Masala Doodh

Masala doodh, or masala milk, is a sweet Indian drink made with nuts, warming spices, and the milk of your choice. You can sweeten this cardamom and saffron spiced drink with sugar or keep it naturally sweet by using dates! I love drinking this as a dessert – it’s sweet and filling.

What is Masala Doodh?

When it comes to warm drinks, some people like Hot Chocolate, some like Golden Milk, or Chai. I like all (haha), but especially Masala Doodh.

That’s because Masala Doodh is:

You can make masala doodh by simmering powdered nuts and spices like cardamom, saffron, turmeric in milk. I like using full-fat whole milk because it makes for a rich and decadent dessert, but you can use whatever milk you’d like.

I like to garnish masala doodh with sliced nuts and saffron when serving it to guests, but it’s not necessary and I don’t typically do this when making it for myself.

A Naturally Sweet Indian Dessert

You can use any sweetener you’d like for masala doodh. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, then use sugar. If you’re trying to curb sugar cravings, then dates are the way to go.

I love using chopped dates – not only does it naturally sweeten the milk, but you get to enjoy the softened caramely dates once the drink is done. You can also use a spoon to grab some dates and eat them as you sip on the masala milk.

Masala Doodh Ingredients

A note about ingredients + optional additions: this masala doodh is easy to adapt, so feel free to play around with what you add to this recipe. I almost always add ¼ teaspoon of chia seeds – I love that addition! I suggest making it once as written – after that, adjust as you want to! Play around with spices – add some nutmeg or maybe even cinnamon or ground cloves. Try using different nuts – maybe some macadamia or walnuts. It’s a very forgiving recipe – however, the recipe below is my personal favorite combination.

How to Make Masala Doodh Powder + Masala Doodh

First, we need to make masala doodh powder! Toast the nuts and seeds and then let them cool.

Grind the nuts and seeds into a powder, and store the powder in the fridge in an airtight container.

Having masala doodh powder ready makes it easy to make masala doodh whenever you’d like.

When you’re ready to make masala doodh, add milk and chopped dates or sugar to a pot and bring it to a low boil. Then add the masala doodh powder and simmer.

Turn off the heat, pour into a glass, and enjoy! Once you’re done drinking, use a spoon to eat the soft dates at the bottom of your cup!

More Indian Drinks to Try:

Masala Doodh

Masala Doodh

5 from 8 reviews

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Servings 18 tablespoons of masala doodh powder

Course beverage, Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

 

Masala Doodh Powder

• ▢ ¼ cup raw almonds
• ▢ ¼ cup raw cashews
• ▢ ¼ cup raw pistachios halves
• ▢ 2 tablespoons white poppy seeds OR pumpkin seeds
• ▢ 2 teaspoons freshly ground cardamom
• ▢ Pinch of saffron strands
• ▢ ½ teaspoon turmeric

To Make Masala Doodh:

• ▢ 8 ounces Whole Milk or Milk of Choice per person
• ▢ 2 dates, chopped or 1 teaspoon sugar per person I like Medjool or Delget Noor dates
• ▢ Garnish: sliced nuts saffron strands

Instructions

 

To Make Masala Milk Powder:

• Add the nuts and poppy seeds to a pan over low heat. Toast for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat let them cool completely.
• Once cool, add the nuts and poppy seeds along with saffron, cardamom, turmeric to a spice grinder. Grind into a powder. I suggest grinding in two batches. You want to make sure this is a powder – do not over-grind or it could turn into nut butter.
• Pour the nut powder into a container and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
• Use 2 tablespoons of milk masala for every 8 ounces of milk.

To Make Masala Doodh:

• Add the whole milk and chopped dates (or sugar) to a pot and bring it to a low boil.
• Add the masala doodh powder and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and pour the doodh and dates into a glass and enjoy. Once you’re done drinking, use a spoon to eat the soft caramely dates at the bottom of your cup!

Notes

You can take the dates out or leave them in. If you prefer sugar, skip the dates and add 1 teaspoon of sugar instead.

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