Mohanthal is a quintessential Indian sweet that is a favorite in my home for its unique melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicious flavor. As a chef with over 10 years of experience cooking Indian sweets, mohanthal recipe is one of my specialties and an absolute joy to make.
Made primarily with gram flour, ghee, sugar and nuts, mohanthal has a rich taste unlike any other sweet. In Gujarat, it is often prepared during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. However, it makes for a perfect sweet to be enjoyed at any time with a cup of piping hot masala chai.
In this detailed blog post, I will share my master recipe for making incredibly soft, luscious mohanthal at home with step-by-step instructions and handy tips I have learned over the years. Whether you are new to Indian sweets or a seasoned cook, this easy recipe will help you make the best mohanthal every single time.
Ingredients for Mohanthal Recipe
Mohanthal preparation only needs a few ingredients that are easily available in your pantry or grocery store. Here's what you'll need:
- 2 cups gram flour (besan) - This is the main base ingredient to make the sweet. You can use store bought or freshly ground besan.
- 1 cup ghee - Use homemade pure ghee for the signature taste. Clarified butter also works well.
- 1 cup powdered sugar - Granulated white sugar finely ground yields best results. You can also use a 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup honey/jaggery mix.
- 1/4 cup whole milk - This helps bind the mixture to a smooth dough. You can use heavy cream too.
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder - For a lovely aromat. I also like to add a pinch of nutmeg.
- Chopped nuts like cashews, almonds, pistachios for garnish - Use about 1/3 cup of mixed nuts.
- Saffron strands (optional) - Just a pinch lends a beautiful flavor and aroma.
- Edible silver foil (vark) (optional) - For decorative effect
Apart from the main ingredients above, you will also need a thick bottomed pan, a greased plate, a spoon and spatula for preparation.
Step-By-Step Instructions to Make Mohanthal
Mohanthal preparation involves very simple steps that come together to make an incredibly tasty sweet. Follow my detailed instructions to create the perfect mohanthal:
Roast the Gram Flour
- Heat a thick bottomed pan on low flame. Add the besan and roast for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. The color will turn slightly darker with a nutty smell. This step adds depth of flavor.
- Allow the roasted gram flour to cool completely before the next step.
Melt the Ghee
- In another pan, melt the ghee on low heat.
- You can use 1 cup of ghee or reduce it to 3/4 cup if you prefer. The more ghee, the richer the mohanthal.
Cook the Mohanthal Mixture
- To the melted ghee, add the roasted besan. With a spoon, stir continuously to avoid any lumps for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour the milk slowly, mixing continuously to get a smooth, thick dough-like paste.
- Cook for 2 more minutes while stirring non-stop.
Add Remaining Ingredients
- Remove pan from heat. Add the powdered sugar and cardamom powder. You can also add saffron and nutmeg at this point for extra flavor.
- Mix everything really well until combined. The mixture will thicken as it cools.
Set the Mohanthal
- Grease a plate with some ghee and transfer the mohanthal mixture into it. Spread evenly into a circular disc shape with a spoon or spatula.
- Tap the plate gently to remove any air bubbles. Smooth over the top.
- Garnish decoratively with the chopped nuts and silver foil (if using).
- Allow it to completely set for at least 2 hours before cutting.
Cut and Serve
- Once set, use a greased knife to slice the mohanthal into diamond, square or triangle shapes.
- Arrange them on a serving plate and enjoy! Store leftovers in an air-tight container.
Cooking and Setting Time
Cooking mohanthal mixture 3-5 minutes
Setting time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Tips and Variations for Perfect Mohanthal
Here are some of my tips for making foolproof mohanthal after years of mastering this recipe:
- Roast the flour evenly to a aromatic golden color. Don't let it burn.
- Cook on low flame throughout to prevent burning or sticking.
- Use homemade ghee for superior taste. You can even use ghee leftover from khichdi.
- Add a tsp of melted ghee on top before serving for extra richness.
- Mix in a tsp of rose water for a floral flavor.
- Shape mohanthal into oval ladoos, cubes or cottage cheese moulds.
- Coat with desiccated coconut for variety in texture.
- For a fusion twist, stuff mohanthal into mini tart shells.
- Replace cashews with pistachios or almonds for variation.
- Experiment with flavors like orange zest, saffron, cinnamon etc.
Serving Suggestions and Occasions
The melt-in-mouth sweetness of mohanthal makes it a delightful treat for any occasion:
- Have it as a mid-day snack with chai or coffee.
- Serve it to guests after a wholesome Indian meal.
- Prepare a tray as part of a Diwali or Ganesh Chaturthi sweets platter.
- Offer it as prasad when people visit your home.
- Pack it in decorative boxes as a housewarming or hostess gift.
- Prepare bite-sized versions for birthday parties or weddings.
- Let kids enjoy it as an after-school snack with milk.
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition information per serving:
- Calories: 212 kcal
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 75mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 3g
Being a rich sweet, mohanthal is high in calories, saturated fats and sugar content. Enjoy in moderation as an occasional treat. It provides fast energy along with small amounts of protein.
FAQs
How long does mohanthal last?
