Bhapa Doi | Easy Bhapa Doi Recipe - Palate's Desire (2024)

Bhapa doi is a tasty Bengali dessert made with just 3 main ingredients yogurt, sweetner and cardamom to flavor. This reicpe is a healthy and simple to make steamed dessert that gets ready under 20 minutes .

If you are just like me , who loves Bengali desserts then do check on how to make Rasgulla and Rasmalai in a most simple and easy way.

About this recipe

Bhapa doi is a popular Bengali sweet dish traditionally made with mith Yogurt, milk , sugar and flavoured with cardamom powder.

In Bangla language Bhapa means steamed and Doi means curds (Yogurt ). So the direct translation of Bhapa Doi means steamed yogurt . It's a satiating and delectable dessert .

Texture and taste of this dessert is similar to that of Kharwas ( desert made with colostrum milk) .

It has a texture of properly set pudding , you can cut into slices just like any cheese cake.

You must try this recipe because it is

• simple and easy to make
• minimal ingredients
• satiating Dessert
• healthy with no transfats
• easily scalable

If you are dessert lover then here are few healthy , tasty and easy to make recipes which I think , you need to check :

Ragi Coconut Milk Pudding , Makhana ( fox nuts) Kheer , Dates Kheer and Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients

This easy Bhapa doi recipe with condesnsed milk , needs just 3 basic ingredients to make. Other add on's are optional to enhance taste and flavour.

Yogurt - Traditionally , you need thick yogurt ( homemade / storebought Indian curds) to make this recipe. You need to hung the curd first ( just as we do it to make shrikhand ) and then used in bhapa doi recipe. But as a shortcut method, you can also use greek yogurt.

Condensed Milk -This recipe is Bhapa doi with condensed milk. You can use either store bought condensed milk or use homemade condensed milk. I have used condensed milk from stores. Or as an alternative , you can reduce milk to half the quantity and use any sweetener like sugar or jaggery to make this dessert.

Cardamom Powder - I prefer to use freshly pound cardamom powder for flavorful Bhapadoi. But you can also use store bought.

Optional Addon's

Saffron Milk - Soak 3-4 crushed saffron strands in ¼ cup of milk and use in this recipe to get a light saffron flavour in bhapa doi dessert. Also it adds pale yellowish tinge to the dessert .Though it's optional , I recommend to add this as it adds a tone of flavour and aroma to the dish.

Chopped Nuts - I have used 1 tablespoon of chopped pistachios and almonds alltogether in this desert. You can choose to add any nuts of your choice or skip it totally.

Tips and Variations

Instead of using stor bought condensed milk ,you can make your own condensed milk at home.

Or else as an alternative , you can use whole milk . Keep on simmer and reduce milk to half the quantity and use in this recipe.

If using reduced milk , then add any sweetener like sugar or jaggery in this dessert.

For every 500 ml of whole milk reduced to 200-250 ml , use 4-5 tbsp of sugar or any sweetener as per your taste. Just as you make Basundi ( except for adding nuts)

To shorcut the time and process, you can directly use plain greek yogurt from stores instead of making hung curd.

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How to make Bhapa Doi

Preparations

Soak 1 pinch of saffron in a ¼ cup warm milk .

Chop almonds and pistachios, set aside.

To make hung curd ( skip these steps, if using Greek yogurt)

Place a strainer over a deep bowl. Then line a muslin cheesecloth or kitchen cotton towel on the strainer.

Pour the fresh curd (yogurt) over the muslin cloth . Use fresh curd and not the one which is sour.

Bring all the edges of the muslin together and tie one edge tightly around the rest.

Gently press , you can see the whey dripping , Refrigerate for 2 hours , let the whey drips off.

Now hung the muslin cloth for 1.5 to 2 hours . So that whey water drips off completely and collects inside the bowl.

To make Bhapa doi

Into a mixing bowl , add hung curd approximately about 1 cup ( or plain Greek yogurt ) .

Add saffron milk and condensed milk . Alternatively ,instead of condensed milk you can use reduced milk ( ½ litre milk reduced to 250ml ) and 4-5 tablespoon of sugar ( as required) .

Now add in freshly pound green cardamom powder.

Whisk well, until it is smooth and has a pourable consistency.

Grease bowl / tin with ghee and pour the yogurt mix into a bowl. You can use either a small serving bowls or 1 large bowl as per your choice.

Sprinkle some chopped nuts and saffron on top , optional.

Cover the bowl with a lid (or plate ) or foil , so that steamed vapour doesn’t fall back into the yogurt mix.

For steaming

Place water in a steamer and bring to boil .

Keep the covered bowl into the steamer.

Steam on medium heat for 20 minutes , giving 2 minutes extra standing time.

Remove from the steamer and set aside to cool down.

When it cools down completely , refrigerate for minimum 2 hours .

After 2 hours in refrigerator, slightly shake the bowl to loosen bhap doi from bowl.

De-mould it on a plate , garnish with nuts if required , cut into slice and serve.

If using small ramekin bowls , then you can serve directly in bowls without de-moulding .

Tastes best when served chilled.

Recipe Card

FAQ's

Difference between Bhapa Doi and Mishti Doi?

Mishti Doi is a sweetened curd . To make mishti doi , sweetened milk is allowed to sit for 8-10 hours in a clay pot to set and becaome curds , i.e, Mishti ( Sweet) Doi ( Curds)

How to store Bhapa Doi ?

Store in refrigerator , if you are consuming it within a 2 days. Stays good in refrigeratore for 2-3 days.

Is it freezer friendly?

Yes , you can freeze the dessert in a air tight container. stay good in refrigerator for about 3 months.

Why was my dessert , did not set ?

Water content in the dessert would have been more , in such cases cooking time needs to be increassed.

Can I make Bhapa Doi in Oven ?

Yes, you can make it in instant pot or in oven . Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place the dish in the middle rack. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool down a bit before placing in refrigerator.