Rasmalai (aka Pushpa's Indian Dessert)

The wife of one of Dad's co-workers treated us to some delicious Indian food. This is the dessert she made. In restaurants, you'll sometimes see Rasmalai formed into balls, but this recipe is much easier.

Rasmalai

2 16-oz cartons ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup powdered milk
8-10 cardamons
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
1 cup half & half or whipping cream (EP-you can use milk in a pinch or for a lighter dessert)

Set aside 2 to 3 Tbsp of sugar.  Crush the cardamon to powder. Mix cheese, sugar, milk powder and 1 crushed cardamon thoroughly. Spread the mixture in a 9x13x2" glass pan and bake in 350'F oven for 30-45 minutes (till bubbly throughout).
Remove, sprinkle almonds on top and let cool for an hour. Mix whipping cream or half and half with the set aside sugar and the rest of the crushed cardamon.  Pour this on top of the baked cake. Chill in the refrigerator before serving. Yields 20 to 24 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" pieces.