By Aditi Saraswat
March 17, 2026
Sheer khurma is one of the most loved desserts prepared on Eid, made with milk, vermicelli, dates, and chopped nuts. Rich, creamy, and lightly sweet, it’s a festive dish that is a must-have on every Eid spread.
1 litre of full-fat milk ½ cup vermicelli (seviyan) 8–10 dates, chopped 2 tbsp ghee 10–12 almonds, sliced 10–12 cashews, chopped 1 tbsp pistachios, sliced 3–4 green cardamoms, crushed 4 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste) 8–10 raisins Few saffron strands (optional) 1 tbsp chironji (optional)
In a pan, heat ghee and roast the vermicelli on a low flame until they appear golden brown, have an even colour and release a nutty aroma. Once done, take them out on a plate.
In the same pan, add a little more ghee and lightly fry some chopped almonds, cashews, raisins, and chironji until they turn aromatic and lightly golden.
In a pan, boil milk, then simmer for a few minutes until it gets a slightly thick consistency. Keep stirring in between so that it does not stick to the bottom.
Add roasted vermicelli and chopped dates to the simmered milk, so that they soften and release sweetness while cooking gently.
Now, add in sugar, cardamom, and some saffron strands, and stir well until everything mixes together and the dessert turns fragrant and rich in flavour.
Add the fried nuts, simmer again for 5-10 minutes, then let the sheer khurma rest for a few minutes so that it thickens a bit, then serve warm or cooled, as per preference.