Pumpkin kheer is a milk based Indian pudding made with pumpkin puree, milk, a handful of cashews and raisins, and flavoured with cardamom. It is also called kaddu ki kheer and pumpkin payasam. It appears at festivals, family gatherings and is easy to make whenever cravings hit.
This gluten free pumpkin puree dessert is proof that simple ingredients can make something special. With a little patience at stove, you end up with a comforting dessert that tastes of fragrant cardamom and sweet autumn pumpkin.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Kheer?
- Prepare with simple ingredients.
- It can be served warm or chilled.
- Easy to make ahead for family gatherings and parties
Notes On Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Pumpkin: I have used homemade pumpkin puree, check out how to cook a whole pumpkin in an instant pot. You can substitute it with canned puree.
- Dairy: Ghee to fry cashews and raisins, whole milk to cook kheer.
- Pantry Ingredients: Cashews, raisins, sugar and cardamom powder.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Pumpkin Kheer?
As always, I recommend watching the recipe video and checking out these step-by-step instructions first. Then you can find the full recipe with the exact measurements in the recipe card below!
Step 1: Melt ghee, fry cashews and raisins.
Step 2: Take them out into a bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Saute pumpkin puree.
Step 4: Stir in milk and bring it to a boil.
Step 5: Add sugar, cardamom powder, toasted coconut flakes, fried cashews and raisins.
Serve pumpkin kheer warm or chilled.
Variations and Substitutions
Dairy Free: Substitute dairy milk with full fat coconut milk and ghee with coconut oil.
Sweetener: Refined sugar can be substituted with jaggery. Switch the heat off and then stir in jaggery at the end to prevent milk from curdling.
Spices: Try nutmeg or cinnamon powder instead of cardamom for flavour variation.
Storage
Allow kheer to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently warm on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the kheer.
Tips and Tricks
Kheer thickens: Kheer thickens as it cools. If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of milk to adjust the consistency.
Heavy bottomed pan: Milk sticks to the base of pan easily, so use heavy bottomed pan to prevent scorching.
Smooth puree: Use smooth pumpkin puree as it blends well with milk without any lumps or fibres.
FAQ
Yes, use unsweetened puree in the same quantity as homemade puree.
Pumpkin kheer is a term widely used in North India, while payasam is a term used in South India. Although there are many regional versions
KEEP IN TOUCH
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Pumpkin Kheer
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan/Steel Pot
- 1 Spoon
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon = 5ml
- 1.5 tablespoons ghee
- 10-12 cashews each broken into 2-3 pieces
- 1 tablespoons raisins
- 1 cup (or) 285 gm pumpkin puree
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup (or) 175 gm sugar
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Melt 1.5 tablespoons ghee in a heavy bottomed steel pan over medium heat.
- Add 10-12 cashews and fry, stirring regularly until they turn golden. Add 1 tablespoons raisins and fry for a few seconds until they puff up. Remove them from the pan into a bowl/plate and set them aside.
- Add 1 cup (or) 285 gm pumpkin puree and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
- Pour 1 cup whole milk, stir well and bring it to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently until milk reduces and kheer gets thick and creamy.
- Stir in ¾ cup (or) 175 gm sugar and simmer for another 3-4 minutes until sugar dissolves and kheer reaches desired consistency.
- Add 1 teaspoon cardamom powder, 1 tablespoon toasted coconut flakes, fried cashews, raisins and stir well.
- Either serve pumpkin kheer warm or chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
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Welcome to Flavours Treat. I share vegetarian recipes made with wholesome, mostly fresh ingredients. Every recipe has easy-to-follow instructions with process shots (detailed step-wise pictures), a short video and lots of tips to help your cooking journey. Read more
