“Sheer Khurma or Sheer Korma is a special traditional Iftari Dessert made during Eid-Ul-Fitr, Ramzan.
It is a popular, luscious, and rich Mughlai sweet that is very popularly eaten during festivals. If you haven’t relished Sheer Khurma before you need to try this soon. Sheer Khurma is prepared by frying dry fruits like almonds, cashew nuts, raisins, and dates, in ghee and cooking Vermicelli in boiled milk with dry fruits and further enhanced with cardamom powder. However, there are few variations that are followed in every household. There are additions of different varieties of dry fruits as per liking. Like in our household we add almonds, raisins, and at times even pistachios.
Check More Indian Festive Sweet Recipes here:
Gajar Ki Burfi
Doodh Pak
Kesar Paneer Kheer
Vermicelli Payasam
Shahi Tukra
Puran Poli
Ingredients required to prepare Sheer Qorma
Vermicelli – Use roasted or Nylon Vermicelli for this recipe.
Almonds and Raisins – Add dry fruits like almonds, raisins, cashew nuts, and pistachios.
Seedless Black Dates – Use the Best Quality seedless dates as this is a key ingredient to this recipe.
Full-Fat Milk – always use Full-Fat milk for preparing sheer kurma as this will make it creamy and rich.
Cardamom Powder – This delicate powder will enhance the flavor of Sheer Korma. Crushed cardamom with mortar and pestle to get the best flavor.
Sugar – Use fine granulated sugar in this recipe for sweetness.
Ghee, Clarified Butter – Roasting Dry fruits in Pure Desi Ghee makes it more aromatic.
Rose Petals – Adding Rose Petals adds a nice aroma and makes it rich.
Step-By-Step Recipe of Sheer Khurma
1. Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat and roast almonds and raisins on a lower heat for 2 minutes till they are slightly brown. Remove them on a plate and keep them aside.
2. Now add seedless dates and roast for 2 minutes. Once they turn brown remove the dates and keep them on a plate.
3. Break Vermicelli into small pieces and add them to the same pot with the remaining ghee and fry till golden brown. Fry for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame so they do not burn.
4. Add milk into the same pot and boil for 10-15 minutes till vermicelli becomes soft. Keep stirring often so that the vermicelli doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
5. Once the milk is boiled add sugar, cardamom powder and bring it to a boil.
6. Finally add softened dates and dry fruits to the boiled milk and keep stirring continuously for another 5-7 minutes till all the ingredients are incorporated together and Sheer Khurma turns creamy.
7. Garnish with rose petals, dry fruits, and serve it warm or chilled.
Recipe Notes:
- You can use Nylon Vermicelli, which is very thin and fine. It is easily available in grocery stores. This vermicelli will cook very fast and will taste very good as well.
- Charoli is usually added to Sheer Korma, but it was not available near my house, so I have not used it in this recipe. However, if you have it please use it as this will taste good.
- Dates are a must for making Sheer Qorma. So do not skip this step of adding good quality dates.
- Adding Saffron in Sheer Korma makes it more rich and flavorful, so you can add that as well.
Sheer Khurma
Ingredients
- 100 gms Whole Wheat Vermicelli
- 6-7 Almonds
- 7-8 Raisins
- 8-9 Seedless Black Dates
- 1- liter Full-Fat Milk
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 tbsp Ghee Clarified Butter
- a handful of dry rose petals
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat and roast almonds and raisins on a lower heat for 2 minutes till they are slightly brown. Remove them on a plate and keep them aside.
- Now add seedless dates and roast for 2 minutes. Once they turn brown remove the dates and keep them on a plate.
- Break Vermicelli into small pieces and add them to the same pot with the remaining ghee and fry till golden brown. Fry for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame so they do not burn.
- Add milk into the same pot and boil for 10-15 minutes till vermicelli becomes soft.
- Once the milk is boiled add sugar, cardamom powder and bring it to a boil.
- Finally add softened dates and dry fruits to the boiled milk and keep stirring continuously for another 5-7 minutes till all the ingredients are incorporated together and Sheer Khurma turns creamy.
- Garnish with rose petals, dry fruits, and serve it warm or chilled.
Nutrition
Also Read: Gulab Jamun | How to make Gulab Jamun
Why You Will Love This Sheer Khurma Recipe
- Simple to Make – Takes only 35 minutes from start to finish with minimal effort.
- 100% Vegetarian – A pure vegetarian recipe that is absolutely delicious and satisfying.
- Festive Favourite – Perfect for gifting, serving guests, or indulging your sweet tooth at home.
- Tried and Tested – This is our family recipe that has been perfected over the years.
- Kid-Friendly – Adjust the spice level and even the little ones will enjoy this dish.
