Saffron Shrikhand Recipe | Kesar Shrikhand

Saffron Shrikhand, an easy-to-make, creamy Indian sweet is a simple dessert, one that involves no cooking on the kitchen range or baking in an oven. This saffron shrikhand recipe is just the one you need when summer is in full swing and you need something sweet, chilled, and refreshing without having to make much of an effort. Kesar Shrikhand or saffron shrikhand is much loved by kids and is worthy of being served to your best friends and family after meals.

What is Shrikhand?

If you have never tasted shrikhand, you’re in for a super treat. Shrikhand is a dense and creamy yogurt-based sweet dessert, which you can never have enough of. Shrikhand ingredients are basically yogurt and sugar along with a myriad of optional ingredients such as saffron, cardamom, nutmeg, et al for the variation you like.
 

How is Shrikhand made?

Saffron shrikhand, like all other varieties of shrikhand, is made using chakka as its base. But what is chakka? Chakka or chakka dahi is simply the Hindi name for hung yogurt. Yogurt that has been hung is a muslin cloth overnight – for at least 8 hours – until most of the liquid has drained out, leaving a dense or chakka yogurt mixture. Chakka is then blended with powdered white sugar for sweetness along with saffron strands soaked in some milk for their unmatched floral aroma, and nutmeg (or other ingredients as you might desire), which gives this kesar shrikhand a subtle hint of spice and added flavour.
 

A peek into the history of shrikhand:

Though the exact origin of Shrikhand may not be known, this dessert is popularly consumed in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In fact, it is one of the oldest known desserts in India. Shrikhand is believed to have been eaten in Gujarat since 500 BCE and in ancient Maharashtra since 400 BCE. It was earlier known as Shikharini (a name mentioned in Sanskrit literature) from which the modern name has evolved. Today, Shrikhand is often served during Indian festivals such as Rakhi, Bhai Dooj, Diwali, Dusshehra etc. It is also served on festive occasions such as birthdays and weddings. In the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, Shrikhand often forms a part of Thali meals.
 

What makes shrikhand special?

In India, yogurt, or curd as it is commonly known as, is often consumed in various forms such as lassi, chaach, or as plain yogurt, etc., to cut the heat of other spicy food being served as a part of the meal. And, of course, it has the added benefit of providing probiotics to our diet. We are often asked - Is shrikhand good for stomach? Is shrikhand good for health? Does shrikhand increase weight?  Since the base for shrikhand is curd (a healthy probiotic) – the answer is yes and no. The yogurt part is super healthy but the sugar component is not so healthy. So if you can find sugar substitutes like honey, jaggery (gur), or other healthy alternatives, try them and make your saffron shrikhand really healthy. Shrikhand, however, should be consumed in small portions by weight watchers.
 

How to make shrikhand well:

When making our saffron shrikhand recipe during the summer do not hang the yogurt at room temperature overnight as it will turn sour. Pour it in a muslin cloth or a cheese cloth lined strainer and hang it in the fridge over a sieve and another container to collect the excess liquid. Hanging the yogurt correctly and straining for a longer period, preferably overnight, ensures that the yogurt drains well and the resulting saffron shrikhand is thick and creamy. There is nothing worse than a thin, runny shrikhand. While making shrikhand from the scratch, you will need to start this steps ion this recipe one night before you want to serve this dessert. If you are looking for a quicker alternative to save time you could try using Greek yogurt available at some supermarkets.
 

What do you eat with shrikhand? | How to serve shrikhand

This saffron shrikhand sweet is best eaten on its own, but it makes a great pairing with puris too. Serve saffron shrikhand after chilling it in the fridge for a few hours. You could serve it in individual bowls and top the saffron shrikhand with a few saffron strands and pistachio slivers if you like.
 

Variants of Kesar Shrikhand

Shrikhand is like a clean palette as the yogurt takes on all flavours added to it. There are many shrikhand varieties that can be made using our saffron shrikhand recipe as a starting point. Mango shrikhand or amrakhand is very popular in Maharashtra. Other varieties include kesar-pista shrikhand, muskmelon shrikhand, strawberry shrikhand et al. Matho is a variety of shrikhand made in the state of Gujarat which has a variety of fruits added to it. So what is the difference between shrikhand and matho. Matho is slightly less dense and has many fruit for flavour as compared to shrikhand, which is thicker and creamier, and has one or two flavours dominating the dessert.
 

Remember if you have chakka (hung yogurt) available with you, this becomes an instant saffron shrikhand recipe that can be made at home in no time at all. Learn how to make delicious kesar shrikhand sweet dish from our step by step video and detailed recipe below.
 

If you liked our saffron shrikhand recipe you may also want to try our:

Mango Shrikhand
Muskmelon Payasam
Shahi Tukda
Besan Ladoo
Malpua
Khubani ka Meetha
Shahi Phirni
Homemade Yogurt

Or see all our Sweet Recipes right here!