By Aditi Saraswat
July 29, 2026
Enjoy your fasting during Sawan with this creamy homemade makhana kheer that uses jaggery in place of sugar. Rich in every bite, enjoyable and easy to make, it's a wholesome vrat dessert that is perfect to include in your vrat thali.
2 cups makhana (fox nuts) 1 litre of full-fat milk ½ cup grated jaggery 1 tablespoon ghee ½ teaspoon cardamom powder 8–10 chopped almonds 8–10 chopped pistachios 1 tablespoon chopped cashews A few saffron strands (optional)
In a pan, heat ghee and roast the makhana for about 5 minutes so that they turn crisp. Crush half of the roasted makhana lightly to get the texture of kheer.
In a heavy pan, boil the milk, add the roasted makhana and let it simmer on a low flame for about 10 to 12 minutes until they turn soft.
Switch off the flame, let the kheer cool down a bit, then mix in the grated jaggery, cardamom powder, chopped almonds, pistachios and cashews.
Mix everything nicely and let it simmer gently on a low flame for another minute. Do not boil it.
Serve warm or chilled, as desired and garnish with extra chopped nuts and saffron.