Dessert · Indian ·

Bengal Sweet Sandesh with Saffron and Pistachios

Name: Bengal Sweet Sandesh with Saffron and Pistachios
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 500g fresh paneer, crumbled; 150g powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon cardamom powder; A pinch of saffron strands, soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk; 30g pistachios, coarsely chopped; Additional saffron strands, for garnish

Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth texture of this traditional Bengali treat, perfect for festive occasions or a delightful finish to any meal.

4.2(453 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 5, 2025

Bengal Sweet Sandesh with Saffron and Pistachios — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

25 min

Cook

1 h 15 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Sandesh Base

For the Topping

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 175 kcal
Protein: 8.83 g
Carbs: 15.92 g
Fat: 8.75 g
Fiber: 0.25 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2095 kcal
Protein: 106 g
Carbs: 191 g
Fat: 105 g
Fiber: 3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g fresh paneer crumbled	1300	100	30	90	0
150g powdered sugar	600	0	150	0	0
1 teaspoon cardamom powder	5	0	1	0	0
A pinch of saffron strands soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk	10	0	1	1	0
30g pistachios coarsely chopped	180	6	9	14	3
Additional saffron strands for garnish	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Paneer

1
Crumble the paneer
Crumble the paneer finely using your hands or a food processor.
2
Combine ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine crumbled paneer, powdered sugar, and cardamom powder.
3
Knead the mixture
Knead the mixture thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
Tip: Avoid over-kneading, as this can cause the texture of the Sandesh to become rubbery.

Flavoring the Sandesh

1
Incorporate saffron milk
Add the saffron milk to the mixture gradually, kneading until evenly incorporated.
Tip: If the mixture feels too dry, add a teaspoon of warm milk to adjust the consistency.
2
Smooth the mixture
Ensure the mixture is smooth with no lumps remaining.
3
Rest the dough
Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

How to Make Bengal Sweet Sandesh with Saffron and Pistachios

Total time: 1 h 40 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Forming the Sandesh
Shape the kneaded mixture into small, flat discs or any desired shape.
2
Steaming the Sandesh
Gently steam the Sandesh on a low flame for about 10-12 minutes.
3
Cooling & Setting
Allow the Sandesh to cool thoroughly until firm.