- Perfect for Guests – Impressive enough to serve at any dinner party or get-together.
Ingredients for Sheer Khurma
Here is a quick overview of the key ingredients you will need to make this dessert at home. Most of these are everyday kitchen staples.
Key Ingredients
- Whole Wheat Vermicelli – Use fresh, good quality whole wheat vermicelli for the best results.
- 6-7 Almonds – Use fresh, good quality 6-7 almonds for the best results.
- 7-8 Raisins – Use fresh, good quality 7-8 raisins for the best results.
- 8-9 Seedless Black Dates – Use fresh, good quality 8-9 seedless black dates for the best results.
- 1- Liter Full-Fat Milk – Use fresh, good quality 1- liter full-fat milk for the best results.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Sugar – Use jaggery, coconut sugar, or stevia for a less refined sweetener.
- Ghee – Coconut oil works as a vegan alternative, though the flavour will differ slightly.
- Milk – Full-fat coconut milk is the best dairy-free substitute for creamy desserts.
Pro Tip: Make sure all your ingredients are measured and kept ready before you start cooking. This mise en place approach makes the entire process smooth and enjoyable, and you will not have to scramble for anything mid-cooking.
Tips for Making Perfect Sheer Khurma
Follow these helpful tips to ensure your sheer khurma turns out perfect every single time.
- Use full-fat milk or cream for a richer taste and better texture.
- Keep the flame on low to medium to avoid burning. Patience is key with sweets.
- Roast dry fruits separately and add them as garnish for an extra special touch.
- Let the sweet cool down properly before cutting or serving for a neater presentation.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced cooks can sometimes slip up. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when making sheer khurma so that yours turns out perfect every time.
- Cooking on high flame – Most Indian sweets need patience. High heat causes burning and uneven cooking. Always keep the flame on low to medium.
- Not stirring continuously – Milk-based sweets especially need constant stirring to prevent sticking and burning at the bottom.
- Wrong sugar timing – Adding sugar too early can prevent thickening. Add it at the stage mentioned in the recipe for best results.
- Skipping the ghee – Ghee is essential in most Indian sweets for flavour and texture. Do not skip it or use too little.
Variations of Sheer Khurma
While the classic sheer khurma is wonderful as it is, here are some exciting variations you can try to mix things up.
- Sugar-Free Version – Use jaggery or stevia for a healthier sweet treat.
- Nutty Twist – Add crushed pistachios, almonds, or cashews for extra crunch and richness.
- Chocolate Version – Add cocoa powder for a fusion chocolate variant that kids will love.
- Restaurant Style – Use a bit more butter, cream, or ghee for that rich, indulgent restaurant-like taste at home.
- Instant Pot Version – This recipe adapts well to the Instant Pot or pressure cooker for faster cooking without compromising on flavour.
Serving Suggestions
Serve sheer khurma on a beautiful plate garnished with slivered almonds and pistachios. It is perfect as a dessert course after a meal, or you can pack it in decorative boxes for gifting during festivals.
If you are meal planning for the week, sheer khurma is a great option to prepare in advance. It also makes for a wonderful potluck contribution or a dish to take to someone who is unwell or has just had a baby – because nothing says ‘I care’ quite like homemade food.
How to Store Sheer Khurma
Store leftover sheer khurma in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Some sweets can also be frozen for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Health Benefits of Sheer Khurma
While sheer khurma is a treat, many Indian sweets actually have nutritional value when made the right way. Traditional ingredients like ghee (clarified butter) is rich in fat-soluble vitamins, dry fruits provide essential minerals and healthy fats, and ingredients like saffron and cardamom have medicinal properties in Ayurveda.
The key is portion control – enjoy sheer khurma in moderation as part of a balanced diet. When made at home with quality ingredients and without artificial additives, it is a much healthier option than processed store-bought sweets. You can further boost its nutrition by reducing sugar and using natural sweeteners like jaggery or dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make sheer khurma in advance?
Yes, most components can be prepared a day ahead. Store in the fridge and assemble or garnish before serving.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can easily make this vegan by replacing dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives. Use coconut cream instead of cream, and cashew paste for richness.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar by 25-30% without affecting the texture much. You can also use jaggery or coconut sugar as a healthier alternative.
Can I freeze sheer khurma?
Yes, you can freeze sheer khurma in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Absolutely! Most kids love sheer khurma and it is a great way to introduce them to traditional Indian flavours from a young age.
Can I double or triple this recipe?
Yes, this recipe scales up perfectly. Simply double or triple all the ingredients proportionally. Just make sure you use a larger pan or pot to accommodate the increased quantity, and adjust the cooking time slightly if needed.
