Sandesh is a delicious Bengali milk sweet popular all over India. Sandesh also known as Bengali Sondesh is milk cheese based rich sweet made using milk, sugar, nuts, cardamom powder and saffron. Sandesh is most commonly made for festivals and special occasions.

Sandesh sweet can be made for special occasions, festivals like Navratri, Diwali and Durga Pooja. It is made with just simple ingredients from your kitchen and can be made easily within just few minutes of time. Even beginners can try this simple, quick and easy sweet.
Jump to:
About Sandesh
Sandesh is a popular Bengali sweet made by first curdling milk to form chenna then mixing it with sugar and cooking until soft, non sticky, then shaping into small discs and garnishing with nuts.
There are many variations to sandesh including many flavours but the one I have shared here is the traditional one. The colour and taste of sandesh veries depending on the flavours we add.
This is the easiest sweet I have made, just few minutes and you are done with this yummy milk sweet. To make the best tasting sandesh, chenna should be prepared fresh and using store bought paneer may change the taste of sandesh.
The garnishings are end less you can add chocolte chips or nuts or dry fruits of your choice. Sandesh tastes incredibly delicious making it one of the popular sweets in Bengal.
Similar Recipes

Sandesh Video
Sandesh Ingredients
- Milk - Use full cream milk either farm fresh or packed milk.
- Vinegar - You can use vinegar or lemon juice to curdle milk.
- Sugar - Grind sugar to a fine powder then use it.
- Nuts - I have used chopped pistachios for garnish. You can even use almonds, cashews etc.
- Saffron - Saffron adds a rich flavour and mild colour to this sweet.
- Cardamom powder - This is one of the main flavourings for sandesh.

How to make Sandesh Step by Step
1.To a sauce pan add 1 liter milk. Stir and boil for a minute. Switch off and let it rest for 2-3 minutes.

2.To a small bowl add 2 tablespoon vinegar, 2 tablespoon water, mix it well and set aside.

3.Now add vinegar water solution little by little and stir gently. Now the flame is off, this helps to slowly curdle milk and the resulting chenna is so soft.

4.Now whey water(green liquid) and chenna(white solid) separates.

5.Now it is curdled completely. Switch off.

6.Transfer this to a cloth placed on a strainer. Keep a bowl underneath to collect the whey water. You can use this whey water for kneading chapathi dough or for curdling milk again.

7.Rinse it with water well.

8.Squeeze excess water.

9.Roll and place it on the strainer. Keep 2 bowls on it. Do not keep heavy weight. Set aside for 30 minutes.

10.Now open, moisture should be still there slightly, it should not be dry.

11.Transfer it to a plate.

12.Knead it well using your palm like shown. Knead until the texture changes smooth and soft.

13.Add ⅓ cup powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder and 5 strands saffron.

14.Mix well and gather to form a dough like this.

14.Keep a pan in low flame and add it to the pan.

15.Keep cooking in low flame.

16.Cook for 3-5 minutes not more than that. If you cook longer it may become hard and will crumble. Switch off and remove from flame.

17.Transfer to a plate. Pinch a small portion.

18. Make small balls, flatten it slightly.

19.Garnish with chopped pistachio and saffron strands.

Sandesh is ready!

Expert Tips
- Vinegar solution - Vinegar when mixed with water is more concentrated and makes chenna soft.
- Preparing chenna - Boil milk give a quick stir and switch off, let it rest for few minutes before adding vinegar solution. Add vinegar, water mixture little by little and stir gently.
- Kneading - I usually knead for at least 7-10 minutes till it becomes smooth and soft. Make sure you do not over knead then fat will get released.
- Cooking - Cook the mixture in lowest flame and cook not more than 5 minutes.
- Flavours - You can add cocoa powder to make chocolate sandesh, rose essence to make rose sandesh. Like wise you can make so many variations like orange sandesh, pista sandesh etc.
Serving and Storage
Sandesh is served as a sweet snack with other sweet varieties we make foe the festival. It can be stored in fridge for 3-5 days.
FAQS
1.What type of milk should I use?
Use full cream milk for best taste and volume. Avoid low fat or toned or skimmed milk.
2.While cooking it became crumbly, how to fix it?
Do no worry if happens when you over cook the mixture. Cool down the mixture then add to mixer and blend until smooth. Now transfer to a plate and shape it, sandesh is ready.
3.Can I add brown sugar or jaggery?
Yes you can use brown sugar or jaggery but make sure it is in powdered form and is free from impurities.

