The Best Besan Burfi

Name: The Best Besan Burfi
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 3 cup Chickpea flour (Besan); 1 cup Ghee; 3/4 cup Water; 1 1/2 cup Organic sugar; 1 teaspoon Green Cardamom powder; 1 pinch Nutmeg, freshly grated; 5-6 Almonds, sliced; 5-6 Pistachios, sliced

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If you're craving a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat, Besan Burfi is the perfect choice! Made with simple ingredients like gram flour (besan), ghee, and sugar, this rich, flavorful dessert is a popular Indian sweet that’s easy to prepare at home.

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About Besan Burfi
Ingredients
How to make Besan Burfi
Storage
Tips
FAQ's
More Indian Sweets
The Best Besan Burfi
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About Besan Burfi

Besan burfi is a traditional Indian sweet that's loved for its rich, nutty flavor and melt-in-the-mouth texture. It is often prepared and enjoyed during various Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, celebrations, and special occasions.

Besan burfi is a popular Indian sweet made by roasting chickpea flour in ghee until it achieves a golden hue, then combining it with a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom.

The mixture is allowed to set and is then cut into square or diamond-shaped pieces. This delectable dessert is commonly enjoyed during festivals and celebrations, and it pairs well with a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients

Here's a description of the ingredients used in making besan burfi:

Besan (Chickpea Flour): Besan, also known as chickpea flour or gram flour, is the primary ingredient in besan burfi. Besan gives the burfi its characteristic nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture when roasted.
Ghee (Clarified Butter): Ghee adds richness and a distinct buttery flavor to the besan burfi. It is used for roasting the besan and gives the sweet its desirable texture.
Pure Cane Sugar: Is used to sweeten the burfi. The sugar is dissolved in water to create a sugar syrup that binds the roasted besan and gives the burfi its sweetness.
Water: Water is used in combination with sugar to make a sugar syrup. The sugar syrup helps bind the ingredients together and provides the sweetness to the burfi.
Cardamom Powder: Cardamom powder is added to the burfi for a delightful aromatic touch and flavor. It complements the richness of the ghee and besan.
Nutmeg: The addition of nutmeg adds depth and complexity to the flavor, making the besan burfi even more delightful. Besan and nutmeg are match made in heaven, do not skip it!! And remember a little nutmeg goes a long way.
Chopped Nuts (Optional): Chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, or pistachios are often used as a garnish for besan burfi. They add a crunchy and nutty element to the sweet and enhance its visual appeal.

These ingredients come together to create the delicious and aromatic besan burfi, a classic Indian sweet loved for its unique combination of flavors and textures.

How to make Besan Burfi

Besan burfi is a popular Indian sweet made from chickpea flour (besan), ghee, sugar, and flavored with cardamom or other ingredients. It's a delicious and rich dessert that is often prepared during festivals and special occasions. Here's a basic recipe to make besan burfi:

Line a baking pan (9 x 9 inch) with parchment and set it aside. You can use 8 x 8 inch pan for thicker or 10 x 13 inch pan for thinner burfi.

In a heavy-bottomed or cast iron pan, heat ghee over low-medium heat. Add besan to the pan and roast it, stirring continuously. Roast the besan until it turns golden brown and you can smell a nutty aroma. This might take around 20-25 minutes. Be patient and ensure that the besan doesn't burn.

Initially the besan will be tight, keep stirring continuously. After around 10-12 minutes, it will start to loosen up, and around 20 minutes it will become thin and change the color also.

You will know the besan is roasted well when it becomes light and fluffy. You can smell the nutty aroma of the roasted besan.

Add cardamom powder and freshly grated nutmeg, mix well.

Remove the besan from the heat. Keep stirring the besan for another 4-5 minutes as the pan will be hot and the besan can burn with the residual heat. Allow the mixture to cool down before adding the sugar syrup.

Now, prepare the sugar syrup. In another pan, add sugar and water. Once the sugar dissolves, cook for 5-7 minutes to form a one-string consistency. To test this, take a drop of syrup between your thumb and forefinger; it should form a single string when you pull them apart.

Once the besan is slightly cool and the sugar syrup is ready, pour the sugar syrup into the roasted besan while stirring continuously. Be cautious as it might splutter.

Stir constantly to avoid lumps and ensure it is well combined. The mixture will start to thicken and leave the sides of the pan.

Transfer the mixture immediately to the prepared baking pan or greased plate and spread it evenly. If you want, you can garnish it with chopped nuts at this stage.

Allow the besan burfi to cool for a few hours until it sets completely.

Once it has cooled and set, cut it into desired shapes, typically diamond or square.

Your besan burfi is ready to be served. Store it in an airtight container.

Enjoy your homemade besan burfi! It's a sweet treat that's loved by many for its rich and nutty flavor

Storage

Store besan burfi in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month. Storing it in a cool, dry place is essential to preserve its freshness and texture.

Tips

Here are some tips for making perfect besan burfi:

Be Patient While Roasting: Roasting the besan in ghee is a crucial step. Ensure you roast it over low-medium heat and stir continuously. The besan should turn golden brown, and you should be able to smell its nutty aroma. Take your time with this step to avoid burning it.
One-String Sugar Syrup: Make sure the sugar syrup reaches the one-string consistency. To check this, take a drop of syrup between your thumb and forefinger; it should form a single string when you pull them apart. This consistency is essential for the burfi to set properly.
Use Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality besan, fresh ghee, nutmeg, and cardamom powder for the best flavor and texture in your besan burfi.
Prepare the Pan: Before you start making the burfi, line the baking pan or grease the tray with ghee where you'll set the burfi to prevent sticking.
Cool Before Cutting: Allow the besan burfi to cool completely before cutting it into pieces. This ensures neat and well-set burfi.
Garnish (optional): If you choose to garnish with nuts, press them gently into the surface of the burfi while it's still soft to make sure they stick.
Store Properly: Store the besan burfi in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place.

FAQ's

What is besan barfi made of?

Besan barfi is primarily made of chickpea flour (besan), which is roasted in ghee (clarified butter) until golden brown, and then combined with a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom. This mixture is allowed to set and is typically garnished with chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.

Is besan barfi good for health?

Besan barfi, like many sweets, is high in sugar and ghee, making it a calorie-dense treat. While it provides energy, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, and individuals with dietary restrictions or health concerns should be cautious with its consumption.

How many calories are in a Besan Barfi?

The number of calories in a besan barfi can vary depending on the size and specific ingredients used in its preparation, but a typical serving of 1 piece (approximately 40-50 grams) contains around 150 to 200 calories. These calories primarily come from the chickpea flour (besan), ghee (clarified butter), and sugar used in making the sweet.

What is plain barfi made of?

Plain barfi, also known as "burfi," is a classic Indian sweet made primarily from milk and sugar. These ingredients are cooked together until the mixture thickens and solidifies, and the barfi is often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts or edible silver foil.

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