Persian Ice Cream - Bastani Sonnati (Easy Cheat Method) Recipe
This Persian Ice Cream, known as Bastani Sonnati, is a luxurious and fragrant frozen dessert that combines saffron-infused vanilla ice cream with rose water and crunchy pistachios. Using an easy cheat method, it incorporates frozen cream pieces for an authentic stretchy texture without complicated preparation. Garnished with rose petals and pistachios, this exotic dessert offers a beautiful balance of floral and nutty flavors, perfect for special occasions or an elegant treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (no actual cooking, mainly preparation)
- Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: Persian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 liter vanilla ice cream (good quality)
- Good pinch of saffron threads (approx ¼ tsp)
- 1 ½ teaspoon rose water
- 60g pistachios, chopped finely
- ¾ cup cream or heavy cream
- Rose petals for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Freeze the cream: Pour the cream onto a baking tray or plate lined with parchment paper and place it in the freezer for about 1 hour, until it becomes solid.
- Prepare saffron infusion: Using a mortar and pestle, grind the saffron threads into a powder. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and stir well. Let this mixture infuse and develop its color and aroma for 10-15 minutes.
- Soften the ice cream: Remove the vanilla ice cream from the freezer and place it in a large bowl to slightly soften, ensuring it does not melt completely.
- Mix saffron and pistachios: Add the saffron water infusion and rose water to the softened ice cream. Gently mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until fully combined. Fold in most of the chopped pistachios, reserving some for garnish. Return the mixture to the original ice cream container.
- Incorporate frozen cream pieces: Take the frozen cream and chop it into tiny pieces. Gently fold these chunks into the saffron ice cream mixture to add texture and authenticity.
- Freeze to set: Garnish with the remaining pistachios and optional rose petals. Place the ice cream back in the freezer to set for approximately 8 hours or overnight.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop into bowls or sandwich between wafers to create traditional saffron ice cream sandwiches, then enjoy the delightful Persian treat!
Notes
- For best flavor, use high-quality vanilla ice cream and real saffron threads.
- Do not let the ice cream melt completely when softening; a slight softening allows better mixing without losing texture.
- Rose water adds a fragrant floral note; adjust quantity to taste.
- Chopping the frozen cream and folding it in helps replicate the traditional stretchy texture of Bastani Sonnati.
- This recipe requires advance preparation due to freezing times; plan accordingly.
- Optional rose petals garnish adds visual elegance and a subtle aroma.
