Skip to content
Forkin
Dessert

Mishti Doi

Mishti Doi is a traditional Bengali sweet yogurt, known for its rich, creamy texture and subtle caramel flavor. Made by reducing milk and fermenting it with yogurt culture, it's a delightful and refreshing dessert. This recipe creates a naturally sweetened and thick yogurt.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
9 hr 15 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium
Per serving
208 kcal
VegetarianGluten-free

Allergen information: may contain milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Mishti Doi

Mise en place

Ingredients

  • 1,000 mlwhole milk
  • 50 gsugar
  • 2 tbspplain yogurt, at room temperature
  • 0.25 tspcardamom powder(optional)

Equipment

serving bowls · spoon · heavy-bottomed pot

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    Pour the whole milk into a heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan.

    About 1 min

    Cook’s note: Using a heavy-bottomed pot prevents the milk from scorching easily.

  2. 2

    Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

    About 10 min

  3. 3

    Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the milk has reduced to about half its original volume and thickened.

    About 45 min

    Cook’s note: This reduction process concentrates the milk's flavor and sweetness, and gives the mishti doi its characteristic texture. Scrape down the sides of the pot often to incorporate any milk solids.

  4. 4

    Add the sugar to the reduced milk and stir until it dissolves completely.

    About 2 min

  5. 5

    If using, stir in the cardamom powder.

  6. 6

    Remove the pot from the heat and let the milk cool down to a warm temperature, about 40-45°C (104-113°F). It should be warm to the touch but not hot.

    About 10 min

    Cook’s note: If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yogurt cultures. If it's too cold, the yogurt won't set well.

  7. 7

    Add the plain yogurt to the warm milk and mix gently until well combined. Do not overmix.

    About 1 min

    Cook’s note: Ensure the yogurt starter is at room temperature for best results.

  8. 8

    Pour the mixture into individual serving bowls or a larger ceramic/earthenware pot.

    About 1 min

    Cook’s note: Traditional mishti doi is often set in earthenware pots, which helps in absorption of excess moisture.

  9. 9

    Cover the bowls loosely with a lid or plastic wrap and place them in a warm spot, undisturbed, for 6-8 hours or overnight, until the yogurt sets and becomes firm.

    About 8 hr

    Cook’s note: A good warm spot could be inside a turned-off oven with the light on, or wrapped in a towel.

  10. 10

    Once set, refrigerate the mishti doi for at least 2-3 hours before serving to chill thoroughly.

Per serving

Nutrition

74%Score
Calories
207.5kcal
Protein
8.3g
Carbs
24.7g
Fat
8.5g
Fibre
0g
Sugar
24.6g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover mishti doi in an airtight container in the refrigerator.