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Kulfi is a dense unwhipped ice cream from the Indian subcontinent. The age old way of making kulfi involved slow cooking whole milk till it reduced to half and very thick consistency, then freezing it in molds kept in a mixture of ice and salt in an earthenware(matka) for the soft frozen texture. No Ice-maker needed.
These Pista Kulfi popsicles are easily made vegan with nondairy milk and cream made of nuts like pistachios or cashews. Add flavors like cardamom or saffron.
Pistachio Almond Cardamom Popsicle - Pista Kulfi - vegan glutenfree

Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons raw Pistachios
- 1 Tablespoon raw almonds
- 1/2 cup almond milk or other non dairy milk , or make your own nut milk
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch or any thickening starch, or 1 Tablespoon ground cashew
- 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
- a pinch of saffron, optional
- 2-4 Tablespoons raw sugar, powdered ( to taste)
For variations: Add a pinch of black pepper, or a Tablespoons of chopped dark chocolate, or a Tablespoon of ginger snap crumbs/crystallized ginger.
Instructions
- Grind the Pistachios and then the almonds into as fine a powder as possible.(some of it may become buttery, which is fine), or use pistachio or almond butter,
- In a blender, add the ground Pistachios and almonds, cornstarch, raw sugar, spices and Almond milk. Blend well until the mixture is well combined.
- Transfer mix to a pan and bring to just about a boil on low-medium heat, stirring almost constantly.
- Or microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for 30 seconds again(it should bubble slightly).
- The mixture will thicken at just about the boiling stage. Add a few tsp more nut flour(pistachio/almond or cashew) if you like it the kulfi mix to be really thick. If adding cashew flour, then bring to a boil.
- Take off heat. Let cool a bit. Taste and adjust sugar.
- Add in the cardamom, pepper/candied ginger is using, mix , then transfer to Popsicle, Kulfi, or ice cream molds or ramekins.
- Cover the open molds/ramekins with aluminium foil and let freeze overnight.
- Let the popsicles or molds sit out or dip in warm-hot water to take the frozen ice cream out.
- Serve as is, or in a parfait with fresh mango, pistachio, and ginger snap crumbs.
- Or drizzle some salted caramel or peppered sugar syrup.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
















yum that looks SO good! and what an interesting combo of flavors! i’ll definitely join in on the ‘hop’ 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Thanks caralyn, i am waiting to see your creation!
It’s been a rough few weeks on my end, too, so I understand and am sending you thoughts of jazziness and relaxation in the near future! Gorgeous recipe; I adore all things pistachio and cardamom 🙂
ahh.. thanks Hannah! i need that relaxation.
this looks wonderful lovely picture
Richa, these are some of the most gorgeous ice cream pics I’ve ever seen! I mean, they are just stunning! I have never had kulfi before so I can’t wait to give this a shot! Thank you!
thanks Kristy. Its a very nutty icecream:) let me know when you do!
What an intriguing flavor combination–I’ll have to give this a try sometime! And I love that it doesn’t require an ice cream maker! 🙂
yes, no ice cream maker needed!:) let me know when you do try!
Wow! I love all of these ingredients on their own, but together in kulfi? DROOL. This is perfect for summer!
I’m about ready to take down my Facebook page. When I changed the name of my blog, they wouldn’t let me change the name of my page (they told me it would confuse people–um, isn’t it more confusing to have a name that doesn’t match my blog?!). And now they want us to pay to have people to view what we post. Pfft. I gave up using my personal account, and my blog’s page might be next!
Thanks Kiersten! that is ridiculous. i tell ya.. fb thinks they know everything about us.. which is scary:) I would have done something similar but i have so many other activities there, connecting with so many rescues and charities and shelter animals. i will live with it till i cant take it anymore:)
OMG, vegan pistachio cardamom kulfi? You’ve just made my ice cream dreams come true! Thank you, Richa! xoxo
What an awesome treat Richa……Love it / will try it soon.
Thanks Alpana! Let me know when you do!:)
What a great combination of flavours!
That sucks about Facebook…I don’t use it too often, but I hate that the bigger they get, the more adds and crap I see. I mean I guess it’s inevitable but still. No fair! I want to use it to keep in touch with friends and family sot be bombarded with stuff I didn’t ask to see- there’s a lot of other websites I can go to for that!
Also, sorry to hear you are in a funk! I am sending you love and hugs! If I could send you food I would, but I doubt it’d make the trip!
Oh, I got the cookbook from your auction! Love it 🙂 Will be so handy, especially when I start school again.
Thanks Gabby! thank you for the virtual hugs and food 😉
I just got Kathys book to review too! Lets compare notes:) Have a fun weekend!
arre.. when did you post this beautiful kulfi… am i the first person to comment.
i love kulfis and have been toying with the idea of making a vegan kulfi. but i think won’t happen as the rains might come here any time…
i know what facebook has done and it is all about money. the hubby always tells me not to use this social networking sites like fb and twitter for traffic.
learn SEO or its basics and get the traffic from google and other search engines. i have learnt a good lesson from fb.
my posts are not reaching people at all… also i don’t know how to make it reach to many people… it is ridiculous paying 5 or 10 dollars everytime for each post to go to maximum people…
thanks Dassana:) just posted it around 11:30.
I know i need to focus more on seo too.. but you know what. with all the G+ shenanigans and bing integrating with fb, we cannot get rid of social media.. its here to stay for a while before something else comes along.
Ma told me its 49 degrees C in Nagpur, so i think you ccan still make kulfis till you get hit by the rain:)
it is hot here. still goa is better. it is 33 degrees here. the ocean makes it very windy also. i will make the kulfi soon till we get rains.
i know we cannot get rid of social media. but they way they keep on changing their policies…
i will have to dig deeper in this facebook thing… will share with you if i find something 🙂