If you have any more questions about this Sandesh Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Sandesh Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
Sandesh Recipe | Bengali Sondesh Recipe
Ingredients
To curdle milk
- 1 litre milk
- 2 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoon water
To make sandesh
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 5 strands saffron
Instructions
- To a sauce pan add 1 liter milk. Stir and boil for a minute. Switch off and let it rest for 2-3 minutes.
- To a small bowl add 2 tablespoon vinegar, 2 tablespoon water, mix it well and set aside.
- Now add vinegar water solution little by little and stir gently. Now the flame is off, this helps to slowly curdle milk and the chenna is so soft.
- Now whey water(green liquid) and chenna(white solid) separates.
- Now it is curdled completely. Switch off.
- Transfer this to a cloth placed on a strainer. Keep a bowl underneath to collect the whey water. You can use this for kneading chapathi dough or for curdling milk again.
- Rinse it with water well.
- Squeeze excess water.
- Roll and place it on the strainer. Keep 2 bowls on it. Do not keep heavy weight. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Now open, moisture should be there, it should not be dry.
- Transfer the prepared chenna to a wide plate.
- Knead it well using your palm like shown. Knead until the texture changes smooth and soft.
- Add ⅓ cup powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder and 5 strands saffron.
- Mix well and gather to form a dough like this.
- Keep a pan in low flame and add it to the pan.
- Keep cooking in low flame.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes not more than that. If you cook longer it may become hard and will crumble. Switch off and remove from flame.
- Transfer to a plate. Pinch a small portion.
- Make small balls, flatten it slightly.
- Garnish with chopped pistachio and saffron strands.
- Sandesh is ready!
Video
Notes
- Vinegar solution - Vinegar when mixed with water is more concentrated and makes chenna soft.
- Preparing chenna - Boil milk give a quick stir and switch off, let it rest for few minutes before adding vinegar solution. Add vinegar, water mixture little by little and stir gently.
- Kneading - I usually knead for at least 7-10 minutes till it becomes smooth and soft. Make sure you do not over knead then fat will get released.
- Cooking - Cook the mixture in lowest flame and cook not more than 5 minutes.
- Flavours - You can add cocoa powder to make chocolate sandesh, rose essence to make rose sandesh. Like wise you can make so many variations like orange sandesh, pista sandesh etc.







