Shrikhand Recipe

Shrikhand is an easy, no-cook, creamy Indian dessert made with strained yogurt, powdered sugar, cardamom, and saffron. This cool, refreshing, and delicious sweetened yogurt can be made ahead of time and is the perfect traditional Indian sweet for any occasion. Serve it as a dessert or with Poori.

What is Shrikhand

Shrikhand is a traditional Indian dessert made from strained yogurt, also called hung curd, that's sweetened with sugar and flavored with saffron and cardamom.

The straining process removes excess whey, resulting in a thick, creamy yogurt texture that melts in your mouth.

This cool and refreshing sweet is especially popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where it's often served as part of festive meals and wedding feasts.

Shrikhand is usually enjoyed chilled and pairs beautifully with hot, fluffy puris. The classic Shrikhand Puri combination is a must during celebrations like Gudi Padwa,Ganesh Chaturthi, and Diwali.

What makes Shrikhand unique is that it's a no-cook Indian dessert. It is easy to prepare, can be made ahead of time, and is naturally gluten-free. With just a few ingredients, you can create a dessert that's indulgent, delicious, a crowd-pleaser, and perfect for festivals, family gatherings, or even as a light summer treat.

Today I'm sharing the traditional Shrikhand recipe, which is the most basic version. The other variations include mango shrikhand (amrakhand), Kesar Shrikhand (with saffron), Elaichi Shrikhand (cardamom-flavored), and even nut-studded or fruit versions for a modern twist.

Recipe Ingredients

The main ingredients to make this basic Kesar Pista Shrikhand are

Yogurt - Thickened, strained yogurt (also known as hung curd or chakka) is the main key ingredient in making Shrikhand. Use fresh, homemade, whole milk plain yogurt to make hung curd. If using store-bought, ensure it's not too sour.  Or use Greek yogurt to fasten the process, as you don't have to strain it and can use it directly.

Sweetener - As this is a sweet/dessert recipe, the next key ingredient is sugar. Use powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar to sweeten the Shrikhand, as it blends easily with the yogurt. Sugar granules can take longer to dissolve and can interfere with the smooth texture. Pulse the sugar in a blender to get the powdered form.

Flavor - For this basic Shrikhand recipe, I've used cardamom powder and kesar (saffron) as my flavoring agents.

Nuts - Last but not least, I have crushed pistachios for garnish, which also impart their flavor and texture to this recipe.

How to make Shrikhand 

It's very easy to make this Shrikhand recipe. Essentially, make the hung curd and mix all the ingredients to create this delicious dessert. Please see the step-by-step below. 

To make hung curd or chakka

Start with some fresh (not sour) homemade or store-bought whole milk, plain yogurt.

Add it to the clean cloth or muslin cloth and close it by tying the ends together. Squeeze it to drain off as much of the whey as possible. Then, place a cloth with yogurt in a sieve over a bowl to catch the excess whey.

Place some weight (using my mortar pestle) on top to drain off the excess whey. Let it stay under weight for 4-5 hours or even overnight in the refrigerator.

Open the cloth and the thickened yogurt (hung curd), also known as chakka in Hindi, is ready. 

Use Greek yogurt to expedite the process and skip the straining step.

To make kesar-infused milk

In a bowl, add warm milk and add kesar to it. Mix and allow it to stand for 10 minutes. Soaked kesar (saffron) will give the shrikhand a nice yellow color. If you don't have kesar, feel free to skip this step.

To Make Kesar Pista Shrikhand 

Transfer the hung curd (chakka) to a bowl and whisk until smooth.

Add the cardamom powder, powdered sugar, salt, and saffron milk and mix until well combined.

Transfer to the serving bowl and garnish with pistachios, and sprinkle some more saffron on top (optional). Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve chilled.

Tips for making the Best Shrikhand 

Use fresh yogurt and not the sour kind. Store-bought works too, but use homemade if possible, as store-bought usually tend to be tart.

Greek yogurt can be used to expedite the process, as it allows you to skip the yogurt straining step.

Add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors. Little goes a long way. 

Make the shrikhand a day in advance. Sprinkle some saffron threads on top, cover it airtight, and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. Before serving, mix it to achieve those beautiful orangish streaks and gorgeous color (see the picture below). Top it with pistachios and serve chilled. 

Serving Suggestions

Shrikhand Puri is a popular delicacy where smooth, creamy, sweetened yogurt is paired with hot, puffed-up whole-wheat flatbreads.  It is an ultimate combination and is made on many festive occasions, such as Gudi Padwa and Ganesh Chaturthi.  

Or as part of a mini thali with Poori, Batata Bhaji, Shrikhand, and lemon pickle. 

You can also serve this as a sweet dip with flavored Crispy Chips or place it on a cheese board along with other dips for a fusion flavor. 

More Indian Dessert Recipes

Hope you enjoy this Shrikhand as much as we do!! If you give this recipe a try, we did love to hear from you ❤️ Please let us know your rating ⭐️and feedback in the comments below. Thank you!

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