Sugar Free Bhapa Doi Recipe

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Bhapa Doi is a no-bake, no-fuss Indian Cheesecake – a testament to the idea that the best things in life are often the simplest.

Prep Time2

Cook Time20

Chilling Time2

Total Time4 20

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Indian

Calories: 797kcal

Makes: 6inch round

Place the curd in a muslin cloth or a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. Hang it or place it over a bowl to drain the excess whey for at least 1-2 hours. This step is crucial for achieving a firm, creamy consistency.
In a large bowl, whisk the hung curd with date syrup, soaked saffron, and cardamom powder until it’s smooth and lump-free. The mixture should be homogenous and creamy.
Grease a heat proof bowl or individual ramekin cups. Line the bowl with parchment paper. Pour the whisked curd gently into a greased bowl. Tap once or twice on kitchen counter to remove trapped air.
Cover the bowl with aluminum foil to prevent water from dripping into the dessert during steaming.
Bring about 2-3 inches of water to a boil in a large pot or steamer. Place a trivet or a stand inside the pot. Cover and let steam start forming. Carefully place the covered bowl of curd on the trivet. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam on medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes.
The Bhapa Doi is done when it’s set and firm to the touch. You can do a simple test by inserting a toothpick or a knife—it should come out clean. Turn off the heat and let the Bhapa Doi cool down completely at room temperature.
Once cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours. Once chilled, gently unmold the Bhapa Doi onto a serving plate or serve it directly from the ramekins.
Garnish with chopped nuts like pistachios, almonds, rose petals, and a few saffron strands. Serve chilled.

Make sure curd is not sour, thin, or too watery. It should be thick and creamy.
You can use condensed milk, liquid jaggery, or caramel also. In the traditional bhapa doi recipe, either homemade caramel or condensed milk is used.
If you’re using thick Greek yogurt, you can skip this step of draining and hanging.
Using an Instant Pot: Follow the pressure cooker method using the “Steam” function for about 15-20 minutes, with the vent in the “Sealing” position.