Beat the summer heat with this delicious and creamy Indian Kulfi ice cream! This no-cook kulfi ice cream is a breeze to make, simply mix all the ingredients, and refrigerate. The hardest part-waiting for it to set!
What is kulfi ice cream?
Kulfi ice cream is basically a rich and creamy, traditional Indian dessert. It is prepared by evaporating sweetened milk, with continuous stirring until the milk is reduced to almost half its quantity.
During this laborious process, the sugars caramelize which give kulfi its distinct taste. The thickened milk is then poured into kulhars (kulfi molds) and placed in an ice + salt mixture, which facilitate the freezing of kulfi’s.
There are all sorts of kulfi flavours – saffron, pistachios, rose, almond, custard apple, mango etc. Well, I love all of them 🙂 Today, let’s learn how to make no-cook kesar pista kulfi ice cream!
Kulfi is undoubtedly my favorite kind of ice cream! I have fond memories of enjoying this treat during my childhood.
I still remember hearing ‘kulfi walaaaaaa‘ which meant that the local kulfi wala (Kulfi vendor) was nearby. He would carry his matka (earthern pot) covered with a red cloth containing kulfi ice creams in those metal kulfi molds, enticing us to buy some.
I guess this is synonymous with the jingle of the ice cream truck in the US, that still elicits childhood memories.
Ingredients needed
It’s summer and one doesn’t really feel like spending hours in the kitchen to make this yummy kulfi ice cream. But you can still enjoy it with this quick no-cook method.
This basic no-cook kulfi ice cream recipe uses
- Condensed milk
- Evaporated milk
- Heavy cream
- Some saffron, cardamom, and pistachios to make kesar pista flavored kulfi.
Just blend the ingredients and freeze it. That simple!
Nothing beats the way kulfi is made traditionally, but this is a decent substitute with all the ‘calorie’ rich ingredients used here.
I learned this no-cook kulfi ice cream recipe a couple of years ago from my friend Malathi, who had made this dessert for her housewarming party!
I thought it was really good, so asked her for the recipe, and she was kind enough to share it with me. I thought it was a good time to make it now & enjoy a cool, yummy treat to beat this heat!
I set the kulfi ice cream in earthen pots. You can set it in the kulfi molds which are traditionally made of aluminum, or regular plastic popsicle molds or cups will work just as well.
On second thoughts, when I was making this I realized the combination of the three milk products used here is nothing but the same thing that’s used for drizzling the tres leches cake base! So that pretty much gives you an idea of how a kulfi ice cream tastes like if you haven’t had one yet!!
The addition of cardamom and saffron add that ‘desi’ touch, along with the nuttiness of the pistachios which add a wonderful texture! And y’all know much I adore these ingredients 🙂
We love this quick kulfi recipe for its deliciousness and ease of preparation. It won’t let you down for a party, especially! So I hope you will give it a try this summer 🙂
How to make no-cook kulfi ice cream?
1.In a blender, combine 14 oz condensed milk, 12 oz evaporated milk, saffron infused milk (a fat pinch of saffron mixed with 1 tablespoon of lukewarm milk), 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder. Blend well.
2.Next, add 1/2 pint heavy cream, blend to just mix well (Do not over mix). Taste the mixture for sweetness, this was perfect for us, you can add more cream to reduce the sweetness.
3.Finally, just fold in the sliced pistachios. Transfer to kulfi molds/ popsicle’s or freezer safe container, cover the container with a cling wrap, close it with the lid and freeze it. In case you are using the popsicle mold, then cover with an aluminum foil, pierce the ice cream sticks through the foil. Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight preferably.
4.How to remove kufli from the mould? Run the popsicle mold under warm water for 10-15 seconds, or run a butter knife to unmold the kulfi.
Notes
- Evaporated milk is not easily available in stores, especially in India. You can make it at home using a fuss-free, no-cook method. Follow this wonderful and easy recipe shared by Poonam Mongia, which you can find here.
★ If you try this easy no-cook kulfi recipe, I would love to hear from you! I’d appreciate it if you could rate and leave a review below in the comments. Your reviews help others know the recipe better too. Feel free to share your feedback and suggestions at [email protected]. Thanks so much 🙂
You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

Kulfi Ice Cream | No-Cook Kesar Pista Kulfi Recipe
Ingredients
Measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml, 1tsp = 5 ml
- 1/2 pint 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 14 oz /396 g can condensed milk
- 12 oz /354 ml can of evaporated milk
- 1/4 -1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- A fat pinch of saffron mixed in 1 tablespoon lukewarm milk
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- Few drops of green food color, optional,
Instructions
- In a blender combine condensed milk, evaporated milk, saffron infused milk, cardamom powder. Blend well.
- Next, add heavy cream, blend to just mix well (Do not over mix). Taste the mixture for sweetness, this was perfect for us, you can add more cream to reduce the sweetness. Add a few drops of food color (if using) and mix.
- Finally, just fold in the sliced pistachios. Transfer to kulfi molds/popsicle's or freezer-safe container, cover the container with a cling wrap, close it with the lid and freeze it. In case you are using the popsicle mold, then cover with an aluminum foil, pierce the ice cream sticks through the foil. Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight preferably.
