Chhena Poda (transl. Baked cheese) is a cheese dessert from the Indian state of Odisha. Chhena poda literally means Baked Cheese in Odia. It is made of well-kneaded homemade fresh cheese chhena, sugar is baked for several hours until it browns. Chhena poda is the only well known Indian dessert whose flavor is predominantly derived from the caramelization of sugar.
Chhenapoda originated in the Odisha village of Dasapalla in the first half of the twentieth century. The owner of a confectionery, Sudarsan Sahu decided to add sugar and seasonings to leftover chhena one night, and left it in the Indian Chulha that was still warm from earlier use. The next day, he was pleasantly surprised to find out what a scrumptious dessert he had created.