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Home » All Recipes » Suji Ka Halwa (Indian Semolina Pudding)

Suji Ka Halwa (Indian Semolina Pudding)

Published: Nov 21, 2019 · Modified: Aug 19, 2022 by Wajeeha Nadeem · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Suji Ka Halwa (Indian Semolina Pudding) is a sweet dessert often made for auspicious occasions in India and in Pakistan it is served with a famous weekend brunch food called halwa puri. It is also called rava kesari or rava sheera in some areas of India. Topped with dry fruit, this is an easy, comforting and delicious dessert from the South Asian region.

Suji Ka Halwa

I'm here with a delicious Indian dessert that's super indulgent and super easy to make.  But let's first start with a brief explanation of  what exactly semolina (rava) is.

What Exactly is Semolina?

Even I didn't know this until recently. Lol. So basically, semolina is derived from the middlings of wheat durum and is also used to make pasta and couscous. In countries like India and Pakistan, it is primarily used to make this recipe. And boy, is it yummy or what?! Not to mention it's super simple to make which is just the way I like it here.

In Pakistan it's served as a brunch dish along with pooris, aaloo bhaji (potato curry) and channay (chickpea curry). It's a super filling brunch and is often paired with hot cups of milky tea. Yum!

Suji Ka Halwa (rava sheera)

Variations of this Sweet Dessert

Each household has it's own way of making suji ka halwa, and while I usually make one with butter and milk, this one is a bit different as we use water and sugar to make a sugar syrup and then add the semolina. This particular recipe is served with pooris and usually very indulgent so just a little bit goes a long way.

This is a very, very easy semolina pudding recipe but there are a couple of tricks to make sure that it reaches the perfect consistency. Often with semolina pudding, what happens is that while it's deliciously soft when it's freshly made it becomes a bit stodgy as it comes to room temperature. However this suji ka halwa recipe is different as its consistency remains the same even as it cools down.

Suji Ka Halwa

The beautiful orangey color that you see in these pictures comes from a couple of drops of orange food color. However this is totally optional, and you can skip it if you want to. But don't forget to add a variety of dry fruit because it makes the suji halwa even more delicious with added crunch and texture.

Butter or Desi Ghee?

Traditionally this halwa is made with desi ghee (clarified butter), but I actually like using butter because it gives a really good flavor, and of course is more easily available.

How to Make It

  • We start by making the sheera (sugar syrup) which is simply made by combining 2 cups sugar with 3 cups water and cooking just until the sugar has completely dissolved. At this point you may also add a few drops of orange food coloring if desired. The sugar syrup will have a very thin consistency. Take off heat and set aside.
  • In another large pot, start by heating 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter) or butter. Add a few crushed pods of green cardamom. Then it's time to add 1 cup of semolina and cook for just 2-3 minutes and not anymore than that.
  • Once the semolina is cooked, pour in the prepared sugar syrup and then cook for only 2 or 3 minutes and remove from the stove. The halwa will still be very liquidy but will be bubbling, that's exactly how it's supposed to be. Cover with lid for 10 minutes.
  • When you take off the lid of the pot, you'll see that the semolina has absorbed the extra liquid and the halwa is now ready to be enjoyed with poori or even on its own.
how to make suji ka halwa (step by step photos)
Suji Ka Halwa (rava sheera)

I do hope you try this suji ka halwa, and if you do I would love to hear your feedback! 🙂

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Suji Ka Halwa (rava sheera)

Suji Ka Halwa (Indian Semolina Pudding)

Learn how to make easy Suji Ka Halwa (Indian Semolina Pudding) which is an easy semolina with sugar syrup dessert topped with nuts. Served on auspicious or religious occasions in India and also served with poori. 
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 406kcal
Author: Wajeeha Nadeem

Ingredients

For the Sugar Syrup

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 drops orange food color (optional)

For the Suji Ka Halwa Base

  • 1/2 cup ghee or butter (ghee is clarified butter)
  • 4 pods green cardamom (crushed)
  • 1 cup semolina (suji)
  • 1/2 cup assorted dry fruit (I used walnuts, cashew nuts and raisins)

Instructions

For the Sugar Syrup

  • In a medium sized pot add all ingredients and cook just until the sugar has completely dissolved. Take off from heat and set aside. 

For the Suji Ka Halwa Base

  • In a large heavy based pot, heat the ghee (or butter) and add the crushed cardamom pods. 
  • Add the semolina (suji or rava) and cook for 2-3 minutes until it releases a nutty aroma. 
  • Pour in the sugar syrup and cook the suji ka halwa for 2-3 minutes. The halwa will still be very liquidy and bubbly. Do not cook any longer than 2-3 minutes and take off heat immediately. Cover with lid and let rest for 10 minutes. 
  • After 10 minutes the semolina will have absorbed extra liquid and be in perfect consistency. Top with nuts / dry fruit and serve on its own or with poori. 

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. Nathalie

    July 31, 2023 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    This came out so delicious. Thank you soooo so much!!

    Reply
  2. Chahaisuren

    December 12, 2020 at 12:38 am

    5 stars
    Super simple yet sophisticated.

    Reply
  3. Yasmeen

    May 22, 2020 at 7:06 pm

    But what is your recipe when using milk? Trying to make this like mom used to but the version with water doesn’t taste right. Please share your more traditional recipe you mention briefly above.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Rathi

    May 07, 2020 at 5:08 am

    5 stars
    Just tried this recipe as an offering for a pooja and it was just perfect! I've been looking for a recipe for suji halwa where it remains gooey when cold and this recipe didn't fail to deliver. It was just scrumptious and easy to make. I'm afraid I'll be making it more often 🙂
    The only additions that I made were to add some saffron strands to the sugar syrup and reduce the sugar to 1.5 cups.
    In the future , I would also probably add cardamom powder as I don't like biting into the pod.
    Thanks again for such a lovely recipe!

    Reply
    • waj.nad@gmail.com

      May 07, 2020 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks Rathi, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Atiqa

    April 05, 2020 at 9:20 am

    Hi, can I reduce the amount of sugar ?

    Reply
    • waj.nad@gmail.com

      April 11, 2020 at 7:47 am

      Yes, I think that should be okay. 🙂

      Reply
      • Nuzha

        December 18, 2020 at 8:52 am

        I made this Halwa awhile ago with my son. I substituted 1 cup of milk & 2 cups of water and it came out so well. I reduced the sugar to 1.25 cups. Overall it was yummy. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
  6. Wendeth

    October 11, 2019 at 12:50 am

    My favorite thing to do at 5am in Lahore is bead out for halwa puri! Glad to see you've compiled the entire entrée in one place.

    Reply
  7. Yukti Arora

    August 26, 2019 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    Wow so classy and mouth watering halwa recipe i loved it and please keep posting such tempting halwa recipe because i am Learner of making new and different halwa.

    Reply
  8. Krista

    May 07, 2018 at 1:30 pm

    5 stars
    What a creative pudding! I am going to have to try this out very soon! It looks very good!

    Reply
  9. Shanika

    May 07, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! I've never tried this but it looks and sounds so good! I'm saving this for later!

    Reply
  10. Claudia Lamascolo

    May 07, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    5 stars
    I really love the time you took for all these tips. This isnt something I ever had and would love to try it. The colors are so vibrant! Sounds like something the kids will love too!

    Reply
  11. Tara

    May 07, 2018 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! This sounds perfect paired with curry and tea for brunch! I love the assorted dried fruit on top.

    Reply
  12. Demeter

    May 07, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    Thank you for all your tricks and tips! Makes me feel more confident when trying new things!

    Reply
5 from 11 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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