Description
A rich and creamy South Asian rice pudding (Badam Kheer) made by simmering fragrant basmati rice in milk, enriched with almond paste, cardamom, and rose or kewra water. It’s comforting, elegant, and perfect served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
- 2 litres full-fat milk (approx. 8 cups)
- ½ cup basmati rice (soaked)
- ½ cup almonds (soaked, peeled, and ground to paste)
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground green cardamom
- ½ teaspoon kewra water or rose water
- Slivered almonds, pistachios, dried rose petals for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Soak almonds in hot water for 30 minutes. Peel skins and grind into a smooth paste using a little milk if needed.
- Rinse rice until water runs clear. Soak for 30 minutes, then drain and lightly crush grains for texture.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring milk to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cardamom and soaked rice. Cook, stirring often, for about 30 minutes until rice softens and mixture thickens.
- Stir in almond paste and continue cooking for another 20 minutes, stirring regularly until rich and creamy.
- Add sugar, stir to dissolve, and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until desired thickness is reached.
- Turn off the heat and add kewra or rose water. Stir gently.
- Spoon into serving dishes and garnish with slivered almonds, pistachios, and rose petals if using.
- Serve warm or chilled as desired.
Notes
- Soaking rice and almonds improves texture and flavour—don’t skip this step.
- Stir frequently to avoid burning and ensure even cooking.
- The pudding thickens as it cools; add milk to loosen when reheating or before serving chilled.
- Use almond flour as a shortcut if you don’t want to make almond paste.
- Both rose water and kewra add floral aroma—use whichever is available.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: South Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
