Kitchen Recipe Collection
Sri Lankan Aluwa (Milk Toffee Squares)
Sweet, fudgy, melt-in-the-mouth Sri Lankan milk toffee squares made from rice flour, sugar, milk, and cardamom — a simple but utterly addictive traditional New Year confection.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 24
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 24 servings
- rice flour
- sugar
- milk
- cardamom
- cashew nuts
- raisins
- butter
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed pan
- Greased tray
- Wooden spoon
Instructions
- 1
Toast Flour
Dry-roast the rice flour in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
- 2
Cook Sugar & Milk
In the same pan, combine sugar and milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to thicken.
- 3
Add Flour
Add the toasted rice flour gradually while stirring vigorously. Add butter, cardamom, cashew nuts, and raisins. Stir continuously to prevent lumps.
- 4
Cook to Correct Stage
Continue stirring on low heat until the mixture becomes very thick and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. It should not stick to your fingers when lightly touched.
- 5
Set
Pour onto a greased tray. Press flat with a greased spatula to an even thickness of about 1.5cm. Allow to cool completely, then cut into diamond or square shapes.
Cooking Tips
- Constant stirring throughout is critical — the mixture scorches easily on the bottom.
- The correct consistency is firm enough to hold its shape when poured but not so dry it crumbles. Timing is everything.
- Greasing your hands makes pressing the mixture flat much easier.
Variations
- Kithul Aluwa: Use kithul treacle instead of sugar for a darker, more caramelized flavor.
- Coconut Aluwa: Add freshly grated coconut for a richer texture.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Aluwa is one of the 'Seven New Year Foods' (Avurudu Ata Paththu) traditionally prepared for the Sri Lankan New Year.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Estimate
95 calories · 2g protein · 16g carbs · 3g fat · 0g fiber per serving
