How to Make Traditional Milk Cake at Home – A Rich Indian Sweet Recipe

Milk Cake, also known as Alwar ka Mawa, is one of the most loved traditional Indian sweets made with just a few simple ingredients. If you’re looking for easy Indian dessert recipes or homemade mithai ideas for festivals like Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, or even for a wedding, this milk cake recipe is a must-try.

Not only is it rich, grainy, and melt-in-the-mouth delicious, but this recipe is also one of the best Indian sweets for gifting, and ranks high among popular Indian dessert recipes. It’s slow-cooked for hours to develop its caramelized flavor and beautiful brown center, which makes it a true delicacy.

🧾 Ingredients for Milk Cake Recipe (Serves 8–10)

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions – How to Make Milk Cake at Home

Step 1: Boil the Milk

Start by pouring 2 liters of full-fat milk into a heavy-bottomed kadai or pan. Bring it to a boil on medium flame while stirring occasionally. Use a wide pan to allow quicker evaporation.

✅ Tip: Stir continuously to avoid burning and sticking at the bottom.

Step 2: Reduce the Milk

Once the milk starts boiling, lower the heat and keep simmering it. Stir regularly, scraping the sides of the pan, and reduce the milk to half.

This step is essential to develop the granular texture associated with a traditional milk cake.

Step 3: Add Lemon Juice

Once the milk thickens to about half, add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar. This will slightly curdle the milk, giving milk cake its signature grainy texture. Be cautious — don’t let it curdle completely like paneer.

Step 4: Continue Cooking

Cook the mixture until it thickens further and leaves the sides of the pan. At this point, the texture becomes like a soft mawa or khoya.

🔥 Pro Tip: This is the trick that makes this one of the most authentic Indian sweet recipes.

Step 5: Add Sugar and Ghee

Now, add 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of ghee. Mix well. The mixture will loosen up as the sugar melts, but continue stirring on low heat until it thickens again and begins to come together as a mass.

The sugar starts to caramelize slightly, giving that famous brown center of milk cake.

Step 6: Add Flavor

Mix in ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder and optionally some chopped pistachios. Turn off the flame.

Step 7: Set the Milk Cake

Grease a square or rectangular tin with ghee. Pour the mixture into the tin and tap to spread evenly. Do not press it flat; just level it gently. Let it rest and cool at room temperature for 6–8 hours, or overnight for best results.

🧊 Do not refrigerate until it has completely set at room temperature.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Once firm, cut into desired shapes — squares or diamonds — and garnish with silver vark and chopped pistachios. Serve your homemade milk cake as a perfect sweet treat for festive occasions or celebrations.

🎉 Best Occasions to Serve Milk Cake

This Indian dessert is ideal for:

• Diwali sweets recipes

• Raksha Bandhan special sweet

• Navratri prasad

• Wedding mithai

• Gifting during Indian festivals

• Janmashtami sweets for bhog

• Sweet recipes for housewarming ceremonies

Whether it’s a religious offering, festive treat, or simply an indulgent dessert for the family, milk cake stands out among the most loved Indian milk-based sweets.

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions – How to Make Milk Cake at Home

Step 1: Boil the Milk

Start by pouring 2 liters of full-fat milk into a heavy-bottomed kadai or pan. Bring it to a boil on medium flame while stirring occasionally. Use a wide pan to allow quicker evaporation.

✅ Tip: Stir continuously to avoid burning and sticking at the bottom.

Step 2: Reduce the Milk

Once the milk starts boiling, lower the heat and keep simmering it. Stir regularly, scraping the sides of the pan, and reduce the milk to half.

This step is essential to develop the granular texture associated with a traditional milk cake.

Step 3: Add Lemon Juice

Once the milk thickens to about half, add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar. This will slightly curdle the milk, giving milk cake its signature grainy texture. Be cautious — don’t let it curdle completely like paneer.

Step 4: Continue Cooking

Cook the mixture until it thickens further and leaves the sides of the pan. At this point, the texture becomes like a soft mawa or khoya.

🔥 Pro Tip: This is the trick that makes this one of the most authentic Indian sweet recipes.

Step 5: Add Sugar and Ghee

Now, add 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of ghee. Mix well. The mixture will loosen up as the sugar melts, but continue stirring on low heat until it thickens again and begins to come together as a mass.

The sugar starts to caramelize slightly, giving that famous brown center of milk cake.

Step 6: Add Flavor

Mix in ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder and optionally some chopped pistachios. Turn off the flame.

Step 7: Set the Milk Cake

Grease a square or rectangular tin with ghee. Pour the mixture into the tin and tap to spread evenly. Do not press it flat; just level it gently. Let it rest and cool at room temperature for 6–8 hours, or overnight for best results.

🧊 Do not refrigerate until it has completely set at room temperature.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Once firm, cut into desired shapes — squares or diamonds — and garnish with silver vark and chopped pistachios. Serve your homemade milk cake as a perfect sweet treat for festive occasions or celebrations.

🎉 Best Occasions to Serve Milk Cake

This Indian dessert is ideal for:

• Diwali sweets recipes

• Raksha Bandhan special sweet

• Navratri prasad

• Wedding mithai

• Gifting during Indian festivals

• Janmashtami sweets for bhog

• Sweet recipes for housewarming ceremonies

Whether it’s a religious offering, festive treat, or simply an indulgent dessert for the family, milk cake stands out among the most loved Indian milk-based sweets.

📝 Final Thoughts

Making milk cake at home might take some time, but the effort is totally worth it. If you’re searching for the most delicious Indian sweet recipes or trending desserts for Diwali, look no further. This easy milk cake recipe will become your go-to for celebrations and family gatherings.