Instant Pot Sooji Halwa (Rava Kesari)

Sooji Halwa is a delicious melt in the mouth Indian pudding made with suji (semolina), ghee, sugar, nuts and cardamom.

Simple dessert, but quite popular in India. Sharing the instant pot method of making sooji halwa, this method of cooking keeps the halwa moist for long time.

By far, Sooji halwa has to be one of the easiest Indian desserts ever made. It is often made during festivals, puja and special occasions.

Sooji halwa is called by different names in different parts of the country. In the North, sooji halwa is also called sheera. In the South, it is called as Rava Kesari or Kesari bath. Kesari is saffron which is added to this halwa , gives a beautiful pale yellow color. Hence the name rava kesari.

Why make Sooji Halwa in Instant Pot?

Though making sooji halwa in the stove top is easy, the halwa tends to get hard once it is cooled. This instant pot method of cooking keeps the halwa moist for long time.

Have you ever tried Saravana Bhavan rava kesari? They make the best rava kesari in the country…. I have tried to replicate that texture and taste. Hope you like it.

Lets see how to make instant pot rava kesari-

Ingredients needed to make Sooji Halwa ( Rava Kesari) –

How to make Sooji Halwa in the Instant Pot

Step 1- In a thick bottomed pan heat ¼ cup ghee and add the cashew and ½ cup suji (rava).

Step 2 – Mix all the ingredients.In low-medium flame roast the suji for 6-8 minutes, till the suji slightly changes color and cashew also roast. Remove and set a side. Do not brown the suji.

Step 3 – Press saute on the instant pot and add 1.5 cups of water, ¾ cup sugar and few crushed saffron strands ( saffron is optional).

Step 4- Mix it well and the let the sugar melt and bring the water to a rolling boil. Its important that the water and sugar come to a rolling boil. It takes about 6 minutes for the water to boil.

Step 5- Now add the cardamom powder, and roasted suji mixture. Mix it well to remove any lumps.

Step 6 – Cancel the saute mode and close the lid and adjust the vent to the sealing position. That’s it, we are not going to cook any further. The boiling sugar water will cook the suji. Do not disturb the instant pot for next 15 minutes.

Step 7- After 15 minutes do a natural pressure release and remove the lid. Add a table spoon of ghee and mix well. Moist sooji halwa is ready to be served.

How to make Best Suji Ka Halwa –

• Roast the sooji very well if not the halwa will become sticky.

• Add good amount of ghee and nuts.

• Bring water, sugar to a rolling boil before adding the suji.

• Add cardamom for beautiful aroma

Few more Instant Pot Indian Sweets–

Easy Badam Katli in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Kheer

Instant Pot Carrot Halwa

Here is the recipe for rava kesari in pressure cooker.

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