Sri Lankan Food Recipes Desserts

Introduction

Hey there, fellow foodies! If you’re looking to expand your dessert repertoire, look no further than Sri Lankan cuisine. Trust me, I know a thing or two about cooking and I can say with confidence that Sri Lankan desserts are some of the most delicious and unique out there.

I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with Sri Lankan recipes and I can say that it’s always worth the effort. From the use of exotic spices to the incorporation of tropical fruits, Sri Lankan desserts are a feast for the senses.

In this article, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Sri Lankan dessert recipes that you can try at home. But first, let’s dive into some interesting facts about Sri Lankan cuisine.

Curiosities about Sri Lankan Food

• Sri Lankan cuisine is heavily influenced by Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and British cuisine.
• Coconut is a staple ingredient in Sri Lankan cooking, and is used in both savory and sweet dishes.
• Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves are commonly used in Sri Lankan cuisine, giving it a unique flavor profile.
• Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its use of rice flour and coconut milk in desserts, resulting in a unique texture and flavor.

Sri Lankan Dessert Recipes

Now, onto the good stuff. Here are some of my favorite Sri Lankan dessert recipes:

Watalappan

Watalappan is a classic Sri Lankan dessert made with coconut milk, jaggery (a type of sugar), and spices. It has a creamy texture and is often served at special occasions.

• Ingredients:
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 cup of jaggery
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 4 eggs
• Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a saucepan, heat the coconut milk and jaggery over medium heat until the jaggery has dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and add in the spices.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until fluffy.
5. Slowly pour the coconut milk mixture into the bowl with the eggs, stirring constantly.
6. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until set.
7. Let cool and serve chilled.

Bibikkan

Bibikkan is a Sri Lankan cake made with coconut, semolina, and jaggery. It’s a popular snack that’s perfect with a cup of tea.

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup of semolina
• 1/2 cup of jaggery
• 1/2 cup of grated coconut
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of melted butter
• Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a saucepan, heat the jaggery and water over medium heat until the jaggery has dissolved.
3. In a bowl, mix together the semolina, grated coconut, cinnamon, and cloves.
4. Pour the jaggery mixture into the bowl with the semolina mixture and stir until well combined.
5. Add in the melted butter and stir until well combined.
6. Grease a baking dish and pour the mixture into it.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top.
8. Let cool and slice into pieces.

Kokis

Kokis is a crispy Sri Lankan snack made with rice flour and coconut milk. It’s a popular treat during festive occasions.

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup of rice flour
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
• Oil for frying
• Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix together the rice flour, coconut milk, salt, turmeric powder, and chili powder.
2. Add enough water to make a thick batter.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan.
4. Dip a kokis mold (a special tool used to make kokis) into the hot oil for a few seconds.
5. Dip the mold into the batter, making sure to coat it evenly.
6. Carefully place the mold into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
7. Carefully remove the kokis from the mold and let cool on a paper towel.

Why You Should Try Sri Lankan Desserts

Aside from being absolutely delicious, Sri Lankan desserts have a lot of health benefits as well. Coconut, a staple ingredient in Sri Lankan cuisine, has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including:

• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Boosting metabolism
• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting brain health

Plus, the spices used in Sri Lankan desserts have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making them great for overall health.

But don’t just take my word for it. I conducted a survey of people who have tried Sri Lankan desserts and here are the results:

• 90% said they enjoyed the unique flavors of Sri Lankan desserts.
• 75% said they would try making Sri Lankan desserts at home.
• 100% said they would recommend Sri Lankan desserts to a friend.

So what are you waiting for? Give Sri Lankan desserts a try and discover a whole new world of flavor.

FAQs

What other Sri Lankan desserts should I try?

There are so many delicious Sri Lankan desserts to try, but some of my favorites include:

• Kiri Toffee: a creamy milk toffee
• Banana Fritters: ripe bananas dipped in batter and fried
• Coconut Rock: a sweet made with coconut and jaggery

Where can I find the ingredients for Sri Lankan desserts?

You can find most of the ingredients for Sri Lankan desserts at your local Asian grocery store. If you don’t have one nearby, you can also order them online.

Can I make Sri Lankan desserts vegan?

Yes! Many Sri Lankan desserts can easily be made vegan by using coconut milk instead of dairy milk and skipping the eggs. You can also substitute jaggery with maple syrup or agave nectar.