Rava Kesari Ladoo ( Instant Pot & Pressure Cooker Method)

Rava Kesari Ladoo -simplest & the most populous rava kesari made in ladoo form. Sharing the pressure cooker and instant pot method which makes the moist ladoo ever.

What is Rava Kesari Ladoo?

Rava Kesari needs no introduction. It is one of the traditional Indian desserts made all across India. It’s a pudding made with roasted semolina, ghee, sugar, saffron (for color) and cardamom.

Depending on the region, it is called by different names. In the north it is called Suji ka Halwa ( without the saffron) and in Karnataka it is called Kesari Bath.

Suji halwa is a favorite dessert at home. Here are some other variations of the halwa – suji halwa with condensed milk, suji and wheat flour halwa.

I have taken the classic rava kesari recipe and made them into ladoo. They are just the perfect portion to serve for festivals or any kind of celebration.

Also I have used my pressure cooker to make these ladoo. They can also be made in the instant pot.

In 2018 I shared a Rava Kesari recipe made in pressure cooker. Ever since I have been making it in the cooker.

Why make the Rava Kesari Ladoo in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker?

1. Stove top method makes the ladoo hard unless we add ton of ghee ( 1:1 or 1:¾ ratio)
2. We just need 10 minutes of hands-on time and 20 minutes of rest time.
3. It is not sticky and has a beautiful shine to it.
4. Gives the perfect texture and taste 
5. The best part is, it stays soft and moist all day.

You can use either an instant pot or traditional pressure cooker to make the kesari bath ladoo. Just keep in mind – when making small quantities use a small cooker or instant pot not the big ones.

Ingredients:

Semolina- called as suji or rava in India. We will be using the regular semolina.

Saffron – saffron gives these ladoo a beautiful yellow color. If you cant find it, you can skip it.

Ghee – is clarified butter. Ghee is available in Indian store and also in few regular grocery stores.

Method –

Pressure Cooker method –

1- To a small pressure cooker add the water, saffron and sugar. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes. If you are making a small quantity like I did, definitely recommend using a small pressure cooker to make the halwa.

2- While the sugar water is simmering. heat a pan and add one teaspoon of ghee and add the cashew. Saute till light golden. Remove and set a side.

3 & 4- Add the rest of the ghee and semolina to the pan and roast the rava.

5- We need to roast the rava and boil the water sugar mixture parallelly. Rava needs to be hot when we add to the boiling sugar water.

6 – Roast the rava in medium flame till it slightly changes color and you can feel nice aroma.

7- Bring the sugar mixture to a full boil ( you will also see the saffron has also released a beautiful yellow color to it).

8- Add the roasted hot rava to the boiling sugar water mixture.

9 – Initially it will bubble up, mix it well and cook for 30 seconds ( I literally counted 30 seconds).

10 & 11 – Turn off the stove. Close the pressure cooker lid and place the weight (whistle). Set a side for 20 minutes. Do not get tempted to open the lid.The steam inside the cooker, combined with hot sugar syrup will cook the rava.

12- After 20 minutes open the cooker and add the crushed cardamom.

13 – Mix it well, you will observe that the rava has absorbed all the moisture and is well cooked. When you fold the rava kesari, it holds well. Let it cool down for 10 minutes. But if you feel the kesari is very soft that you can’t form a ladoo, turn on the stove and cook it for 1- 3 minutes.

14 & 15 – Transfer the rava kesari to a plate and mix it well.

16 & 17 – Make a medium size ladoo and place a cashew on the top. Repeat with the rest of the mixture, I could make 15 ladoo with this recipe.

Instant Pot Method –

Follow the same procedure as you would with stove top method, but we will use instant pot to cook the sugar syrup.

1- Heat a pan and add one teaspoon of ghee and add the cashew. Saute till light golden. Remove and set a side.

2 & 3 – Add the rest of the ghee and semolina to the pan and roast the rava.

4 – Turn on the instant pot on saute mode. Add the water, saffron and sugar. Let the sugar melt and saffron release its color.

5 – Roast the rava in medium flame till it slightly changes color and you can feel nice aroma.

6 – Meanwhile the sugar water mixture would come to a boil.

7 – Bring it to a rolling boil and then add the hot rava mixture ( though I added it , please do not add cashew while cooking the rava) Mix it well to remove any lumps.

8. 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.

9 & 10 – After 15 minutes, open the lid. Mix it well and add crushed cardamom and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.

11 & 12- Make the ladoo, top it with a cashew and enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

More Ladoo recipes –

Easy Coconut Ladoo

5 minute Almond Flour Ladoo

Ricotta Cheese Ladoo

Paan Ladoo with Gulkand

If you tried these Rava Kesari Ladoo, do share your feedback in the comment section below. For more recipes, follow me on  Facebook and Instagram.