Barfi is a sweetmeat primarily made with milk and sugar and spiced with cardamom (elaichi). There are several variations of the word Barfi which is derived from “barf”, a Persian word meaning snow, referring to the typical, white appearance of the sweetmeat. These include barfee, borfee, burfi and burfee. Barfi originated in the Indian subcontinent but has since spread across the world in countries like Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands. Barfi is especially popular during the holiday seasons, wedding ceremonies and religious festivals like Eid, Diwali and Phagwah. The simple milk and sugar delicacy can be elevated with the addition of sliced nuts or an edible layer of silver.
Interesting Tip
- Chocolate Barfi is also called Indian-style brownies because of their similar appearance.
Photo By Sriki555 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40707770
What is Barfi?
Barfi is a milk-based sweetmeat typically made of sugar and condensed milk. The mixture is cooked until it solidifies. Barfi is a very versatile delicacy which can be prepared for any occasion, casual or formal. In addition, it can be made with a number of other ingredients which are all added to improve the flavour of the sweetmeat. including gram flour, spices and a wide variety of nuts like pistachios and peanuts and spices including rose water and cardamom. Barfi can be cut into many shapes and can be coated with a layer of edible metallic silver leaf called vark, adding a touch of elegance for the more formal occasions.
How To Make Barfi – Guyanese Style
Barfi With Powdered Milk
Ingredients:
- 10 oz sugar
- 16 oz powdered milk
- 1 tin Nestlé’s cream
- ground cardamom (elaichi)
- ground cinnamon
- ground clove
- water
Optional: ginger, sprinkles
Method:
- In a large bowl, mix milk powder and cream, until the mixture looks like crumbs.
- Add sugar, ginger and water and boil.
- Add 1 pinch each of ground clove, ground cinnamon and ground cardamom.
- Next, add milk mixture. Ensure it is not too soft.
- On a greased cooking sheet, spread the Barfi mixture.
- Add your choice of sprinkles.
- Before the Barfi cools, cut into squares or diamonds.
- Enjoy!
Barfi – Photo By Nithyasrm – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40924833
Watch This: Milk Barfi || Trini Milk Barfi- Episode 176 | Matthew’s Guyanese Cooking
How To Make Coconut Barfi – Guyanese Style
Ingredients:
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 coconut
- 2 tbsp cream, optional
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom (elaichi)
Optional: 2 tbsp cream, sprinkles
Method:
- Grate coconut.
- In a large pot, mix together grated coconut, sugar and milk until sugar completely dissolves.
- Add 2 tbsp cream until the mixture thickens.
- Next add spices (ground clove, ground cinnamon and ground cardamom).
- Remove from heat and transfer Barfi mixture onto a greased baking sheet.
- transfer the prepared dough into a greased plate lined with baking paper.
- Allow to cool then cut into pieces.
- Enjoy!
Tip: Refrigerate Barfi if there are leftovers.
Watch This: Coconut Barfi Recipe Video, step by step Tutorial | Real Nice Guyana
How To Make Almond Cashew Barfi
Ingredients:
- ½ cup almonds
- 4 cups almond flour
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
- ½ cup almonds, chopped
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp ground cardamom (elaichi)
- 1 tbsp ghee or butter
- water
Optional: grated coconut, vanilla essence, sliced almonds for garnish
Method:
- In a large pot, add sugar and water and allow to boil until it forms a syrup.
- Mix almond flour and powdered milk in a bowl. Add ground cardamom (elaichi).
- Add condensed milk to sugar mixture and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Next, add ghee or butter and powder mixture.
- Mix and cook until mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and spread onto a baking sheet
- Cut into desired shapes and garnish with chopped almonds.
- Garnish each piece of burfi with sliced almonds while the burfi is still soft.
- Enjoy!
Watch This: How to make Almond Barfi – Episode 244 | Trini Cooking with Natasha
Barfi in Guyana
Barfi is a fairly popular sweetmeat in Guyana, enjoyed by people of all religions, especially on holidays. The sweetmeat is easy to make and a wide variety of ingredients can be added to customize Barfi to your tastebuds. For your next event or holiday, add some Barfi to your dessert menu!
Article Reference
- http://www.guyanadining.com/barfi-recipe/
- https://www.manjulaskitchen.com/almond-cashew-burfi/
- https://guyanachronicle.com/2012/03/03/recipes-for-preparing-indian-sweetmeats/
- https://hebbarskitchen.com/coconut-burfi-recipe-nariyal-barfi/