If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, mohanthal will stay fresh for 10-15 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
Can we make mohanthal without ghee?
Ghee is integral to making the signature texture and flavor of mohanthal. You can use clarified butter instead. But avoiding ghee altogether changes the taste.
What to do if mohanthal becomes too crumbly?
If your mohanthal is too dry and crumbly, mix in 1-2 teaspoons of milk while cooking. This helps bind it to the desired dough-like texture.
Can we shape mohanthal when partially set?
It's best to allow mohanthal to completely set first before shaping. Cutting it while still soft can make it lose shape.
Conclusion
Mohanthal is a timeless Indian sweet that is simple to prepare yet exotic in flavor. With its melt-in-mouth texture, aromatic fragrance and unique taste, it is no wonder mohanthal is a cherished festive treat. I hope you will enjoy this mohanthal recipe as much as I do. Do let me know in the comments how your homemade mohanthal turns out!
Mohanthal Recipe Card
Ingredients:
-
Mohanthal preparation only needs a few ingredients that are easily available in your pantry or grocery store. Here's what you'll need:
- 2 cups gram flour (besan) - This is the main base ingredient to make the sweet. You can use store bought or freshly ground besan.
- 1 cup ghee - Use homemade pure ghee for the signature taste. Clarified butter also works well.
- 1 cup powdered sugar - Granulated white sugar finely ground yields best results, You can also use a 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup honey/jaggery mix.
- 1/4 cup whole milk - This helps bind the mixture to a smooth dough. You can use heavy cream too.
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder - For a lovely aromat. I also like to add a pinch of nutmeg.
- Chopped nuts like cashews, almonds, pistachios for garnish - Use about 1/3 cup of mixed nuts.
- Saffron strands (optional) - Just a pinch lends a beautiful flavor and aroma.
- Edible silver foil (vark) (optional) - For decorative effect Apart from the main ingredients above, you will also need a thick bottomed pan, a greased plate, a spoon and spatula for preparation.
Instructions:
-
Mohanthal preparation involves very simple steps that come together to make an incredibly tasty sweet. Follow my detailed instructions to create the perfect mohanthal:
- Heat a thick bottomed pan on low flame. Add the besan and roast for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. The color will turn slightly darker with a nutty smell. This step adds depth of flavor.
- Allow the roasted gram flour to cool completely before the next step.
- In another pan, melt the ghee on low heat.
- You can use 1 cup of ghee or reduce it to 3/4 cup if you prefer. The more ghee, the richer the mohanthal.
- To the melted ghee, add the roasted besan. With a spoon, stir continuously to avoid any lumps for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour the milk slowly, mixing continuously to get a smooth, thick dough-like paste.
- Cook for 2 more minutes while stirring non-stop.
- Remove pan from heat. Add the powdered sugar and cardamom powder. You can also
- add saffron and nutmeg at this point for extra flavor.
- Mix everything really well until combined. The mixture will thicken as it cools.
- Grease a plate with some ghee and transfer the mohanthal mixture into it. Spread evenly into a circular disc shape with a spoon or spatula.
- Tap the plate gently to remove any air bubbles. Smooth over the top.
- Garnish decoratively with the chopped nuts and silver foil (if using).
- Allow it to completely set for at least 2 hours before cutting.
- Once set, use a greased knife to slice the mohanthal into diamond, square or triangle shapes.
- Arrange them on a serving plate and enjoy! Store leftovers in an air-tight container.
Roast the Gram Flour
Melt the Ghee
Cook the Mohanthal Mixture
Add Remaining Ingredients
Set the Mohanthal
Cut and Serve
Time (Cooking, Preparation):
- Preparation Time 10-12 Minutes
- Cooking mohanthal mixture 3-5 minutes
- Setting time 2 hours Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Tips and Variations
-
Here are some of my tips for making foolproof mohanthal after years of mastering this recipe:
- Roast the flour evenly to a aromatic golden color. Don't let it burn.
- Cook on low flame throughout to prevent burning or sticking.
- Use homemade ghee for superior taste. You can even use ghee leftover from khichdi.
- Add a tsp of melted ghee on top before serving for extra richness.
- Mix in a tsp of rose water for a floral flavor.
- Shape mohanthal into oval ladoos, cubes or cottage cheese moulds.
- Coat with desiccated coconut for variety in texture.
- For a fusion twist, stuff mohanthal into mini tart shells.
- Replace cashews with pistachios or almonds for variation.
- Experiment with flavors like orange zest, saffron, cinnamon etc.
Serve with:
- The melt-in-mouth sweetness of mohanthal makes it a delightful treat for any occasion:
- Have it as a mid-day snack with chai or coffee.
- Serve it to guests after a wholesome Indian meal.
- Prepare a tray as part of a Diwali or Ganesh Chaturthi sweets platter.
- Offer it as prasad when people visit your home.
- Pack it in decorative boxes as a housewarming or hostess gift.
- Prepare bite-sized versions for birthday parties or weddings.
- Let kids enjoy it as an after-school snack with milk.
Nutrition:
- Here is the nutrition information per serving:
- Calories: 212 kcal
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 75mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 3g
إرسال تعليق