Grease a rectangular 9 x 6 inch (23 x 15 cm) non-stick baking tray.
Allow a medium saucepan to heat on medium to low heat, then add the butter and ½ cup of milk. Stir until the butter has melted.
3 tbsp butter, ½ cup milk
Next, add the milk powder to the saucepan. I like to add ⅓ of the milk powder at a time while stirring constantly so the mixture doesn’t clump together at the bottom of the saucepan.
3 cups milk powder
Once the mixture is evenly combined, gradually add in the powdered sugar. Continue stirring to incorporate all the ingredients together. You should get a thick paste.
1½ cups sugar
If your mixture still contains any dry powder, you can add in an extra three tablespoons of milk. The extra liquid should help to dissolve any stubborn dry powder. Depending on the humidity of your kitchen, you might need more milk for all the dry powder to dissolve. Slowly add one extra tablespoon of milk at a time until you get the thick paste.
Cook the mixture for a further 8-9 minutes, ensuring you are stirring constantly. You will know the mixture is ready when it easily leaves the surface of the pan. Your mixture should have the consistency of a dough.
Turn off the heat and add the vanilla extract, cardamon, and a tablespoon of pistachios. Mix well.
Transfer the Barfi mixture to the greased baking tray, using your silicone spatula to pack and smooth out the surface. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of pistachios on top of the barfi. Optionally garnish with saffron, rose buds and silver leaf.
saffron, silver leaf, rose buds
Notes
You can make this recipe ahead of time. The finished Barfi can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to seven days.
Adjust the amount of milk that is added to the barfi mixture during cooking depending on how well the dry powder is dissolving. You want all the dry powder to be mixed evenly into the milk. But if you add too much milk, it will take longer to cook to a dough consistency.
Saffron, rose buds and silver leaf can be added as toppings to elevate your Barfi for a party.