Sweet Milk ice cream aka Indian Kulfi Ice cream is a creamy and decadent treat perfect for a hot summer day. Recipe is eggless, easy to make and absolutely delicious.

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Kulfi is a beloved childhood treat from India that was my absolute favorite. After coming to the US, I missed it's milky, refreshing taste.
But when I tried this milk ice cream recipe, I knew I hit the jackpot. This recipe from King Arthur flour catalog. I have been making it for years and it is a family favorite now.
The recipe uses more milk than cream. The predominant use of milk, gives it a delicious milky flavor. But surprisingly it has creamy, almost gelato-like texture.
Also there are no eggs in this recipe, the custard is thickened with tapioca starch, which stabilizes the base. In turn making the finished ice cream does not get rock hard in the freezer. It stays rich, creamy and deliciously smooth.
Ingredients
As mentioned before milk is the main ingredient in this sweet milk ice cream. I recommend only whole milk because the slightly higher fat will reduce icicle formation once frozen.
Whole dry milk powder is the key to get the smooth texture to the gelato. Milk and heavy cream are mostly comprised of water.
The milk powder absorbs that excess water and makes this frozen treat milkier and creamier. Otherwise it would be icy and grainy.
Tapioca Starch acts as thickener in the recipe. Cornstarch (aka cornflour) can be substituted but tapioca starch lends a better mouth-feel. But cornstarch is more readily available, so go ahead and use the same amount in the recipe.
Other ingredients you need are:
- Heavy cream
- Light Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Pure Vanilla extract - I love to use vanilla powder in ice creams because I feel it gives a more intense flavor.
Instructions
Start by making the ice cream base. Combine dried milk powder, sugar and tapioca starch and whisk well to combine in a large saucepan. Add the milk, heavy cream, corn syrup, vanilla and whisk until smooth.
Place the pan on the stove on medium-high heat and cook stirring constantly, until the mixture gets thick.
It should be slightly thicker than heavy cream. It should thinly coat the back of the spoon or spatula, takes about 6~8 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and pour into a heat proof mixing bowl. Stir occasionally to cool the mixture and to prevent a skin from forming.
Once the base has cooled to just slightly warmer than room temperature, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the surface, again to prevent a skin from forming.
Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight, to chill thoroughly.
Freeze the base in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. Transfer the ice cream to a covered container and freeze until ready to serve.
How to make Indian style Kulfi
Now that we know how to make the ice cream, making Indian style kulfi is very easy. Let the ice cream base cool completely. Then pour into kulfi or popsicle molds. Freeze for 4~6 hours to completely set. Enjoy!!
Taste Test
I served the ice cream with a drizzle of store bought caramel sauce. It tasted creamy and amazing. Serve it over some vegan brownies or these fudge brownies for a yummy treat that kids would LOVE.
The base of this sweet milk ice cream lends itself beautifully to many different variations. Add pureed fruit (strawberries) or chopped oreo cookies or mints and enjoy the spectrum of frozen treats.
Tips
- Even though whole milk is recommended, 2% milk will also work. The texture might suffer just a little bit but it will still be delicious.
- Tapioca starch can be subbed with cornstarch. Use the same amount in the recipe as listed.
- Dried milk powder can be substituted with malted milk powder. Reduce the sugar to ¾ cup because malted milk powder has added sweetness.
- The base of this sweet milk ice cream lends itself beautifully to many different variations. Add pureed fruit (strawberries) or chopped oreo cookies or mints and enjoy the spectrum of frozen treats.
- To make Indian style Kulfi, pour the completely cooled ice cream base into kulfi or popsicle molds. Freeze for 4~6 hours to completely set.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker? No worries. The Kitchn posted 7 ways of making ice cream without an appliance. They recommend using a food processor to make the most creamy ice cream. The second best is to use a whip the custard base with a hand mixer in an ice bath.
Few more milk based desserts
Here are a few more milk based recipes that you can make and enjoy:
Sweet Milk Ice cream
Ingredients
- ½ cup Dried Whole Milk powder
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Tapioca Starch
- 3 cups Whole Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoons Corn Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract or vanilla powder
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine dried milk powder, sugar and tapioca starch and whisk well to combine.
- Add milk, heavy cream, corn syrup and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
- Set the pan over medium-high heat and cook stirring constantly, until the mixture gets thick. It should be slightly thicker than heavy cream. It should thinly coat the back of the spoon or spatula, about 6~8 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and pour into a heatproof mixing bowl, stirring occasionally as it cools to prevent a skin from forming.
- Once the base has cooled to just slightly warmer than room temperature, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the surface, again to prevent a skin from forming.
- Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight, to chill thoroughly.
- Freeze the base in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. Transfer the ice cream to a covered container and freeze until ready to serve.
Notes
- Even though whole milk is recommended, 2% milk will also work. The texture might suffer just a little bit but it will still be delicious.
- Tapioca starch can be subbed with cornstarch. Use the same amount in the recipe as listed.
- Dried milk powder can be substituted with malted milk powder. Reduce the sugar to ¾ cup because malted milk powder has added sweetness.
- The base of this sweet milk ice cream lends itself beautifully to many different variations. Add pureed fruit (strawberries) or chopped oreo cookies or mints and enjoy the spectrum of frozen treats.
- To make Indian style Kulfi, pour the completely cooled ice cream base into kulfi or popsicle molds. Freeze for 4~6 hours to completely set.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker? No worries. The Kitchn posted 7 ways of making ice cream without an appliance. They recommend using a food processor to make the most creamy ice cream. The second best is to use a whip the custard base with a hand mixer in an ice bath.
Usha Rao
Ice cream looks creamy and rich. That caramel sauce seems to be so versatile. You have used it for lot of desserts.. 🙂 I like the plate in the last picture.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan
I wish I could get a scoop of it now.. yum and slurp..
alka
lovely recipe Pavani
Sowmya Sundararajan
Bookmarked. I havent used tapioca starch. Totally new to me. Loved all the clicks Pavani
Rafeeda AR
My kids would love this! I guess I can replace tapioca starch with arrowroot powder? Not sure though... must make this for them soon... Thank you for sharing...
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
oooh I wish I had a bowl of this in my freezer right now
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
oooh I wish I had a bowl of this in my freezer right now
Amara Annapaneni
Love the ice cream with the caramel sauce. Sooo tempting.
Suja Ilangovan
Must have been wonderful for the summer. Looks so creamy & smooth, Pavani.
Pavani N
Hi Rafeeda, I'm sure you can substitute arrowroot powder for tapioca starch. Do try and let me know how it turns out.
Priya Suresh
Wish i get few scoops of this icecream, quite a different icecream.Never used tapioca starch in icecream, thats sounds very interesting. Prefect summer dessert.