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    Home » Cakes

    Published: Mar 4, 2015 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    No-bake Thandai Cheesecake

    Holi (Sanskrit: होली) is a spring festival also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox, on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). 

    The festival date varies every year, per the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in March, sometimes February in the Gregorian Calendar. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships. The day before Holi id generally celebrated with Holika Dahan or burning of the Holi fire and people pray and sing songs around it. 

    For many states in India, the spring festival of Holi is heavily associated with the intoxicating drink called Bhang. However, for people who do not prefer this tipsy drink, there is Thandai or Sardai. Thandai is a cold drink made from milk, sugar and a special mix called as Thandai Masala. The masala is made at home or can be bought from the store. It can be made in bulk and used over time. Instead of using the masala to just make the drink, I decided to go a step further and replace milk with cream cheese and make a no-bake cheesecake with the flavor of Thandai. 


    Ingredients

    For Thandai Powder

    Almonds ½ cup

    Cashew-nut ½ cup

    Pistachios ½ cup

    Khus Khus/ Poppy seeds 2 tbsp

    Fennel seeds/ Saunf 3 tbsp

    Watermelon seeds/Magajtari seeds 2 tbsp

    Pepper 2 tbsp

    Cardamom seeds 3 tbsp

    For Cheesecake

    Graham Crackers 

    Unsalted Butter

    Thandai Masala

    Cream Cheese

    Confectioner' Sugar

    Saffron

    Method

    To make the Thandai Masala

    Mix together all the ingredients and blend to a smooth powder. Store it in airtight container and use as required. 

    To make the Cheesecake

    This Cheesecake is fairly simple to make and the thandai can be substituted with other flavors too!

    I made this cheesecake in the mini form, i.e 5 inch spring-form pan. To make one cheesecake of that size, you need the quantities as mentioned below. You can choose to make more number of mini cheesecakes or make a large one. Just change the quantity to double or triple. Works like magic.

    First, take about 5-6 graham crackers and powder them. I like a thick base of cracker, however; you might choose to reduce it if you like. Melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and mix it with the powdered Graham Crackers. Once blended to a crumbly mixture, spread it evenly at the bottom of the pan. Press with a spoon and set it evenly. keep the pan in the refrigerator till you mix the cheesecake batter.

    Using a hand blender, cream one cup of cream cheese. Add about ½ cup of sugar in it and mix again. You can choose to increase or decrease the sugar content depending on your taste. Next, add 2-3 tablespoon of Thandai Masala and few strands of saffron. Again beat well.

    Remove the pan from the refrigerator and spread the cheese cake batter on it. To get a sharp even edge at the top, use a spoon dipped in hot water and level the top. Transfer the pan back to the refrigerator and chill for about 5-6 hours. For best results chill overnight. Once set, run a wet knife around the edges and then remove the cake from the pan. Top with some thandai masala, strands of saffron and some slivered almonds. Enjoy this cheesecake on the auspicious festival of Holi!  

    Want to try a different flavor? Try this baked Pumpkin Cheesecake too!!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Motions and Emotions says

      March 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      lovely cheese cake with a new flavour

      Reply
      • Smruti Ashar says

        March 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks a lot!! Yes I love the Dry-fruits and spices in this cheesecake.

        Reply
    2. ruchiskitchen.com says

      March 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      Such a brilliant recipe and well explained!

      Reply

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    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

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