Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda

// Easy Apple Shaped Milk Peda recipe in 20 minutes. This super cute and delicious Apple Shaped Milk Peda is a quick and instant classic Doodh Peda.



Easy Apple Shaped Milk Peda recipe in 20 minutes! This super cute and delicious Apple Shaped Milk Peda is a quick and instant version of making classic Doodh Peda with minimal ingredients.

It has traditional flavorings of cardamom and saffron. 

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a female holding mini apple pedas in hands

This instant version of Milk Peda recipe makes a classic looking, rich, semi-soft, and melt in mouth milk peda without hours of stirring and reducing milk. In just 20 minutes, your made from scratch milk peda is ready.

Apple shaped milk fudge or apple-shaped milk peda is a quick mithai that is super easy, super yummy, and is the perfect homemade sweet for any festive season. This is one of the easiest milk-based desserts you can make using milk powder. 

This easy-to-make Indian sweet makes a perfect treat for any festivals and parties. Make it for Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Halloween, or even to celebrate the colors of autumn. No matter when you make it, these tiny balls would make sure to fit in so gracefully on the menu.

This recipe page has all the tips, tricks, and variations, to help you make perfect halwai style melt in mouth rich and classic milk peda each time. Recipe box on this page has step-by-step photos and video recipes for a better understanding. 

Try this delicious Apple Shaped Milk Peda recipe and relish them with your loved ones! 

What is Peda?

Peda (or Pera) is a traditional and popular Indian sweet that is prepared all over India. The origin of Peda in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. 

Pedas are similar to a milk fudge and have different flavors and varieties in different states. Its color varies from a creamy white to a caramel color to yellow, depending upon the ingredients used. It can be made with milk, milk powder, mawa, or paneer. There are also other pedas like this Mango Peda, and Mathura Peda.

apple shaped milk peda kept on a wooden board

What is Milk Peda or Doodh Peda? 

Milk Pedas or Doodh Peda is a traditional and delicious Indian sweet which are semi-soft milk fudge balls made with milk, and sugar. This Indian sweet Milk Peda has a rich, and semi-soft yet melt in mouth texture and very delicately caramelized milky flavors.

An authentic way of making milk peda involves hours of reducing milk and turning it into semi-soft milk solids dough (khoya/mawa). To make khoya, full cream milk is simmered for hours to collect milk solids.

What is Apple Shaped Milk Peda?

Apple Shaped Milk Peda is a beautified version of traditional Indian sweet Milk Peda. This peda doesn’t have any apple but it looks like an apple, thus, it is called apple shaped milk peda.

There are many ways to cook and flavor up a simple peda. This Apple Shaped Milk Peda is an Instant version of saffron cardamom flavored milk peda that is made with milk powder. It is a super easy and quick milk peda that can be ready in under 15 minutes. 

This easy-to-make milk peda recipe is a perfect amalgamation of balanced sugar and creamy richness of milk powder. 

It may look intimidating, but it’s super easy and fun to prepare. I wouldn’t be overstating if I say that preparing these pedas is child’s play. I can literally say that because my little one loved helping me in making these apple shaped milk pedas. 

Make it with your kids, they would definitely love to help you with this. Fancy looking peda making at home is much better than buying from any sweet shop. 

This Apple Shaped Milk Peda:

✔︎ is simple, quick, and easy to make

✔︎ is made with the basic and handy ingredient

✔︎ is ready in under 15 minutes

✔︎ is vegetarian & gluten-free

✔︎ tastes so divine like traditional milk peda

✔︎ is delectably sweet and looks so elegant

✔︎ has a rich, semi-soft, and melt-in-the-mouth texture

✔︎ makes a beautiful gift for festivals

✔︎ is a lifesaver for the times when you have sudden guests at home

a female holding a wooden cutting board with apple pedas

When to make Apple Shaped Milk Peda?

