Sri Lankan Watalappam (Easy Method)

This is an easy method to prepare watalappam, a Sri Lankan steamed cardamom-coconut custard sweetened with kithul jaggery.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 390 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 large eggs
• 14 ounces jaggery (Kithul Jaggery)
• ½ cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
• ¾ cup lukewarm water
• ½ teaspoon cardamom seeds, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped cashews, for garnish

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Use your hands to break up jaggery into smaller parts and put into a saucepan.

Step 2

Combine coconut and warm water in a bowl; add to the saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir until jaggery is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool, about 15 minutes.

Step 3

Beat eggs in a bowl with an electric blender until light and creamy. Add vanilla and cardamom seeds. Combine egg mixture with cooled jaggery mixture; mix until well combined. Transfer mixture into a steamer pot or steaming bowl.

Step 4

Steam cook until the custard has cooked through, about 45 minutes. Use a knife to test to make sure the middle area has cooked through. If the middle area is still raw, cook for an additional 15 minutes. Allow watalappan to cool before refrigerating it.

Step 5

Serve chilled watalappan sprinkled with cashews.