Indulge in melt-in-the-mouth sooji halwa (sheera) that instantly brings back childhood nostalgia. This is my favorite recipe for cozy memories and festival spreads. Comes together in just 20 minutes for sweet comfort anytime. Stove Top & Instant Pot Methods
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My love for Sooji Halwa
Suji Halwa if my favorite kind of Halwa. I have fond memories of my mom and nani making it on special occasions and especially on Ashtami and Naumi as Kanjak prashad or Kathas. I enjoyed the divine aroma of roasted sooji mixed with ghee filling the house and the melt in the mouth texture with almonds and sometimes raisins. I love Suji Halwa so much that if I am craving a dessert and there is nothing that I can find, this is my go-to dessert.
In this post, I will show you how to make the perfect Sheera at home with step-by-step instructions common mistakes to avoid and my pro tips to get the best results.
Ingredient Notes
Here is a gist of the ingredients. See recipe card for exact quantities.
- Sooji / Suji (Semolina) - For a melt in the mouth texture, I like to use fine sooji but if you like some texture in your Halwa, you can use coarse sooji too.
- Ghee - I highly recommend using homemade Ghee for this recipe. I am just not a fan of store bought ghees as I find they have an peculiar aroma and not the nutty aroma that you can enjoy from the homemade ghee.
- Sweetener - Ofcourse nothing like the sweetness of sugar, but if you want to watch your sugar intake, I often make it with monk fruit for my FIL and he has never complained.
- Water or Milk - My roots are from the North of India, where Sooji Halwa is cooked in water however living in Maharashtra I have often enjoyed variations of Halwa that is cooked in milk. So feel free to expriment.
- Cardamom Powder, Almonds, Rose Petals, Raisins - Enhance the taste and texture of Sheera.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Sheera
- Roast the Sooji - Heat ghee in a pan and add the suji. Roast it on a medium flame, stirring continuously, until it turns golden brown and aromatic.
- Cook & Stir - Add the water, followed by sugar keep stirring until the mixture thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
- Add Almonds, Raisins & Cardamom Powder- Stir in the slivered almonds, and raisins if using any, followed by cardamom powder. Incorporate the ingredients together for another 1-2 minutes. Serve warm.
How to make Sooji Halwa (Sheera) in Instant Pot
- Heat Ghee in the Instant Pot
- Add the sooji to the pot and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir constantly to prevent burning as the sooji toasts.
- Scrape the bottom of the pot so no sooji sticks.
- Add sugar, water, and saffron strands (if using), then mix well.
- Scrape the bottom again to loosen any stuck sooji with the liquids.
- Secure the lid, seal the vent, and pressure cook for 2 minutes.
- Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
- Open the lid, garnish with nuts, dried fruits, and dried flowers.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
| Mistake | Result | Expert Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Not roasting sooji properly | Sooji will taste raw and the color won't darken | Roast until golden and aromatic |
| Adding cold water | Lumpy texture | Use warm water or at room temperature and stir constantly |
| Too less ghee | Dry texture and raw taste | Stick to the recommended amount. This is a rich dessert. Rather eat in moderation. |
| Not stirring enough | Uneven lumpy texture | Keep stirring continuously |
My favorite dishes to pair with Sheera
- Halwa Puri Channe definitely tops the list.
- I also like to pair it with Rassedar Aloo & my Nani's Chole recipe.
Final Thoughts
Whether you make it for a festival, prashad, or just a sweet craving, this recipe is sure to bring warmth and nostalgia to your home. Try making it and share your experience with us in the comments and your creations with us on Instagram!
More Recipes to try
Melt-In-The Mouth Sooji Halwa / Sheera Recipe
Servings:
servingsCalories:
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sooji Semolina
- 1 cup Ghee
- ¾ cup Sugar can also be adjusted to taste
- 3 cups Water - Or milk
- 1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
- ¼ cup Almonds optional
- 1 tablespoon dried crushed Rose Petals optional
- Raisins optional but recommended
Instructions
Stove Top Sooji Halwa Recipe
- Roast the Semolina - Heat ghee in a pan and add the sooji. Roast it on a medium flame, stirring continuously, until it turns golden brown and aromatic.
- Cook & Stir - Add the water, followed by sugar keep stirring until the mixture thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
- Add Almonds, Raisins & Cardamom Powder- Stir in the slivered almonds, and raisins if using any, followed by cardamom powder. Incorporate the ingredients together for another 1-2 minutes. Serve warm.
Instant Pot Sheera Recipe
- Heat Ghee in the Instant Pot
- Add the sooji to the pot and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir constantly to prevent burning as the sooji toasts.
- Scrape the bottom of the pot so no sooji sticks.
- Add sugar, water, and saffron strands (if using), then mix well.
- Scrape the bottom again to loosen any stuck sooji with the liquids.
- Secure the lid, seal the vent, and pressure cook for 2 minutes.
- Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
- Open the lid, garnish with nuts, dried fruits, and dried flowers.
- Serve warm & enjoy
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