Apple Shaped Milk Peda is a fancy looking hearty dessert. Unlike other Indian sweet recipes, this delicacy is very easy, quick, and simple. So it can be made anytime and savored in the following ways. 

  • Make it for festivals or special occasions. 

  • Enjoy it as an after-meal dinner or lunch.

  • Add it to your 3-course meal menu.

  • Have it anytime you are craving for sweets.

  • Make it for get-togethers.

  • Make an assorted box and gift them to your friends and family

  • Make it for a kid’s party, kitty party, or potluck.

  • Make it to impress your friend/family with your amazing cooking skills.

How to make Apple Shaped Milk Peda?

Apple Shaped Milk Peda is very simple to make. Just follow some easy steps to make your elegant looking apple shaped milk peda.

This is how it is done in 7 easy steps.

Step 1: Make Sugar syrup by combining water and sugar.

Step 2: Add in milk powder and mix well to make a lump-free mixture. 

Step 3: Add saffron soaked milk and cook until mixture starts leaving sides.

Step 4: Add in ghee and cardamom and mix well.

Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a plate and let it cool.

Step 6: Shape the warm mixture into balls. Then insert a clove on top of the balls.

Step 7: Paint each ball with some red food color and decorate with pistachio slices. Done! 

Go to the recipe box for the recipe with step by step instructions, pictures, and video.

What are the ingredients for Apple Shaped Milk Peda?

Apple Shaped Milk Peda recipe is prepared with the following easily available ingredients:

  1. Milk powder

  2. Sugar

  3. Saffron soaked milk (saffron strands soaked in hot milk)

  4. Cardamom

  5. Ghee 

  6. Pistachios (optional for garnishing)

  7. Cloves (optional for garnishing)

  8. Some red food color (optional for garnishing)

How to make Saffron Soaked Milk?

To make saffron soaked milk, add a pinch (10-12 strands) of crushed saffron to 2-3 tablespoons of hot milk. Keep it aside, and let it soak up all the flavors for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes your saffron soaked milk is ready.

apple shaped milk peda decorated with sliced pistachio

Can I make Milk Peda Sugar free?

Yes, you can surely do that. Milk powder has its own sweet aftertaste. So if you are someone who doesn’t like super sweet desserts then it is the best choice for you to skip the sugar part. 

To make it sugar-free, cook the milk powder with milk instead of sugar syrup. And follow the same recipe. 

What else can I add to milk peda?

Milk peda doesn’t usually have nuts or other ingredients in the base. But this is such a versatile recipe, and you can easily tweak it according to your taste preferences. Here you can add almost everything that you can add in a milk fudge. Below are some options for you:

  • Dried chopped cranberries

  • Dried chopped apricots

  • Almond meal

  • Powdered cashews

  • Powdered peanuts

  • Chopped fried or roasted nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnut, or hazelnuts)

  • Roasted seeds (pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds)

  • Candied fruits

  • Raisins

  • Cream

  • Condensed milk 

What are other flavorings I can add to Milk Peda?

I have flavored this peda with flavorings of cardamom and saffron which accentuates the taste of this traditional sweet delicacy. 

Peda has its own delicate characteristic but doesn’t really need any added flavors. However, if you are someone like me who loves enriched flavors, then you can use any of the below flavorings to make different varieties of pedas.

Rose Peda:

Add Rose water or rose essence to your milk powder mixture.

Kewara Peda:

Add a splash of Kewra water or kewra essence to the milk powder mixture and give it a good mix.

Saffron Peda:

To make Saffron or Kesar Peda, soak saffron strands soaked in milk. Once infused, add this milk to the milk powder mixture.

Cardamom Peda:

Add some ground green cardamom for aromatic flavors.

Nutmeg Peda:

Add a pinch of ground nutmeg to the milk mixture.

Vanilla Peda:

Add in a few drops of vanilla extract to this milk mixture.

Almond Peda:

To add delicate almond flavors, add some almond extract to the milk powder mixture.