- How to remove kufli from the mould? Run the popsicle mold under warm water for 10-15 seconds, or run a butter knife to unmold the kulfi.
Came across your blog today. I loved the way you present your recipes
Very nice
Thanks so much, Aparna 🙂
Hi Aparna…
I went over your recipe maybe four times…I don’t see the part where you have added bread. I see some reviews here about your recipe with bread in kulfi?? Confused..
Hi Nargis! The original recipe that I got from my friend uses about 2-3 slices of bread. I tried a batch without the addition of bread and thought it was still great. So I’ve omitted it in the recipe. If you’d like some texture in the kulfi, you could include the bread slices in the recipe. Trim the ends of the slices, and grind them coarsely in a blender. After mixing all the ingredients, add the breadcrumbs and mix, set in kulfi moulds.
I’ve had kulfi on my mind the last few days. This looks quick and easy, not to mention delicious. I can’t wait to try it out.
Thanks Trisha! Glad you liked it 🙂
Freda, love your recipes. They are always so simple yet so delish. The pictures make it even more mouthwatering. Loved the kulfi pots. Where did you get these from? They look perfect!
Thanks a lot Princy 🙂 My Mum in law bought them from a local store in Borivli, Mumbai.
They look so perfect Freda!! With summer on our doorstep, these kulfis are a much needed treat 🙂 By the way, love these cute matkas; bread in these Indian favorites is a nice change, must be giving a good texture. Will try soon 🙂
Thanks dear! Yes the bread gives a good texture to the otherwise creamy ingredients 🙂
Hi, recipe looks wonderful. This exact qty of ingrediants is good fr how many ppl?
Thanks Khushboo!! It will serve around 6-8 people depending on the size of your moulds.
Awesome recipe Freda. So well explained. Loved it.
Thanks di 🙂
I so need to taste it. Pictures look super awesome??
Thanks a lot 🙂
I love this! I never tried to make it at home…thanks a lot for the recipe… 🙂
Most welcome Maniparna! Thanks for stopping by!
Totally love this Freda! Btw I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! Do check out the nomination post at http://www.delightmytummy.com/one-lovely-blog-award
Thanks so much Shreya 🙂
This looks very good – yummy! 🙂
Thanks so much 🙂
Reblogged this on lynz real cooking and commented:
So delicious and a big yumm
Thanks for the reblog, dear Lynn 🙂
most welcome!
xx
xo
Amazing as always Freda ??
Thanks a lot dear! I just realized I was not following you! I don’t know why this automatically happens, it’s really strange!
How interesting! It looks amazing Freda!
Thanks very much Antonia 🙂
Kulfi – brought sweet childhood memories. Loved it and looks very delicious.
Thanks so much Gloria 🙂
I’m sure it will taste as good as it looks! Fabulous ?
Thanks sweetie 🙂
Wow! Looks so perfect and yummy! ?
Thanks Vajeea 🙂
Sounds so amazing! I love frozen desserts and this one seems quite special!
Glad you liked it! Thanks Laura 🙂
Kulfi is one my fav too! Your presentation is spot on… It’s like I can almost taste it 🙂 Looks so rich, creamy and full of deliciousness!
Thanks so much Shamira 🙂
This looks awesome 🙂
Thank you dear 🙂
I love kulfi and will be trying this ASAP. Since I am a no-churn ice-cream fan, this is right up my alley. 🙂
Sounds great , Aruna 🙂 Glad you liked it!
Looks so yum!
Thank you Chris 🙂
These three milks adds magic to any recipe naa. Wonderful. Love those cute cups
Completely agree with you 🙂 Thanks dear!
Love Kulfi! Your kulfi molds are super cute.
Thanks Archana 🙂
Very impressive Freda 🙂
Thank you Nandini 🙂
Ice cream is one of my favorite things on earth! This is such an interesting version. It must be so creamy and wonderful and the spices would give such a unique flavor. I loved reading about the Indian version of the ice cream truck! Very beautiful pictures, too, Freda. Such a great post!
Thanks a lot Shari 🙂
Oh my absolute favorite Indian ice cream. I like your version of it. The different milks must greatly enhance the flavor. I imagine one could add mango to it too. Beautiful!
Thanks Loretta! Yes mango can be used, condensed milk will have to be reduced, half of condensed milk and mango! If I had some mango pulp left, this post would have been about mango kulfi!! 😀 May be next summer 🙂
Wow so lovely!
Thanks Lynn 🙂
That looks ?
Thanks so much 🙂
You are welcome
Love the different milks in here. The addition of bread is fascinating. Looks very tasty! 🙂
Thanks Ronit!!it just adds a little of that grainy texture, that’s typical of a kulfi 🙂
I will give it a try! 🙂
That’s great 🙂
It looks amazingly delicious. I only had it once some years ago at an Indian restaurant and it was heaven. A mouth-watering delish!
Thanks so much Daniela 🙂
This sounds amazing Freda!
Thanks a lot Sadie 🙂