Thandai Baked Yogurt

My obsession with thandai masala mix continues. On the heels of my love letter to the no-churn thandai ice cream, I’ve now made thandai baked yogurt. 

There’s an Italian dish called saltimbocca, which literally translates into ‘leaps into the mouth.’ The first taste of the velvety thandai baked yogurt is like that.

The nutty notes, the delicate aromas, and the hidden traces of thandai powder leap into your mouth as you sample it.

What is thandai?

Thandai is a milk-based beverage, made during Holi. It’s exceedingly nutritious and wonderfully cooling – a perfect drink when the sun is trying to bake us into a crisp.

It’s prepared by grinding a profusion of spices, nuts, and seeds into a fine powder and then blended with milk. Besides the drink, you can add the thandai masala mix to any number of dishes.

I’ve tried it in popsicles, cookies, ice cream, and more to my family’s great appreciation. The baked yogurt is just one more delicious and lush addition to the list. 

How to make thandai baked yogurt?

The recipe is shamefully simple and needs just three ingredients that are right there in your pantry. You whisk, you bake, and you chill. That’s it.

• Start by combining yogurt, thandai powder, and condensed milk with a whisk. 
• Pour the smooth mixture into ramekins. 
• Place the ramekins in a deep tray.
• Fill it with hot water a quarter of the way. 
• Cover the entire thing with a loose foil and then bake for 15 minutes. 

Is the water-bath necessary for baking?

Yes, it is. 

Making thandai baked yogurt is not rocket science. Rather, I think it is one of my easiest recipes as long as you don’t over bake it. 

The water bath gentles the baking process and makes sure that you get a thick, creamy, and luscious dessert. 

Serving the thandai baked yogurt

After 15 minutes, the tops are set and have a slight jiggle and wobble. 

• Switch off the heat, remove the foil, and crank open the oven door. 
• Leave the ramekins in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes. 
• Then set them to chill for a couple of hours. 

You can serve the thandai baked yogurt as-is. It’s the quintessential summer dessert, plush yet light and thoroughly refreshing.

I choose to top off the yogurt with shards of burnt sugar and rose petals because I wanted to experiment with it.

What is burnt sugar?

Burnt sugar is melting granulated sugar on low heat till it is a deep, beautiful amber. The moniker, I feel, is somewhat misleading. We aren’t actually burning sugar. We’re just heating it beyond the caramelization point. 

Once the sugar reaches the brown hue, you take it off the heat, pour it on the silicone sheet or parchment paper, and sprinkle some rose petals. Let the syrup cool. It hardens as it cools. Once set, use them to garnish the baked yogurt. 

Quick note:

Hot sugar burns. Really burns. So please be extremely careful while handling it. Do not touch the syrup until it has cooled down. 

Variations of the thandai baked yogurt recipe

The caramelized sugar lends a bitter-sweetness to the baked yogurt. And the crunch provides a textural contrast to the soft creamy base. 

But it is just one option for garnishing. You can try:

• A fruit compote like I did with my saffron cardamom baked yogurt. 
• A few slivers of pistachios or any other nuts. 
• Slices of fresh fruits.
• Edible flowers.

How to make vegan thandai baked yogurt?

Switch to plant-based yogurt and condensed milk.

Can you use store-bought thandai mix?

I prefer homemade thandai mix because, truthfully, there is no comparison. The flavor is enormously more delicious. It is a 5-minute job to make it and keeps well in the refrigerator. 

But if you choose to buy the thandai powder, please source the best quality you can. When you’re working with such few ingredients, quality makes all the difference. Try local thandai powder mix by small businesses rather than the commercial boxes.  

Of all the recipes for Holi I’m trying, the thandai baked yogurt takes the cake and the bakery. The creamy ivory-white dessert fills the home with delightful fragrances, is just the right amount of sweet, and exquisitely textured with specks of thandai powder!

If you make this thandai baked yogurt, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love getting to connect with you guys. You can also follow me on Instagram & Pinterest for more fabulous recipes.

📖 Recipe