Can I freeze Apple Shaped Milk Peda?

Yes, you can freeze this milk peda. It stays fresh in the freezer for 3 months. 

To freeze, arrange pedas in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for 2-3 hours. Then transfer frozen pedas into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

overhead shot of milk peda served on a wooden cutting board and apples on the side

What are the tips, tricks, and variations to make the best Apple Shaped Milk Peda?

  1. This apple shaped milk peda stays good for 3-4 days at room temperature when stored in an air-tight container. For longer shelf life, you can refrigerate for up to 10 days.  

  2. I have made about 15 mini apple shaped milk pedas. But you can also shape them into large apple pedas.

  3. Saffron soaked milk is only added for the flavorings, so it is completely optional here.

  4. When making milk-based Indian sweets, make sure to use good quality fresh full-fat milk powder. Full fat milk gives the best result.

  5. If you want the same melt in the mouth texture of peda, then follow the instructions carefully. Do not change the number of ingredients and cooking processes.

  6. Make sure that the peda mixture is cooked properly, or else it will turn chewy instead of fudgy.

  7. Remember to add 1 tablespoon of ghee to the milk powder mixture. This is because ghee adds a nice caramelized flavor and greasy texture to the mixture. 

  8. If you don’t have ghee, then you can easily make homemade ghee from butter. But if you don’t want to make ghee then swap ghee with the same amount of unsalted butter.

  9. If the mixture is not cooked properly the peda will have a chewy texture instead of melt in mouth fudgy texture.

  10. Always shape the balls when the mixture is still warm. The mixture hardens after cooling, so if the mixture cools down, then you won’t be able to shape them into balls.

  11. Coloring pedas is optional. If you don’t like using color in your food, then you can entirely skip the coloring part. 

  12. For coloring, I used a few drops of red food color mixed in 1 teaspoon of water. You can also use powdered food color. Just mix it with some water, and you are good to go.

  13. While coloring apples, make sure you brush from top to bottom or bottom to top, but never sidewards. That means start coloring from bottom to up to make them look more natural. Also, don’t brush peda evenly, just leave some random spaces here and there.

a female sprinkling milk powder over apple shaped milk peda

Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda (Step-by-step photo instructions)

Making Saffron Soaked Milk:

  1. In a mixing bowl, add crushed saffron strands and hot milk. Give it a good stir and set aside for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors. Saffron soaked milk is ready. Keep this aside.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-1 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda

Making Milk Peda Mixture:

  1. Add sugar and water to a pan. Stir and let it boil over medium heat.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-1 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  3. Keep boiling until the syrup has sticky (almost half thread) consistency. Check the video for more clear understanding.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-2 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  5. Turn the heat to low, and pour milk powder gradually, into the pan. Stir well to make a lump-free mixture.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-3 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  7. Keep stirring it continuously on low heat.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-4 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  9. Add saffron soaked milk and stir well to combine. Keep stirring and cooking until the mixture starts leaving sides.
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-5 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  11. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and mix well. Cook until it leaves all sides and forms a soft yet slightly sticky dough. To check doneness, take a tiny piece in your hand and try shaping it into a ball. If it forms a smooth ball and holds the shape, then the mixture is ready. Else continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-6 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  13. Now, add cardamom powder and give it a nice mix. Turn off the heat.
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-7 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  15. Transfer this mixture onto a plate, and let it cool slightly. Do not let it cool completely or else the mixture would harden and you won't be able to shape them into balls.
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-2-8 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda

Making Apple Shaped Milk Peda:

  1. Grease your palms and take a small piece of warm mixture in your hands.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-1 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  3. Roll it into a smooth ball.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-2 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  5. Make a small indentation in the center of the ball using your finger or thumb.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-3 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  7. Insert the clove upside down on top of the ball.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-4 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  9. Slightly press the sides and bottom to give it an apple shape. Repeat the same steps until all the mixture is used up.
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-5 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  11. Brush each peda with red food color from bottom to top or top to bottom. For a natural look, leave the top area uncolored.
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-6 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  13. Decorate with sliced pistachios. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-7 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda
  15. Your Apple Shaped Milk Peda is ready. Store milk (doodh) peda in an airtight container.
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-3-8 for Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda

Recipe Card


Apple Shaped Milk Peda - Doodh Peda [Recipe]

Recipe Image
Easy Apple Shaped Milk Peda recipe in 20 minutes. This super cute and delicious Apple Shaped Milk Peda is a quick and instant classic Doodh Peda.
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 20 reviews)

Prep time 🕐 Cook time 🕐 Total time 🕐
20 mins
Category ☶ Cuisine ♨ Serves ☺
Desserts Indian 15-16 mini pedas
Nutrition Info ⊛ Serving size ⊚
82 calories 1 peda

INGREDIENTS

For Saffron Milk:
  • 10-12 Saffron strands, crushed
  • 2-3 tablespoons Hot milk
For Apple Shaped Peda:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1.5 cups milk powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder (elaichi powder)
  • 1 tablespoon ghee + plus for greasing palms
  • Few drops of red food color diluted with 1 teaspoon water. (You can also use a pinch powdered color mixed with water)
  • 15 cloves, for decoration
  • 1-2 tablespoons sliced pistachios
Equipment:
  • Brush, for painting pedas

INSTRUCTIONS:

Making Saffron Soaked Milk:
  1. In a mixing bowl, add crushed saffron strands and hot milk. Give it a good stir and set aside for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors. Saffron soaked milk is ready. Keep this aside.
Making Milk Peda Mixture:
  1. Add sugar and water to a pan. Stir and let it boil over medium heat.
  2. Keep boiling until the syrup has sticky (almost half thread) consistency. Check the video for more clear understanding.
  3. Turn the heat to low, and pour milk powder gradually, into the pan. Stir well to make a lump-free mixture.
  4. Keep stirring it continuously on low heat.
  5. Add saffron soaked milk and stir well to combine. Keep stirring and cooking until the mixture starts leaving sides.
  6. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and mix well. Cook until it leaves all sides and forms a soft yet slightly sticky dough. To check doneness, take a tiny piece in your hand and try shaping it into a ball. If it forms a smooth ball and holds the shape, then the mixture is ready. Else continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Now, add cardamom powder and give it a nice mix. Turn off the heat.
  8. Transfer this mixture onto a plate, and let it cool slightly. Do not let it cool completely or else the mixture would harden and you won't be able to shape them into balls.
Making Apple Shaped Milk Peda:
  1. Grease your palms and take a small piece of warm mixture in your hands.
  2. Roll it into a smooth ball.
  3. Make a small indentation in the center of the ball using your finger or thumb.
  4. Insert the clove upside down on top of the ball.
  5. Slightly press the sides and bottom to give it an apple shape. Repeat the same steps until all the mixture is used up.
  6. Brush each peda with red food color from bottom to top or top to bottom. For a natural look, leave the top area uncolored.
  7. Decorate with sliced pistachios. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  8. Your Apple Shaped Milk Peda is ready. Store milk (doodh) peda in an airtight container.

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NOTES:

  1. This apple shaped milk peda stays good for 3-4 days at room temperature when stored in an air-tight container. For longer shelf life, you can refrigerate for up to 10 days.  
  2. I have made about 15 mini apple shaped milk pedas. But you can also shape them into large apple pedas.
  3. Saffron soaked milk is only added for the flavorings, so it is completely optional here.
  4. When making milk-based Indian sweets, make sure to use good quality fresh full-fat milk powder. Full fat milk gives the best result.
  5. If you want the same melt in the mouth texture of peda, then follow the instructions carefully. Do not change the number of ingredients and cooking processes.
  6. Make sure that the peda mixture is cooked properly, or else it will turn chewy instead of fudgy.


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