Tropical Steamed Sandesh (Bhapa Sondesh) — with fresh fruits and a silky coconut sauce, this dressed up steamed sandesh is the dessert of the summer! Requiring minimal ingredients to make and so refreshing, this is a modernized take on Indian mithai you have to try!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE TROPICAL STEAMED SANDESH (BHAPA SONDESH):
We’ll start by draining any excess water from our homemade chenna (cottage cheese). Transfer this to a blender along with some milk and powdered sugar. Blend this until it has a really smooth consistency and we’re ready to transfer this to a greased mold. I’ve also added a parchment paper lining here as well.
Gently tap the sandesh to remove any air bubbles and sprinkle with saffron. Gently cover the mold with some foil to seal the edges and now we’re ready to steam this for 20-30 minutes. If you can insert a knife and it comes out clean, your sandesh is ready! Let this chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins.

Meanwhile, we’ll make our super simple coconut sauce. In a pan, add coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt and bring this to a boil. Let it cool down and chill this in the fridge as well.

Now we’re ready to assemble! Carefully unmold your sandesh and cut it in your desired shape. Place a slice of sandesh on your serving plate. Drizzle with your velvety coconut sauce. And now we’ll top this with any in-season fruits of your choice for a pop of color and refreshing flavor! I’ve used oranges, grapefruits, kiwis, mangos, pomegranates, and more!
Garnish it with pistachios, fresh mint, and cardamom powder. Your Tropical Steamed Sandesh (Bhapa Sondesh) is ready to enjoy!

If you like this, please try my other recipes:

Tropical Steamed Sandesh (Bhapa Sondesh) — with fresh fruits and a silky coconut sauce, this dressed up steamed sandesh is the dessert of the summer! Requiring minimal ingredients to make and so refreshing, this is a modernized take on Indian mithai you have to try!
- 2 cups homemade cottage cheese (chenna) , or grated paneer
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar or confectioners (icing) sugar
- 10-15 strands saffron
- oil , for greasing
- 1 1/2 cup coconut milk , unsweetened (one 13.5 oz can)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- pinch salt
- fresh fruits , I used orange, grapefruit, mango, pomegranate, tropical fruits
- pistachio , slivered
- mint leaves
- cardamom powder
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Make sure you squeeze out any excess water from your homemade chenna (cottage cheese).
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In a blender, add your fresh cottage cheese (or grated paneer), milk and powdered sugar. Blend until smooth and creamy, making sure not to over-mix. If it’s too thick, add some milk, one tablespoon at a time. The texture should be like pancake batter so it steams properly.
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Grease an 8” round tart pan (or circular mold on a greased dish) with oil and line it with parchment paper. Then, add in your sandesh batter, spreading it evenly and tapping it to remove air bubbles.
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Sprinkle your saffron strands on top and cover the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil to seal the tart pan. Steam the sandesh for 5 minutes on high heat and then for 15 minutes on medium to low heat. To test if the sandesh is done, insert a knife and if it comes out clean, the sandesh is ready.
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Chill the sandesh in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
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To make the coconut sauce, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a pan and bring it to a boil. Let it cool down and then chill in the fridge.
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Carefully unmold your sandesh and cut it in your desired shape. Serve it with your coconut sauce and fresh fruits. Garnish it with pistachios, mint, and cardamom powder. Your Tropical Steamed Sandesh is ready to enjoy!
Recipe Video
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Wow receipe.
Thanks!
Nice one
Thanks!!
Thanks!
Hi Nidhi,
Beautiful recipe! Can I make this one day advance and serve it other day?
Thanks, you can absolutely do that