Spiced Indian Semolina Halwa with Cardamom

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A warm and fragrant Indian dessert made by toasting semolina in ghee and simmering it with sweetened milk and aromatic cardamom. This Indian-inspired recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, layers semolina (rava), ghee, whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup semolina (rava)
• 1/4 cup ghee
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6, crushed green cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup chopped cashews
• 2 tbsp raisins
• a pinch saffron strands (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add 1 cup semolina and toast, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes until it turns golden and emits a nutty aroma.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, combine 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup water, and 3/4 cup sugar; heat gently until sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm but not boiling.
3. Step 3: Slowly pour the milk mixture into the toasted semolina while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Step 4: Add 6 crushed green cardamom pods, a pinch of saffron strands if using, 1/4 cup chopped cashews, and 2 tbsp raisins.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low and cook the halwa, stirring often, until it thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 10 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving warm garnished with extra nuts if desired.