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    You are here: Home » Desserts

    Published: Oct 26, 2021 · Modified: Jun 11, 2022 by Saima · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases · This blog generates income via ads.

    Coconut Barfi Recipe With Condensed Milk

    165 shares
    • 10
    Jump to Recipe

    Here's a delightful coconut barfi recipe made with desiccated coconut, fresh milk, condensed milk, and ghee. This easy coconut sweet that resembles fudge is always a hit during the festive season, but who's to say you can't have it otherwise? Made with just four ingredients, it's an Indian mithai you can't do without!

    Both stovetop and instant pot versions are included.

    Coconut Barfi in a plate.

    Indian festivals like Diwali and Holi are unimaginable without sweets or mithai, and coconut barfi or nariyal ki barfi is at the top of the list right along with gulab jamun and laddoo.

    In this post, I have used the same recipe to make two kinds of coconut mithai: barfi and laddoo! Have this mithai freshly made and warm, or cold out of the refrigerator, it tastes equally nice both ways.

    I have also included an instant pot version for all the instant pot lovers out there who want to save some of the time and effort that goes into stirring the mixture for the mithai. The end result is a little different from the stovetop version (it gets browned more thanks to the pressure cooking), but it is equally if not more delicious!

    Another really easy barfi recipe is this almond barfi made with milk powder, ground almonds, and cardamom. Do check it out!

    Why this recipe works

    Coconut burfi is a pleasingly sweet Indian mithai that is also very simple to make at home. It doesn't involve lots of labour or a long list of difficult to get ingredients. Just four easy ingredients and a straightforward method of cooking, and you're done.

    If you have a sweet tooth and crave a little something sweet after dinner, this barfi is ideal, precisely because it is so easy to make. Go ahead and indulge! And do try it if you are celebrating Diwali and want to impress your guests with an elegant platter of homemade mithai:)

    Ingredients

    Note: exact amounts are mentioned in the recipe card further down.

    • Desiccated coconut - You want dry, shredded and unsweetened coconut that comes in a packet in most supermarkets. Of course, if you can get your hands on freshly grated coconut, it works very well. If you are making coconut barfi with fresh coconut, you don't need the fresh milk mentioned below.
    • Whole fresh milk - This is used to soak the desiccated coconut so that it plumps up and becomes soft.
    • Ghee - Essential for making Indian sweets. Don't substitute with vegetable shortening or oils. These will take away the taste and nutrition both.
    • Condensed milk - Works very well in place of plain sugar and gives the mithai a rich taste and a lovely sunshine yellow color.
    • Silver leaf or chandi ka varq (optional) - This comes in the form of extremely thin and delicate silver sheets (edible, of course) used for decorating traditional Indian sweets. It adds a festive touch to the mithai, but it is completely optional. It is available in Indian or Pakistani groceries in your area, but don't stress if you can't find it. Top with some slivered nuts (almonds and cashews) instead for a nice crunch instead.

    Stovetop Instructions

    Step1: Soak the desiccated coconut in warm milk

    • Take the coconut in a bowl and add slightly warm milk. Stir to make sure all the coconut gets soaked in the milk.
    • Keep it aside for one hour. You will notice that the dry coconut will absorb most of the milk and turn soft.
    desiccated coconut soaked in milk in a bowl.

    Step 2: Cook the coconut in ghee

    • Add the ghee in a heavy karahi (wok) and heat it gently. (Reserve 1 tablespoon ghee for later).
    • Then add the milk-soaked coconut and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring all the time.
    Coconut barfi mixture cooking in karahi (wok).

    Step 3: Add the condensed milk

    • Add the condensed milk, mix well and cook on low-medium heat for 20 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the karahi. You will see that the mixture will become quite thick and sticky. It will also acquire a deeper golden color.
    • Add the remaining one tablespoon ghee that you had reserved earlier and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring all the time. Now is the time to take it off the heat.
    coconut mixture in karahi

    Step 4: Spread the cooked mixture on a platter

    • Grease a platter or tray and spread the mixture on it. Smooth the top and sides.
    • Allow it to cool down completely, then cut into squares or any shape that you want.
    • Decorate with silver leaves if using.
    • If you are making laddoos, shape the mixture into small balls and roll them in some dry coconut.
    coconut barfi mixture spread on a plate.
    Coconut Barfi in a plate with coconut laddoo in a plate on the left and a milk jug at the bottom.

    Instant pot instructions

    1. Whisk the condensed milk and fresh milk in a bowl and keep aside. There is no need to soak the coconut in the milk if making the barfi in an instant pot.
    2. Add two tablespoons ghee to the steel insert of your instant pot, (reserve one tablespoon for later) and melt it on sauté mode (a few seconds only). Cancel sauté.
    3. Add the condensed milk and fresh milk mixture (from step 1) and the desiccated coconut. Stir all the ingredients with a spoon and secure the lid. Make sure the steam release vent is sealed and press the porridge mode. It automatically sets itself to 30 minutes. Walk away. After the pot beeps, wait for a natural release of pressure (around 10-12 minutes).
    4. Open the pot and switch to sauté mode. You will see that the mixture has thickened considerably and turned brown. Add the remaining one tablespoon ghee and with a big spoon, stir the mixture until it thickens even further and becomes shiny (7-8 minutes). Cancel sauté.
    5. Take the mixture out onto a greased platter and spread it evenly and thickly. Allow it to cool down a bit more, then cut into squares with a knife. Decorate with silver leaves if using, otherwise top with slivered nuts.
    Coconut barfi made in the instant pot