Kalpana Sareesh
Happy Deepavali Sharmi to u n to ur family!!! this is such an yumm sweet .. too good..
Suma Gandlur
Droolworthy sandesh. I too was planning to make some for this diwali.:)
Sunshine And Smile
I love sondesh and now I too want to make it again. Very nicely presented!
San
Mouthwatering sandesh sharmi, presentation is mind blowing.
sangee vijay
Sandesh looks so delicious and such a yummy sweet...superb presentation...Happy Diwali!!!
Suja
Mouthwatering here,delicious and tempting sweet
Kitchen Flavours
Love this simple and gratifying recipe of Sandesh....Sandesh look very yum.....
Kurryleaves
happy diwali to you ...awesome clicks dear...love the second one
Sobha Shyam
wow, they look yum yum..Happy Diwali dear..
divya
Mouthwatering sandesh sharmi, presentation is mind blowing.....Happy Diwali...
Nalini's Kitchen
Happy diwali to you,sandesh looks so tempting.
Gayathri NG
well prepared for diwali. Sandesh looks gorgeous n fabulous... Wish u n ur family a happy diwali...:)
Kalyani's Platter
Happy diwali ... Wow looks yummy and delicious ....
Nags
this is easily one of my fave sweets 🙂 have a good deepavali sharmi 🙂
Hyma
Happy Diwali Sharmi! Amazing recipe..am so going to try it today and post the recipe tomm:-))) thx for this super quick recipe!
Nithya
Looks stunning 🙂 Perfect or rather looks better than the shop ones. Amazing recipes this season 🙂 Lend me some energy to work like you 🙂 You rock 🙂
Kadhyaa
They look beautiful and nice click..wish you and your family a happy and prosperous deepavali..
nithya
Easy and quick recipe. I will try it. Shall i replace store bought paneer(milky mist) instead of home made?
"Wish you a very Happy Diwali", (i have mailed you my kaju picture).
Sharmilee! :)
@Nithya : You can but the texture and taste with homemade fresh paneer is good compared to shop ones.
Cham
Anything with milk I am ready at anytime, like ur presentation, Happy Deepavali to u and ur family!
Priya
Super delicious and cute looking sandesh,happy diwali wishes sharmi..
Anna
Thanks Sharmi...the recipe looks a breeze..its for sure a Diwali treat from you..for all your efforts to share your gooodie secrets, with us...Here's wishing you Happy Diwali, a very beautiful one with your loved ones...!
Navya
Hi, it looks awesome.. I wanted to know if I can prepare this with store bought paneer slabs?
Gayathri Kumar
Awesome snaps. Sandesh looks so inviting...
Rinku Naveen
Wow! Mouthwatering sweet. Superb clicks Sharmi!
Happy Diwali!
Prathibha
Nicely done sandesh and beautifully presented..loved it
Nisa Homey
you are making me drool here...happy diwali.
Prathima Rao
These are gorgeous, perfect sandesh!!! Happy & prosperous diwali Sharmi!!!!
Tina
beautiful clicks as usual dear...sandesh looks yummy nd so cute..happy diwali..
Jeannie
Looks delicious and so easy to make, would love to try one day:) Happy Diwali to you and family!
Vanamala Hebbar
very nice sweet..happy diwali
Ramya
Hi Sharmi, Firstly am head over heels over the cute little pedas:-) Awesome clicks!!
Secondly:I tried it today and came out perfect!! Thank u...I have put the clicks in my blog:-)
Happy Diwali to you and family:-)
Zareena
Hey Sharmi, amazing snaps dear. A nice way to celebrate diwali. Lovely and tempting too.
Babli
Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous Diwali.
Sandesh looks delicious, yummy and tempting.
Cook@Vatsalas
Have a fun filled Diwali. awesome presentation.
priya ravi
Happy diwali to u and ur family.. wonderful presentation.. love this sweet
TheYummyMorsel
Wish you a very happy Diwali :-). Very beautfully presention and so cute.
Pavithra
Perfect looking Sandesh, Happy Diwali to u and family dear. I had blast seeing all ur sweets sharmi...since I am commited with so many works this year 🙂
Swathi
Sandesh looks delicious. Wish you and family a happy and prosperous Diwali.
Kavita Kalra
These looks so delicious! Question--how many balls can you make using one liter of milk?
Sharmilee! :)
@Kavita: It will yield around 15-18 small balls.
Srimathi
Very well documented post. The photos look amazing and the sandesh looks delicious.
Sanchitha
Thanks for the recipe. pictures are great! Was infact looking for some Sandesh recipe. This seems perfect!
Hasna
wow... easy & yummm !!! nice pic too.... ll defenitely try it
Saraben
Just made it. didn't rinse to get rid of the sourness since i like its little bit sour. I put the saffron strands from the beginning and at the end added a little bit of cardamom powder. It came out just great.
Just for your information, I make pedhas for a long time out of milk powder, sour cream and etc. but was very lazy to make it from paneer. Therefore, I think you are a wizard otherwise i cannot understand how I started making so many things since my daughter found your blog. I sent the link of your blog to my non-Indian friends and you won't believe but even they started making varieties for the weekends. Now you can believe me that you are A WIZARD!!!!!!
Awaiting for the next posts.
Saraben
I think next time I am going to use the Ricotta Cheese with a cup of sour double cream instead of paneer and that's just because I, live out of India, is just lazy and lazy.
Unknown
excellent description/photos
4N GIRL
Looks yummy! Can you add mango puree to this to add flavor?
dhivya
They just look amazing:) Love ur site... 🙂
Dpka
hi sharmi..can we use store bought paneer to make this receipe..plz reply asap!!!
SHARMILEE J
Yes you can use
Dpka
thanks much!! 🙂
FloristinUSA
hi
i made this today n dont know wer i went wrong , its not sweet n raw in taste ,pls tel me wat can i do ?
SHARMILEE J
You should cook the paneer well to get rid of the raw taste........