Super Simple Besan Barfi Recipe

Gram flour or besan is a popular ingredient in Indian cooking. While it might come as a surprise to many, it is not just used as a flour for savory dishes like Besan dhokla but is also an important ingredient used in sweets. Besan ke ladoo, besan ka halwa, Mysore pak and besan barfi are common examples of sweets made out of besan or gram flour. Besan barfi consists of gram flour, semolina, cardamom and nuts and has a flaky, melt in your mouth texture. While it is easily available in Indian sweet shops, there is nothing like fresh homemade besan barfi that you can easily make with this besan barfi recipe.

Besan barfi is a popular sweet in India and the Indian subcontinent. It has almost the same ingredients as that of besan ladoo but the cooking technique, texture and taste is very different. Besan barfi is a common sweet during the festive season like Holi, Eid and Diwali etc. It is an essential part of traditional Indian sweet platters and makes an excellent sweet for tea time. While the recipe is not very difficult, it still requires a lot of attention to achieve perfection. It is very important to balance and adjust the flame and stir it constantly as you make this sweet. For beginners, this can sound a bit intimidating but you can easily learn all the tricks of the trade with this besan barfi recipe with step by step photos.
Ingredients For Besan Barfi Recipe

Besan (Chickpea Flour)
Besan is the main ingredient in the Besan Barfi recipe. It adds a nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture to the dish. It also contributes to the dense and fudgy texture of the Barfi.
Ghee
Ghee is a type of clarified butter which is common in Indian cooking. It adds a rich and buttery flavor to the Barfi and helps to bind the ingredients together. The use of ghee also contributes to the smooth and creamy texture of the Barfi.
Semolina
Semolina or Sooji adds a slightly grainy texture to the Besan Barfi. It also helps to thicken the mixture and gives it a more cohesive texture.
Cardamom Powder
Cardamom powder adds a unique and aromatic flavor to the Barfi. It also helps to balance out the sweetness of the sugar and gives the Barfi a pleasant aroma.
Sugar
Sugar is the main sweetener in the recipe. It contributes to the overall sweetness of the Besan Barfi and helps to balance out the other flavors.
Dry Fruit
Dry fruits such as almonds or pistachios help garnish the Besan Barfi. They add a crunchy texture to the Barfi and also contribute to the overall flavor and aroma of the dish.
Step by Step Instructions For Besan Barfi Recipe
To begin, grease a square or rectangular pan with ghee and set it aside.

Next, in a large pan or kadai, add 1.5 cups of besan and 1/2 cup of ghee.

On low heat, start roasting the mixture, continuously stirring, until the besan and ghee are well combined.

Then, add 1/2 cup of semolina and mix well. Slightly press and mix the mixture until everything is well combined.

Continue cooking the mixture on low heat until it turns golden brown. Make sure to stir constantly to prevent burning.

After that, add 1/2 tsp of cardamom powder and 3/4 cup of ground sugar to the mixture.

Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture melts and starts flowing across the pan.

Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture to the greased pan.

Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread and flatten the mixture evenly in the pan. Additionally, garnish the top of the mixture with your choice of dry fruits.

Allow the mixture to cool and set for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the mixture has set, use a sharp knife to cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.

Finally, your Besan Barfi is ready to serve! Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Serving Suggestions

Besan Barfi is a traditional Indian dessert that is versatile and can be served in many ways. It is a perfect sweet treat to enjoy after a meal or as a snack with a cup of chai tea. For a more elegant presentation, you can place the bite-sized pieces of Barfi on a platter or in a decorative box to display as a dessert along with other sweets like coconut barfi and coconut gujiya etc. Moreover, garnishing the Barfi with chopped pistachios, almonds, or any other dry fruits of your choice can add an extra crunch and flavor to the dish. Additionally, to enhance the presentation, sprinkle some edible gold or silver foil on top before serving. Besan Barfi also makes a great gift for family and friends. Pack the pieces in a decorative box or wrap them in colorful paper and ribbon to make it more presentable.
Storage Suggestions
Storing Besan Barfi is an essential step to ensure that it remains fresh and delicious for as long as possible. First, allow the Barfi to cool down completely at room temperature before storing it. Then, place the Barfi pieces in an airtight container that is clean and dry. Afterward, store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. To maintain the freshness of the Barfi, it is best to store it at room temperature for up to a week. After a week, the Barfi may start to lose its flavor and texture. If you need to store it for longer, you can keep the Barfi in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Finally, to store it for an extended period, freeze the Barfi in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
FAQs
You can enjoy Besan Barfi as an occasional treat, but it is high in calories and sugar, so you should consume in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Besan sweet, also known as Besan Barfi, is made with besan (chickpea flour), ghee, semolina, cardamom powder, sugar, and garnished with dry fruits.
Besan Barfi is a traditional sweet from India, and it is common during festivals and special occasions.
Besan is the Hindi word for gram flour, which is a type of flour made from ground chickpeas. It is also called besan barfi (burr-fee) in English.
Besan can be heavy to digest for some people, especially if they have digestive issues or if they do not consume it regularly in routine.
People with allergies to chickpeas or legumes should avoid consuming besan. Additionally, people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should ensure that the besan they consume is certified gluten-free and that semolina was not used in the cooking process.
Besan has a low glycemic index, meaning that it does not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. However, consuming large quantities of Besan Barfi, which is high in sugar, can contribute to an increase in blood sugar levels.

Hi! I’m Ravi Kumar.
I am a husband, father of 4, board certified neurosurgeon, and a lover of South Indian Food!
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