Do not over-cook.

- Transfer the mixture to a plate and let it rest for five minutes.

- After 5 minutes, the mixture is slightly warm. Gently knead it well.

- After kneading, the mixture should be non-sticky.

- Pinch some dough, roll it between your palms, and give it a peda shape.Tip*- The weight of the dough is 20 grams.
Gulkand Ice Cream Recipe (Updated) - Garnish it with sliced pistachio and saffron.

- Soft malai peda are ready to serve.Tip*- Stays fresh outside for 2 to 3 days. Keep in the fridge for a long shelf life.

FAQs
What is malai peda recipe?
Malai peda is usually made from cream. Fresh cream or malai is not always available; this Malai Peda recipe uses just four ingredients, with clarified butter (ghee) as a substitute for cream. Combine milk and sugar in a pan, add ghee, milk powder, and cardamom pods, and mix well. Cook the mixture on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until well combined. After cooling for five minutes, make soft, creamy, and richly flavored peda ready to enjoy at home.
What are malai peda ingredients?
Malai Peda is made from milk, malai(cream), sugar, and cardamom.
What is malai peda?
Malai Peda, as the name suggests, is made with fresh malai or clotted cream, which gives it its distinctive richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Why is malai peda more popular than other Indian sweets?
Malai Peda is one of the most beloved Indian sweets, embodying the essence of tradition and celebration in every delectable bite. Few other mithai can rival the charm and indulgence that Malai Peda offers. What makes Malai Peda stand out from other sweets – is its delicate balance of flavors and textures. The cream imparts a creamy, luxurious feel that’s hard to resist. Each bite offers a subtle sweetness enriched by the rich, milky taste of the malai. The cardamom adds an extra layer of flavor, warmth, and depth to this delightful sweet.
Conclusion
In this recipe of Malai Peda, we have shared a delightful dessert that is more than just a sweet treat; it is a part of India’s rich culinary heritage. Its creamy texture, subtle sweetness, and cultural significance make it a beloved dessert that transcends generations. Whether you enjoy it during a festive celebration or savoring it as a special treat, Malai Peda is a dessert that never fails to delight. So, the next time you come across this delicious sweet, take a moment to appreciate the tradition, love, and joy that each bite represents.

