By Aditi Saraswat
July 21, 2026
Classic, creamy, and wonderfully aromatic at its best, matka firni is one dessert that never fails to amaze you. Prepared with simple everyday pantry ingredients such as rice and milk, it's a simple-to-make homemade delight that feels festive even on an ordinary day.
1 litre full-fat milk ¼ cup basmati rice 10–12 soft seedless dates ¼ tsp saffron strands ½ tsp green cardamom powder 2 tbsp almonds, chopped 2 tbsp pistachios, chopped 1 tsp rose water (optional) Dried rose petals, for garnish 4 small earthen pots (matkas)
Soak the basmati rice for about half an hour and grind to make a coarse paste out of it. Blend the soaked dates to make a smooth puree.
Boil the milk and mix in the ground rice paste. Cook this over low heat and mix it constantly until you see the mixture has begun to thicken.
Now, mix in the date puree, saffron, and cardamom powder to this and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the consistency turns creamy.
Remove from the pan and mix in some rose water, if preferred. Now, pour the warm firni into the earthen pots and let it cool down.
Keep it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours and garnish with chopped almonds, pistachios, and dried rose petals, then enjoy this creamy dessert.