Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you some amazing recipes that you can try at home. Today, we are going to talk about one of the most popular and mouth-watering desserts in India: the malai cake.
Malai cake is a soft and moist cake that is made with fresh cream, milk, sugar, eggs, and flour. It has a rich and creamy texture that melts in your mouth. Malai cake is often flavored with cardamom, saffron, rose water, or nuts. It is a perfect treat for any occasion, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, festival, or just a regular day.
What is Malai?
Malai is a Hindi word that means cream. It is the thick layer of fat that forms on the top of boiled milk. Malai is used in many Indian dishes, such as curries, sweets, and desserts. Malai adds richness and flavor to the food.
Malai can be made at home by boiling full-fat milk and letting it cool down. The malai will form on the surface of the milk and can be collected with a spoon. Alternatively, you can use store-bought heavy cream or whipping cream as a substitute for malai.
Benefits of Malai
Malai is not only delicious but also nutritious. It contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, and healthy fats that are good for your body. Some of the benefits of malai are:
- It moisturizes your skin and makes it soft and smooth.
- It strengthens your bones and teeth and prevents osteoporosis.
- It boosts your immunity and helps fight infections.
- It improves your digestion and prevents constipation.
- It enhances your brain function and memory.
Drawbacks of Malai
Malai is also high in calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat. If consumed in excess, it can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. Some of the drawbacks of malai are:
- It increases your blood sugar level and can cause spikes and crashes.
- It raises your blood pressure and can cause hypertension.
- It clogs your arteries and can cause atherosclerosis.
- It lowers your good cholesterol (HDL) and increases your bad cholesterol (LDL).
- It triggers inflammation and can cause acne, allergies, and arthritis.
How to Make Malai Cake?
Making malai cake is not very difficult. You just need some basic ingredients and a few simple steps. Here is the recipe for making a delicious malai cake at home:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of malai or heavy cream
- 1 cup of sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
- 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
- A pinch of saffron
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds or pistachios for garnishing (optional)
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together the malai and sugar until well combined.
- Add the eggs one by one and whisk well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla essence, cardamom powder, and saffron and whisk again.
- In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually and fold gently with a spatula until a smooth batter is formed.
- Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and pour the batter into it. Tap the pan lightly to remove any air bubbles.
- Sprinkle some sliced almonds or pistachios on top if desired.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool down completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Facts of Malai Cake
The following table shows the nutritional facts of one slice (1/12th) of malai cake:
| Calories | Carbohydrates | Protein | Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium |
| ——– | ————- | ——- | — | ———– | —— |
| 260 | 36 g | 5 g | 11 g| 95 mg | 150 mg |
As you can see, malai cake is a high-calorie and high-fat dessert that should be enjoyed in moderation. You can reduce the calories and fat by using low-fat cream, sugar-free sweetener, and whole wheat flour. You can also add some fruits or nuts to increase the fiber and antioxidants.
FAQs about Malai Cake
What is the difference between malai cake and pound cake?
Malai cake and pound cake are both types of sponge cakes that are made with eggs, butter, sugar, and flour. However, malai cake uses malai or cream instead of butter, which gives it a richer and creamier texture. Malai cake also has a distinct flavor of cardamom and saffron, while pound cake is usually plain or flavored with vanilla or lemon.
How to store malai cake?
Malai cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze malai cake for up to 3 months. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours or microwave it for a few seconds.
How to serve malai cake?
Malai cake can be served as it is or with some whipped cream, ice cream, custard, or fruit sauce. You can also drizzle some honey, maple syrup, or chocolate sauce on top for extra sweetness. Malai cake goes well with a cup of tea, coffee, or milk.
Can I make malai cake without eggs?
Yes, you can make malai cake without eggs by using some egg substitutes such as yogurt, applesauce, banana, flax seeds, or aquafaba. You will need to adjust the quantity and consistency of the batter accordingly. You can also use some baking soda or vinegar to help the cake rise.
Can I make malai cake in a microwave?
Yes, you can make malai cake in a microwave by following the same recipe but using a microwave-safe bowl or mug instead of a cake pan. You will need to reduce the baking time to about 5 minutes or until the cake is cooked through. You can also use a toothpick to check the doneness.
Can I make malai cake in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can make malai cake in a pressure cooker by following the same recipe but using a greased steel bowl instead of a cake pan. You will need to place the bowl on a trivet or stand inside the pressure cooker and add some water at the bottom. You will need to cook the cake on high pressure for about 20 minutes or until the cake is cooked through. You can also use a toothpick to check the doneness.
Can I make malai cake with condensed milk?
Yes, you can make malai cake with condensed milk by replacing the sugar with condensed milk in the recipe. You will need to reduce the quantity of condensed milk to about 1/2 cup or adjust according to your taste. You will also need to reduce the quantity of malai or cream to about 3/4 cup or adjust according to the consistency of the batter.
Can I make malai cake with coconut milk?
Yes, you can make malai cake with coconut milk by replacing the malai or cream with coconut milk in the recipe. You will need to use full-fat coconut milk for best results. You will also need to add some coconut oil or butter to the batter for extra moisture and flavor.
Can I make malai cake with almond milk?
Yes, you can make malai cake with almond milk by replacing the malai or cream with almond milk in the recipe. You will need to use unsweetened almond milk for best results. You will also need to add some almond extract or essence to the batter for extra flavor.
Can I make malai cake with gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can make malai cake with gluten-free flour by replacing the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour in the recipe. You will need to use a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum or add some xanthan gum separately to the batter for better texture and structure.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make a delicious malai cake at home. Malai cake is a soft and moist cake thatis made with fresh cream, milk, sugar, eggs, and flour. It has a rich and creamy texture that melts in your mouth. Malai cake is often flavored with cardamom, saffron, rose water, or nuts. It is a perfect treat for any occasion, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, festival, or just a regular day.
In this article, we have shared with you the recipe, the nutritional facts, and the FAQs of malai cake. We hope you will try this recipe and enjoy the taste of malai cake. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
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