    Top tips

    • Use pure ghee only for making the barfi. Anything else will not give the same taste or color.
    • Keep stirring the mixture continuously if making the barfi in a karahi to prevent it from sticking to the bottom and burning.
    • Top the barfi with slivered almonds and cashews if you like the crunch of nuts.
    • Optional: Add a few drops of rose water to the mixture just before taking it out onto a platter for a pleasing aroma.
    • Keep the extra barfi in the refrigerator. It tastes really nice chilled too, but you can microwave it for a few seconds if you want to have it warm. However, don't microwave it if you have decorated it with the silver leaves. Instead keep it out at room temperature for some time.

    More Indian sweets and desserts

    • Panjeeri - A desi granola-like snack made with roasted whole wheat, nuts, and seeds.
    • Rasgolla - Soft, spongy, light-as-air balls dipped in a sweet sugar syrup. Made with chena, a special milk cheese.
    • Moong dal halwa - An easy version of a rich and delicious Indian dessert made with cooked and mashed moong lentils.  
    • Kheer - A rich and creamy pudding made with rice, milk, sugar and nuts.
    • Rasmalai cake - A soft and spongy cake drizzled all over with rabri, a thick and sweet sauce.

    📖 Recipe

    Coconut barfi squares in a plate.

    Coconut Barfi With Condensed Milk

    Saima Zaidi
    Here's a delightful coconut barfi recipe made with desiccated coconut, fresh milk, condensed milk, and ghee. This easy coconut sweet that resembles fudge is always a hit during the festive season, but who's to say you can't have it otherwise? Made with just four ingredients, it's an Indian mithai you can't do without!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Resting time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 25 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 15
    Calories 181 kcal

    Equipment

    • Heavy bottomed karahi or wok OR Instant Pot

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups desiccated coconut unsweetened
    • 1 ½ cups fresh milk
    • 3 tablespoon ghee
    • 1 cup condensed milk
    • 2 silver leaves optional

    Instructions
     

    • Take the coconut in a bowl and add slightly warm milk. Stir to make sure all the coconut gets soaked in the milk. Keep it aside for one hour. You will notice that the dry coconut will absorb most of the milk and turn soft. 
    • Add 2 tablespoon ghee in a heavy karahi (wok) and heat it gently. (Reserve 1 tablespoon ghee for later). Then add the milk-soaked coconut and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring all the time.
    • Add the condensed milk, mix well and cook on low-medium heat for 20-25 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the karahi. After 20 minutes or so, the mixture will become quite thick, sticky and golden. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon ghee and cook for 5 minutes more. Now, take it off the heat.
    • Grease a platter or tray and spread the mixture on it. Smooth the top and sides. Allow it to cool down completely, then cut into squares or any shape that you want. Decorate with silver leaves if using. If you are making laddoos, shape the mixture into small balls and roll them in some dry coconut. 

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • Whisk the condensed milk and fresh milk in a bowl.
    • Add two tablespoons ghee to the steel insert of your instant pot (reserve one tablespoon for later) and melt it on sauté mode (a few seconds only). Cancel sauté.
    • Add the condensed milk and fresh milk mixture (from step 1) and the desiccated coconut. Stir all the ingredients with a spoon and secure the lid. Make sure the steam release vent is sealed and press the porridge mode. It automatically sets itself to 30 minutes. Walk away. After the pot beeps, wait for a natural release of pressure (around 10-12 minutes).
    • Open the pot and switch to sauté mode. You will see that the mixture has thickened considerably and turned brown. Add the remaining one tablespoon ghee and with a big spoon, stir the mixture until it thickens even further and becomes shiny (7-8 minutes). Cancel sauté.
    • Take the mixture out onto a greased platter and spread it evenly and thickly. Allow it to cool down a bit more, then cut into squares with a knife. Decorate with silver leaves if using, otherwise top with slivered nuts.

    Notes

    1. Use pure ghee only for making the barfi. Anything else will not give the same taste or color.
    2. Keep stirring the mixture continuously if making the barfi on the stovetop in a karahi to prevent it from sticking to the bottom and burning.
    3. Top the barfi with slivered almonds and cashews if you want to. 
    4. Keep the extra barfi in the refrigerator. It tastes really nice chilled too, but you can microwave it for a few seconds if you want to have it warm. However, don't microwave it if you have decorated it with the silver leaves. Instead keep it out at room temperature for some time.
    5. Add a few drops of rose water to the barfi in the last steps (before taking it out on the platter) for a nice aroma. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1squareCalories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 41mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 94IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword coconut barfi recipe, coconut sweet, nariyal barfi
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sam says

      October 26, 2022 at 2:36 pm

      HI ,
      is it ok to use frozen shredded coconut for this?

      Reply
      • Saima says

        October 27, 2022 at 5:32 pm

        It should be okay, but frozen coconut might need more cooking time as there is more moisture in the coconut.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Saima! I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband and twin boys. Here, you'll find Indian recipes with fresh, natural ingredients and easy, no-fuss cooking techniques. Welcome to my blog!

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