If you are looking for something sweet yet light with a hint of the exotic, then this dessert is for you. That’s exactly what I craved one day. I knew phirni fit the bill perfectly.
Phirni or firni is an Indian dessert from the Punjab region. It is the more exotic cousin of a traditional Indian rice pudding or kheer. While a bowl of kheer is like a warm hug, a bowl of cold phirni is like a breath of cool, fresh air.
Phirni is made with ground basmati rice cooked in milk, simmered and reduced till thick and creamy. This is sweetened and flavored with anything from cardamom to saffron to rose or even mango! As you can see, I used rose syrup here. It adds such a pretty pink color and a beautiful fragrance, not to mention flavor.
Phirni is best served chilled, set in little clay or earthen pots. In the absence of such serveware, any dessert bowl will do.
The top of this pudding sets perfectly after a couple of hours in the refrigerator. Dip your spoon into it and scoop up the luscious creamy pudding. The flavor is unlike anything you may have ever eaten before. A cool dessert perfect for when you have company or on days when you decide to give yourself a little treat. Because, well… why not?!!
Topped with nuts and real rose petals, this makes for a dessert fit for royalty. One may find it hard to believe that everyday humble ingredients like rice, milk and sugar come together to make something so beautiful and delicious!
You do need to be a bit patient to properly reduce the milk and cook the rice till the pudding thickens. There are some recipes that use shortcuts like sweetened condensed milk, but I love the clean flavors that you get when following the traditional method.
- Whole milk - 4½ cups
- Cardamom powder - ¼ tsp
- Basmati rice - ¼ cup
- Sugar - 6 tbsp
- Rose syrup - 2 tbsp (can be replaced with 1 tsp rose water or 2 drops of pure rose essence)
- Almonds - 2 tbsp, chopped (can also use pistachios)
- Dried rose petals - a few, to garnish (optional)
- Wash the basmati rice in water a couple of times and soak in water for half an hour. This will make the grinding part easier. using a blender, grind rice to a fairly smooth paste, adding a few tablespoons of milk. Set aside.
- In a large, thick-bottomed saucepan, start heating the milk on medium-high heat. When the milk boils, add the rice paste and reduce heat to medium. Cook the rice, stirring often to avoid any lumps. In about 10-15 minutes, the rice will be cooked. Cook the pudding further till it reduces and thickens, maybe 10 more minutes.
- Add sugar and rose syrup. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Taste and add more sugar or rose syrup, if needed.
- Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, but not more than that as the pudding will begin to set as it cools.
- Transfer phirni to a big serving bowl or individual dessert bowls and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for a couple of hours so that phirni sets properly.
- Serve cold phirni garnished with chopped nuts and dried rose petals.
2. A shortcut method to make phirni is to use store-bought rice flour instead of making your own rice paste.
Like I mentioned above, a cheat’s way of making phirni is by using rice flour. Here is a great recipe which I’ve successfully tried a few times, from my buddy Sonal’s blog.
Enjoy this gorgeous Indian dessert. It is creamy, sweet and delicious and checks off all the right boxes for the perfect desert!
Don’t forget to PIN this recipe for later, and go here for more recipes of INDIAN DESSERTS.
You will find recipes like these golden beauties – Apple & Coconut Burfi Bars.
Or, how about some creamy and luscious Bhapa Doi, a baked yogurt pudding that takes 5 minutes to prep!
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I am sharing this over at Fiesta Friday, FoodieFriDIY and Saucy Saturdays.
So pretty, Anjana!
Thank you!
OMG I am literally drooling, this looks amazingly delicious! Love the colour too, so pretty!
Thank you so much
Love that gorgeous color Anjana! My pink-smitted munchkin would love it! Going to try it when the weather gets warm again
Please do! I am sure she’ll love it:)
seriously the colour is beyond this world. I love rice pudding and this is a perfect way to change up the routine by adding rose syrup mmm
Thank you so much! Yes, the rose elevates this one to a whole new level of deliciousness
What a gorgeous looking pudding! It sounds so delicious!! Love it!
Thank you so much!
Aww it’s so pretty in pink!!
Looks and sounds like a fantastic dessert, I wish I could just dip a spoon through my computer screen to try some! Thanks for bringing this to Fiesta Friday! xx
Thank you. I wish we could taste food that way too! Thanks for visiting!!
A pink dessert is always pretty and who wouldn’t want to take a spoon and scoop some out. Rose petals are a nice finishing touch… Happy Fiesta Friday and thanks for coming to the party Anjana
Thank you! I love anything pink too
Wow..looks pretty easy and delicious
Thank you, do give it a try
Lovely color! ! Looks so pretty . You gave the simple phirni a touch of elegance
Thank you! Love using rose in desserts
Absolutely love the color and how you have kept it on the lighter tone of rose! The dimples in the pudding are so attractive and delicate. So in love with your Gulab Phirni Anj! Loads of love for the shout out too!
Will be sharing it on my forum!!
Thanks dear! This recipe has been in the works for quite a while now, but was unable to post before Diwali.
I’ve tried your recipe a few times and loved it, but I don’t remember if I ever gave you any feedback. Better late than never,right?!
Loads of love!!
That reminds me that I haven’t made Phirni in long time, I might try the Gulab version with rose water..