If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love Bal Mithai - a unique and delicious sweet from Uttarakhand. This fudgy, chocolatey treat is a must-try for anyone visiting the region, and now you can enjoy it at home with our easy-to-follow recipe
Bal Mithai has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century. Legend has it that a local confectioner in Almora accidentally burnt khoya (a type of condensed milk) while making another sweet. Not wanting to waste the burnt khoya, he added sugar and rolled it into small balls, which he called "Bal Mithai" - meaning "childhood sweetness.
Today, Bal Mithai is a popular sweet in Uttarakhand, especially in the regions of Almora and Pithoragarh. It's made with roasted khoya, which is mixed with sugar and shaped into small balls. These balls are then coated with tiny sugar balls called "papdi" to give them a unique texture and appearance.
Making Bal Mithai at home is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can recreate this delicious sweet in your own kitchen. Here's our easy-to-follow recipe:
Ingredients
2 cups khoya
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Papdi (for coating)
Instructions
In a heavy-bottomed pan, roast the khoya on low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring continuously to avoid burning.
Add sugar and cardamom powder to the khoya and mix well.
Add water and cook on low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
Take the mixture off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Grease your hands with ghee and shape the mixture into small balls.
Roll the balls in papdi to coat them.
Let the Bal Mithai cool and set for a few hours before serving.
With its unique texture and flavour, Bal Mithai is a delicious way to experience the flavours of Uttarakhand.
