If you are searching for a delicious and easy-to-make dessert to add to your collection of Divali sweets, then Gato Dile is the perfect choice. Read on to learn more about this Mauritian Gato Dou. And find out how you can easily make your own at home.
INGREDIENTS
4
RECIPE STEPS
7
TOTAL TIME
3 h 20 m
Why You Need This Recipe
- This recipe is perfect if you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dessert to celebrate Divali, or any other occasion
- This recipe can be prepared in less than 30 minutes and then left to rest on its own making it very low maintenance
- By making Gato Dile at home, you can enjoy a traditional Mauritian dessert in the comfort of your own kitchen and impress your guests with a unique and delicious sweet treat
About Gato Dile
This traditional Mauritian sweet treat is made from only a few simple ingredients that you should already have at home. These ingredients include sweetened condensed milk, milk powder, cardamon powder, and ghee. The end result is a rich, creamy, and fragrant dessert that is sure to please any sweet tooth.
What You Will Need
Square Baking Tray
While it is not a pre-requisite for this recipe, a square baking tray will allow you to make Gato Dile in the traditional shape.
Star Ingredient
Sweetened Condensed Milk (Dile Kondanse)
Accordingly, sweetened condensed milk is a popular ingredient in many desserts in Mauritius, including Gato Dile. Some other examples include Gulab Jamun, Gato Maniok and Alouda.
Condensed milk is a thick, sweet milk product that is made by removing most of the water from whole milk and adding sugar. Consequently, the syrupy canned milk product has a long shelf life thanks to the sugar and it is conveniently used in baking and cooking.
In Mauritius, sweetened condensed milk is a key ingredient in many traditional sweet treats, such as Gulab Jamun which are often enjoyed during religious and cultural celebrations like Divali, Eid and Christmas.
Rich creamy texture
In addition to its delicious flavour, sweetened condensed milk also provides a rich, creamy texture to desserts. It is often used as a substitute for regular milk, cream or sugar, adding sweetness and richness to recipes.
Therefore, it is an extremely versatile ingredient in many dishes. Unsurprisingly, sweetened condensed milk has become a staple in the kitchens of many home cooks and bakers in Mauritius and beyond.
Scroll to the bottom to find the full list of ingredients and detailed recipe.
Prepping Tips
- Line the bottom of the baking tray with baking paper to make it easier to remove the Gato Dile once it has cooled.
- You will know when the Gato Dile is ready to remove from the saucepan when it is lifted easily off the sides of the saucepan.
Complete Recipe Steps
Here’s a summary of the steps you need to follow to make Gato Banann.
1
Melt the ghee in a large saucepan over low heat.
2
Add the sweetened condensed milk to the ghee and mix well.
Scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card
3
Sift the milk powder and the cardamon powder together and stir into the mixture in the saucepan.
4
5
6
7
How to Serve Gato Dile
Gato Dile is best served completely cooled or chilled after slicing into little squares of about 2 to 3 cm wide.
It is an intensely sweet and rich dessert so I personally like to enjoy mine with a strong cup of coffee or tea to help balance the flavours.
Recipe FAQs
Can I add other spices or flavours to Gato Dile?
Yes, you can experiment with the flavour of Gato Dile by adding other spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract. However, the cardamon powder is a key component that gives it the unique, recognisable flavour.
How long will Gato Dile keep in the fridge?
Gato Dile can be stored in the fridge for up to one week in an airtight container.
Can I use unsweetened condensed milk in this recipe?
Yes, you can but you will need to add your own sugar as sweetened condensed milk provides the sweetness and texture to Gato Dile.
If you would like to use unsweetened, condensed milk instead, you have the flexibility to control the amount of sugar that goes into this recipe. For the same level of sweetness as using sweetened condensed milk, you will need 215 grams of sugar. Start with that amount and reduce the amount as needed to suit your tastes.
Printable Recipe Card
While Gato Dile may be a simple dessert, it is packed with flavour and is sure to impress your guests. The combination of sweetened condensed milk and milk powder creates a rich, creamy texture that is perfectly complemented by the warm, spicy flavour of the cardamon.
The addition of ghee gives the dessert a lovely buttery richness that ties everything together. Whether you’re celebrating Divali or just looking for a delicious dessert to enjoy with friends and family, Gato Dile is a must-try.
Gato Dile
Equipment
- 1 baking tray square
- 1 large saucepan
- 1 Silicone spatula
- Baking paper
Ingredients
- 2½ tbsp ghee
- 397 g condensed milk sweetened
- 350 g milk powder
- ½ tsp cardamon ground
Complete Recipe Steps
- Melt the ghee in a large saucepan over low heat.2½ tbsp ghee
- Add the sweetened condensed milk to the ghee and mix well.397 g condensed milk
- Sift the milk powder and the cardamon powder together and stir into the mixture in the saucepan.350 g milk powder, ½ tsp cardamon
- Cook on a low heat for 10 minutes.
- Grease a baking tray and pour in the mixture, smoothing out the surface with a silicone spatula.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely (approximately 3 hours).
- Remove from the baking tray and cut into serving size pieces.
Notes
- For a fun, colourful dessert, garnish your Gato Dile with coloured sesame seeds or alternatively, you can use rainbow sprinkles that are found in the baking section of your local supermarket
