Kheer
Creamy rice pudding gently cooked with milk, cardamom, and a little sugar until rich and comforting. This classic Indian dessert is simple, festive, and lovely served warm or chilled.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~20 min
Wash and soak the rice.
Rinse the basmati rice well until the water runs clearer. Soak it in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain.
TIPSoaking helps the rice soften faster and gives the kheer a creamier texture. - boil · ~8 min
Bring the milk to a gentle boil.
Pour the milk into a heavy pan and heat over medium flame, stirring now and then so it does not catch at the bottom.
- simmer · ~25 min
Cook the rice in the milk.
1.Add the drained rice to the hot milk.2.Add the crushed green cardamom and saffron.3.Lower the heat and simmer gently.4.Stir often and scrape down the sides so the milk solids mix back in.TIPKeep the heat low and stir often to prevent scorching. - simmer · ~15 min
Add sugar and finish the kheer.
1.When the rice is fully soft, add the sugar and stir well.2.Add the almonds, cashews, and raisins.3.Simmer until the kheer thickens to a creamy pouring consistency.TIPKheer thickens more as it cools, so stop cooking when it is slightly looser than you want. - serve
Serve warm or chilled.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use a heavy-bottomed pan so the milk reduces slowly without scorching.
- 2Stir and scrape the sides often; those milk solids add extra richness back into the kheer.
- 3Add sugar only after the rice is fully soft, or the grains can take longer to cook.
- 4Stop the cooking when it looks slightly loose, because kheer thickens noticeably as it cools.
- 5For chilled kheer, press a lid or cling film over the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
- 6If it becomes too thick after chilling, loosen it with a splash of cold milk before serving.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-sugar
Reduce the sugar for a less sweet kheer that lets the milk, cardamom, saffron, and dried fruit stand out more clearly.
festival styleFestival-style
Add a little more saffron and extra sliced nuts for a richer, more celebratory version suited to special occasions.
veganVegan
Use almond milk or another plant milk and swap in vegan-friendly nuts and raisins for a dairy-free take with a different but pleasant flavor.
rose flavoredRose-flavored
Add a few drops of rose water at the end for a fragrant variation often served chilled.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Calcium From Milk
The full-fat milk in kheer provides calcium and dairy protein, making the dessert more nourishing than a purely sugar-based sweet.
Energy-Providing Dessert
Rice and milk make this a comforting source of carbohydrates and sustained richness, especially useful as a festive or post-meal sweet.
Nuts Add Good Fats
Almonds and cashews contribute healthy fats, some protein, and a more satisfying texture along with extra flavor.
Antioxidant-Rich Additions
Saffron, raisins, and cardamom bring small amounts of plant compounds and aromatic depth beyond simple sweetness.
Frequently asked questions
The heat is likely too high or the pan is too thin. Keep it at a gentle simmer and stir frequently, especially along the base and sides.
