5 from 12 votes
Sheera | Sooji Ka Halwa
Sheera, also known as Sooji Ka Halwa, is a semolina-based dessert cooked with ghee, milk, and sugar to create a creamy, fragrant Indian sweet. This version includes ripe banana for natural sweetness and texture, saffron for aroma and color, and is garnished with nuts and optional raisins for richness and bite. The halwa is smooth with a mildly grainy texture from roasted semolina, infused with warm cardamom and saffron spices.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Calories:
407 kcal
Course:
Dessert, Breakfast
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
- 1 cup sooji rava/semolina, fine
- ½ cup ghee see notes
- 1 banana sliced, ripe
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 pinch saffron
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ cup nuts almonds, pistachios, and cashews, chopped
- ¼ cup raisins optional
Instructions
- Add ghee and sooji to a pan and roast on medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes stirring continuously as sooji slowly turns to light golden brown color and aromatic.
- Turn the heat to low and add banana, smashing it with the back of the spatula as you mix in.
- Mix milk and water and heat in the microwave until it is hot but not boiling, about 3 minutes. Slowly and carefully add it to the pan stirring continuously. Be very careful while adding liquids may cause a lot of steam and the Sheera may start to splatter
- Once the liquids are fully mixed in, add saffron. Cover and cook on low heat for five minutes as the sooji will absorb all of the liquids.
- Add sugar, cardamom, and half of the nuts. Mix well and cook covered on low heat for 5 minutes. Sheera will continue to thicken as it cools down. Garnish with remaining nuts and raisins.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Roast the semolina with ghee on low to medium heat until light golden brown and aromatic for best flavor.
- Use equal amounts of semolina, ghee, and sugar to prepare prasad Sheera for religious offerings.
- Milk can be replaced with unsweetened plant-based milk like oat, almond, or soy milk for a dairy-free option.
- If allergic to nuts, omit them; the halwa remains delicious.
- Banana is optional but recommended if ripe for added natural sweetness and texture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
407kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
45mg
(15%)
Sodium
40mg
(2%)
Potassium
258mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
29g
(58%)
Vitamin A
94IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
108mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 407
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 407kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 40mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 258mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 94IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 108mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.