Strawberry Peda, also called Strawberry Coconut Peda, is a delightful variation of the classic Indian peda that incorporates fresh strawberries for a fruity twist. The result is smooth, slightly chewy and subtly nutty sweets that carry the juicy, fragrant flavor of strawberries—perfect for celebrations or a quick homemade dessert.
This version is excellent for using seasonal strawberries. The fruit adds moisture and a natural sweetness that complements milk powder, almond powder and a touch of ghee. You can make a batch in about 20 minutes of active time, plus some resting time, so it’s ideal when you want a festive sweet without lengthy preparation.
When I first made these, I experimented with the amount of dessicated coconut. A larger amount tended to overpower the strawberry aroma, so I settled on a smaller quantity to maintain balance. Feel free to adjust the coconut to suit your taste—this can also be called Strawberry Coconut Peda if you prefer a noticeable coconut flavor.
If strawberry essence is available where you live, adding 1/2 teaspoon will enhance the aroma and intensify the strawberry note. Otherwise, fresh or frozen strawberries work beautifully.
Strawberry Peda | Strawberry Coconut Peda
Strawberry Peda is an easy, quick Indian dessert that brings a fruity variation to the traditional peda. This recipe combines strawberry compote with milk powder, almond powder and a little rava to form a soft, moldable dough that you shape into small pedas.
Details
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: Indian
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 20 pedas
- Author: Sushma Iyer
Ingredients
For the strawberry compote
- 200 gms strawberries, chopped
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp lemon juice
For the pedas
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1 cup milk powder
- 1/2 cup almond powder
- 2 tbsp roasted rava (semolina)
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut (optional; adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the strawberry compote: In a saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries soften and the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat the ghee: In a separate pan, warm the ghee. When it melts, remove the pan from the heat and pour in the warm milk carefully.
- Mix dry ingredients: Stir in the milk powder, almond powder, roasted rava and desiccated coconut (if using) until combined.
- Cook to thicken: Return the pan to low heat and cook the mixture for about 3 minutes to thicken slightly. Add the sugar and continue cooking another 5–6 minutes until the mixture comes together and resembles a thick dough.
- Add the strawberry compote: Fold in the prepared strawberry compote and mix thoroughly. You may add a drop of natural or food coloring if you want a brighter pink color.
- Cool slightly: Transfer the thickened mixture to a greased plate and let it cool for about 30 minutes so it becomes easier to handle.
- Shape the pedas: Grease your palms with a little ghee and shape the mixture into small rounds. Press lightly in the center and garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds.
- Rest and serve: Allow the pedas to air dry for 1–2 hours to set slightly before serving. Store in an airtight container once fully cooled.
Notes & Tips
- Using warm milk helps the rava absorb moisture faster, speeding up the process. Room-temperature milk will also work but may take a little longer.
- To make almond powder, grind blanched almonds coarsely. You can substitute cashew nut powder if preferred.
- If you don’t have pre-roasted rava, dry roast rava until it turns slightly pink and aromatic before using.
- Adjust the amount of desiccated coconut to suit your preference. Too much coconut can mask the strawberry flavor, so start small and increase if you want a more pronounced coconut taste.
- If you like a stronger strawberry aroma, add up to 1/2 tsp strawberry essence when you fold in the compote.
This Strawberry Peda is a simple, flavorful sweet that works well for festivals, family gatherings or as a seasonal treat. It balances the richness of milk powder and ghee with the fresh brightness of strawberries. Give it a try—it’s a quick, rewarding recipe that brings a fresh twist to a beloved Indian sweet.
Until next time, enjoy making these pedas and sharing them with family and friends.
Hugs
Sushma