They’re perfect for special occasions and gifting. Rakshabandhan is but a few days away from now and Kesar Penda are Brother Feasts’s favourite Indian mithai. These dainty little buttons of milk dough and saffron are full of beautiful flavours and colours.
What are Penda (Peda)?
While the name can vary depending on region and local dialect, Penda (also known as Doodh Peda, Pedha and Pera) are essentially a sweet made with milk (milk solids to be more specific) and sugar. From the milk and sugar base, the flavour of the Penda is open to wherever your imagination takes you.
What are the different flavours of Penda?
Traditional Penda you will find in Indian sweetmarts come in three varieties. Let’s explore them.
White Penda
They may be simple, but the flavours of plain milk Penda are by no means basic! Plain milk Penda are a classic take on the Indian sweet and a mithai-box staple when gifting Indian sweets. They sometimes have a cardamom flavour. Nuts are optional.
Kesar Penda
Today, we will explore yellow-coloured saffron milk penda, also known as Kesar Penda or Kesar Peda. These daffodil-coloured milk buttons are smooth, rich and arguably the most luxurious of all Penda. With the price of saffron exceeding that of gold (per gram), Kesar Penda are quite literally the gold standard of Indian sweets.
Mawa Penda
Mawa Penda are typically brown in colour. Make them with caramelised milk solids, also known as mawa, khoya or khoa. This is not to say Penda are limited to the flavours listed above. Feel free to tweak the recipe below to make Penda of any flavour that takes your fancy! You could try anything from Almond Penda, to Mango Penda or even Cookies & Cream Penda. Be bold and go wherever your taste buds take you!
Other styles of Penda
Penda with condensed milk, microwave penda, paneer penda, ricotta penda, penda with cream, instant penda and milk powder penda. Which would you like me to make next?
Are Penda and Burfi the same?
While Penda and Burfi share similar ingredients, they have their own unique methods of preparation, textures and shapes.
Penda (Doodh Peda, Pedha and Pera)
Penda originated in the city of Mathura in present-day Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. Today, there are dozens of varieties from across India. These styles of Penda range from Rajkot na Penda (Gujarat), to Karnataka’s famous Dharwad Peda. Indeed, the popularity of Penda extends far beyond the borders of India, as the Indian diaspora continue to celebrate their love of Indian heritage sweets in their home countries. Fijian Pera and Guyanese Peera are also famed within communities around the world. While recipes may differ depending on the cook, the concept of Penda is that it’s a milk-based sweet with a doughy texture, shaped into a ball and gently flattened into a thick button shape. This is done either by hand or with a machine. Nuts are an optional decoration. Like Laddoo, Penda are typically made as temple offerings (prashad).
Burfi (Barfi)
Burfi or Barfi are another milk-based Indian sweet. My recipe for Perfect Plain White Burfi calls for milk powder. In many cases, people use mawa (milk solids) which you can make by reducing full-fat milk. When making Burfi, the mixture is set in a tray and cut into squares. Silver or gold leaf is a popular decoration, since they are usually temple offerings or gifts. Burfi can come in dozens of varieties, flavours and colours. Some of my favourite Burfi flavours include: Pistachio Burfi, Cookie Dough Burfi (microwave recipe), Birthday Cake Burfi, Easter Chocolate Burfi and Besan Burfi.
What do Penda taste like?
This depends on the flavour! Like most Indian sweets, Penda are indeed very milky and sweet with underlying hints of cardamom and saffron. The texture of Penda is rich and creamy. Apart from a very subtle graininess, the mouthfeel of Penda is smooth. They will undoubtedly melt in your mouth. Mawa penda have a delicious caramel flavour from the caramelised milk solids.
Kesar Penda (Kesar Peda): Step by Step with Photos
How to make Penda dough
Step 1: Prepare the paneer for Kesar Penda, cook and add spices
Crumble and knead the paneer. Use either well-pressed homemade paneer (recipe for Homemade Paneer here) or use shop-bought paneer Cook the paneer with ghee until very soft. Stir all the time and then add milk powder Add saffron milk, cardamom, nutmeg and salt Remove from the heat
Step 2: Cool the Kesar Penda mixture, add food colour and sugar
Cool the Penda mixture, uncovered at room temperature Add icing sugar Wrap the Penda mixture in cling film and refrigerate for 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight
Step 3: Knead and shape the Kesar Penda mixture
Break the cooled Kesar penda mixture into small pieces Knead the mixture once more – it should feel pliable, relatively smooth and not too sticky Portion the Penda mixture into approximately 20g balls (you will have around 28-30 Penda in total) Top with slivered pistachios and a single saffron strand. Press the Penda gently with a Penda press, stamp or between your palms
Step 4: Allow the Kesar Penda to air dry
Arrange the formed Kesar Penda on a tray and leave in a cool, dry place (uncovered) for 6-8 hours, or until they’re dry to the tough. This final air drying will help the Penda form a dry crust on the outside.
How to shape Kesar Penda
Mould the Penda mixture by hand or use a penda maker. If you don’t have a penda maker, a mooncake or maamoul shaper will also work well.
Equipment for making Penda
Troubleshooting Kesar Penda (Kesar Peda)
Why are my Penda chewy?
Chewy Penda are a result of overcooking. The dough may seem slack when you take it off the heat but remember it must still cool and rest overnight. The ingredients will continue to develop in this time. Do not cook the mixture for too long simply based on how it looks when it’s in the pan.
Why is my Penda mixture sticky?
Sticky Penda can be down to three separate issues:
Why are my Penda not smooth?
Bumpy or overly grainy Penda may be down to dough that requires further kneading. It’s important to treat the Penda mixture like a bread dough. It requires kneading so a smooth and cohesive mass forms. This repetitive action will smooth the mixture out.
My Penda have lots of cracks. What’s the problem?
Small cracks in Penda are normal. If they are splitting a lot, this could be down to a combination of factors. Did you overcook the mixture or not knead it enough? Does the dough require further resting?
How long do Penda keep for?
Keep Penda refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Can I freeze Penda?
Penda freeze pretty well. Be sure to pack them into an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature.
Are Penda vegan?
This recipe for Kesar Penda is not vegan. The traditional method for making Penda is a dairy-heavy process. A vegan version of the dish would require a completely different set of ingredients.
Are Penda gluten free?
Yes, this recipe for Penda is free from gluten. Be sure to check the labels of all ingredients to determine suitability.
Is this Penda recipe nut free?
No, I use nuts in my recipe for Penda. You can omit the nuts from the recipe and still make very delicious Penda.
What does it mean when someone calls you a Pendu?
Definition: A silly person or an individual who acts goofy. Similar to calling someone a banana or a jackass.
Kesar Penda (Kesar Peda) recipe | How to make Penda with paneer
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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for White Burfi
Love Sanjana Person 1: Why did you embarrass me in front of my crush? Now she thinks I’m obsessed with duck herding, Quidditch and talking to my plants. You absolute pendu! Person 2: Sorry mate, I don’t know what came over me. Maybe I am a pendu.
Keep Penda refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. For white penda using paneer, simply omit the saffron and yellow food colour from this recipe. Penda freeze pretty well. Be sure to pack them into an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature.
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