Steamed Indian Semolina and Cardamom Halwa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

A fragrant and silky dessert made by steaming semolina with cardamom, sugar, and ghee for a traditional Indian sweet treat. This Indian-inspired recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, layers semolina (rava), ghee, sugar 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 290 calories and feeds 4, 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)
• 3 tbsp ghee
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup whole milk
• 6, crushed green cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup chopped cashews
• 2 tbsp raisins

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat 3 tbsp ghee over medium heat. Add 1 cup semolina and toast, stirring constantly, for 5-6 minutes until it turns light golden and emits a nutty aroma.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine 2 cups water, 1 cup whole milk, 3/4 cup sugar, and the 6 crushed green cardamom pods. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
3. Step 3: Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the toasted semolina while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Reduce heat to low and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the halwa thickens and pulls away from the sides.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cashews and 2 tbsp raisins, cooking for another 2 minutes until the nuts are softened.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let the halwa rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.