Mohanthal Recipe (Traditional Sweet)

Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35–40 minutes
Setting Time: 3–4 hours
Yield: Approx. 650 grams

Ingredients

For coarse gram flour mix:

2 cups (270 g) coarse besan (gram flour)

2 tbsp (25 g) ghee

2 tbsp (30 ml) milk

For cooking:

¾ cup (150 g) ghee

½ cup (115 ml) milk

For sugar syrup:

1 cup (200 g) sugar

½ cup (115 ml) water

½ tsp cardamom powder

A few strands of saffron

A pinch of grated nutmeg

For garnish:

Sliced almonds – as needed

Sliced pistachios – as needed

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Gram Flour

In a large bowl, mix the coarse besan with 2 tbsp ghee and 2 tbsp milk.

Rub the mixture between your palms until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Press it down in the bowl, cover, and let it rest for 15–20 minutes.

After resting, break up the flour and sieve it through a large-holed sieve (not fine).

If you don’t have one, pulse the mixture in a mixer grinder into small granules.

Step 2: Cook the Gram Flour

Grease a tray or 9x7" tin with ghee and line it with butter paper.

In a heavy pan or kadhai, heat half of the ghee on high flame.

Add the prepared gram flour and mix well. Once absorbed, add the remaining ghee.

Reduce the flame to low and stir constantly for 20–25 minutes, until the mixture turns biscuity golden and foamy.

Turn off the flame. Slowly add the ½ cup milk, a spoon at a time. Be careful — it will bubble.

After initial bubbling subsides, pour in the rest of the milk and stir continuously.

Turn the flame back to low and cook for another 4–5 minutes, until the mixture looks slightly glossy (don’t let the ghee separate).

Turn off the flame, stir for 2–3 minutes, and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Make Sugar Syrup

In another pan, combine sugar, water, cardamom, saffron, and nutmeg.

Bring to a boil on high, then simmer until you reach one-string consistency:

To test: cool a drop of syrup slightly, press it between fingers and pull — a single string should form.

Turn off the flame, stir the syrup for 2–3 minutes to cool slightly.

Step 4: Combine & Set

Pour the warm sugar syrup into the gram flour mixture and mix well for 1–2 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared tray and spread evenly using a spatula.

Sprinkle sliced almonds and pistachios on top (optional).

Let it set at room temperature for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Final Step:

Once set, lift the mohanthal out of the tray using the butter paper and cut into desired pieces.

Enjoy your rich, melt-in-the-mouth Mohanthal!

Perfect for festivals or as a decadent sweet treat any time.