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Coconut Barfi: The Classic Indian Coconut Fudge
This creamy, melt in your mouth coconut barfi recipe is the perfect treat when you’re craving something decadent!
Coconut barfi is a beloved Indian sweet that’s a staple in homes across the world. This creamy coconut fudge is an integral part of Indian cuisine. You’ll often find it during holidays, festivals, family celebrations, and even just as a snack! Made from a few simple ingredients, coconut barfi delivers major flavor and transports you straight to the streets of India in each bite!
BRING INDIAN CULTURE HOME WITH COCONUT BARFI
It’s easy to learn about different cultures on the internet without ever leaving your home. Whether you’ve traveled to India, are an expat living abroad, or just a curious armchair explorer, food is the quickest way to transport you to another world. This coconut barfi recipe offers you a tasty way to experience a beloved part of Indian culture fright at home!
Barfi as a whole holds a special place in Indian culture, but the coconut variety reigns supreme in many regions. It’s distinctive taste and sweet aroma can connect you to fond memories of life in India and create new ones!
Every family has their own preferred version of barfi, and recipes for it will vary depending on the taste and flavors. Coconut barfi’s creamy, fudgy texture melts on the tongue and is hard to resist. You can also toast the coconut in this recipe for an even more intense flavor!
One of the reasons why coconut barfi is a favorite in some regions of India is because of its ability to keep fresh longer than some other flavors. Coconut has a higher saturated fat content that allows it to be stored at room temp without spoiling as quickly. In hot and humid regions of the country, keeping fresh in hotter weather is important.
This particular recipe is a favorite in the Goa region of India. If Goa sounds familiar, it might be because it’s where you’ll find one of the 7 World Wonders—the Taj Mahal! Coconut barfi is one of the many regional sweets commonly found in food markets. If you’ve ever wanted to visit India, making barfi is the perfect way to whet the travel palette while satisfying your sweet tooth at the same time.
WHEN AND HOW COCONUT BARFI IS EATEN
Barfi is closely tied to celebrations and social gatherings in Indian communities. When served during special occasions, it’s often decorated with an edible silver foil called vark. It’s especially eaten during:
- Diwali – Barfi platters are exchanged between friends and family visiting each other’s home. The sharing of sweets is tied to the idea of sharing good wishes.
- Holi – Barfi is often dyed different colors to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors.
- Weddings – Elaborate barfi towers are sometimes found in traditional Indian weddings. Bite-sized pieces are passed around to guests to enjoy as part of the “sweet” celebration.
- Religious Functions – Variations including coconut barfi are a common prasad (offering) made during Hindu pujas and other ceremonies.
- Hospitality – It’s important to be hospitable to your guests in Indian culture. Offering sweets like coconut barfi are a way to show warmth and generosity.
Coconut barfi is cut into bite-sized pieces that makes it an easy dessert to share with others. It’s no wonder why barfi is a staple in Indian culture!
INDIAN BARFI VARIATIONS BY REGION
While the traditional milk and nut-based barfi is loved universally, regions across India have developed their own localized versions. Confectioners put a distinctive spin on barfi based on readily available ingredients and the preferred Indian spices found in their region.
Eastern India
In Bengal, banana barfi is a popular treat made from ripe bananas and cardamom cooked down into a paste. Chhena barfi is another popular treat that originates in the Bhadrak region. Its cottage cheese-like base makes a crumblier and less-sweet version of the traditional barfi.
Southern India
This coconut barfi recipe originated in the coastal region of Goa. Some recipes call for gram flour and jaggery in addition to coconut for a tropical taste. Konkani style coconut barfi is another variation that uses saffron and cashews for a nutty twist.
Western India
In the Gujarat region, almond and dried fruits are the star of barfi. Maharashtrian barfis highlight peanuts, sesame seeds, and sometimes a homemade peanut brittle candy called Chikki.
Northern India
Cashew barfi with cardamom is a popular variation in the Northern Indian regions. Saffron and rose water are other flavors that are commonly found in this region.
It’s important to note that there are many variations of barfi. So if coconut barfi isn’t your preferred flavor, there are many different variations to choose from!
MAKING COCONUT BARFI AT HOME
Buying pre-made barfi from India is a lot easier with the internet than it was a decade ago. But there’s something special about the hands-on approach and making it at home. Taking the time to craft a recipe from another culture gives you a hands-on experience with the people who make up that culture.
It gives you an amazing connection through shared experience that you just don’t get from buying something pre-packaged. And most importantly, learning the recipe gives you the tools to go back to that experience any time you want.
Making coconut barfi at home is super easy and uses only a few ingredients:
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Shredded coconut
- Ghee or butter
- Nuts like pistachios
- Spices like saffron or cardamom
The process of making them is pretty straightforward and perfect for beginners. It’s also a great recipe to make in hot weather because it doesn’t require an oven! The basic process involves:
- Cooking the condensed milk until it thickens
- Folding in shredded coconut and spices
- Spreading it into a lined pan to set
- Cutting into small pieces
- Garnishing with nuts or edible foil
Barfi is so easy to make and tastes so good, you’ll wonder why it’s taken you this long to experience it. Trust me!
STORING AND SERVING COCONUT BARFI
Coconut barfi is one of the variations that keeps longer than traditional milk barfi because of its saturated fat content. Still, it’s important to properly store them to keep them staying fresh.
To store barfi, keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. Environmentally friendly options like glass jars and stainless steel boxes work best.
If making large batches, you can keep them in the fridge for up to a month. Freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow frozen barfi pieces to come to room temperature before opening up the container and serving.
To serve coconut barfi, cut them up in small, bite-sized pieces. Diamonds and squares are the traditional shapes. Serve them with a cup of hot Indian tea!
STORING AND SERVING COCONUT BARFI
Yield: 36 Pieces
Coconut Barfi Recipe
Sweetened condensed milk and shredded coconut come together to create this creamy, melt-in-your-mouth Indian fudge. Each square is spiced with cardamom and topped with crunchy pistachios for an extra decadent bite!
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Ghee (or Butter)
- 1 1/2 Cups of Whole Milk
- 2 Cups of Dried Milk Powder
- 2 Cups of Desiccated Coconut (Can use toasted sweetened coconut)
- 1/2 Cup of Sugar
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons of Cardamom Powder
- 1/4 Cup Toasted Pistachios, Finely Chopped
Instructions
- Line an 8x8" baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with ghee.
- Heat the whole milk and ghee on medium low heat in a heavy bottomed sauce pan. A non-stick pan is best if you have it.
- When the ghee is melted, add in the sugar. Continue cooking the mixture until the sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add in the dried milk powder and mix thoroughly to combine. Cook the mixture on low, stirring constantly to avoid burning. The mixture should start to thicken but not brown. If it starts to brown, turn the heat down even lower.
- When the mixture is done, it should thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. When sliding the spoon through the mixture, it should take a few seconds to come together again.
- Add in the coconut and cardamom to the mixture. Continue cooking until the mixture comes together into a ball.
- Turn the mixture out into your prepared pan. Careful, the mixture will be hot!
- Use the back of the spoon or a spreader to spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Top with crushed pistachios.
- Let set for 4 hours at room temperature or 2 hours in the fridge. When set, cut into small squares/diamonds and serve.
HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE INDIAN CULTURE
At Olivia Goes Global, we believe every day has something wonderful to celebrate! Coconut barfi is the perfect way to experience the sweetness of India in less than an hour. This timeless candy has maintained a special place in Indian culture for centuries. Try this iconic Indian sweet and experience the essence of tradition in one aromatic bite!