Sheer Khurma (Date-Sweetened Vermicelli Pudding) (2025)

The classic dessert for Eid, Sheer Khurma is decadently delicious, sweetened only with dates, and enriched with a creamy nut paste. You won’t miss the refined sugar or heavy cream in this version—it’s more nutrient-dense, with the same authentic taste!

Sheer Khurma (Vermicelli Pudding)

If there’s one festive dessert most common for Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha across the Indian subcontinent, it’s this easy yet stunningly delicious Sheer Khurma. “Sheer” means milk, and “Khurma” (or Khorma) means dates in Persian—so, essentially, it’s a date-sweetened milk. It’s a Mughlai delicacy that combines nuts and dried fruits, reflecting its Persian roots.

Despite its name, the modern versions of Sheer Khurma use sugar to sweeten the dessert, with only a small amount of chopped dry dates for flavor. I stay true to its origins, by sweetening it entirely with dates, which brings a natural, lovely sweetness. After all, milk and dates pair perfectly together—just like in our delicious date shakes.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Authentic taste: It keeps the essence of the conventional recipe while making it more nourishing.
• Naturally Sweetened: By using dates instead of refined sugar, the dessert has a natural, rich sweetness that’s far more satisfying, while keeping it wholesome.
• More Nutrient-Dense: The addition of nuts and spices makes this dessert not only indulgent but also packed with healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. It’s the perfect balance of comfort and nourishment.
• Creamy with Healthier Fats: While many recipes use heavy cream or condensed milk to achieve richness, I blend milk with nuts to create a creamy texture with healthier fats. This reduces fat and sugar content while enhancing flavor, making this version just as spectacular—if not better—than the conventional ones.

Key Ingredient Notes

• Whole Milk: Use for a rich, creamy consistency.
• Vermicelli (Seviyan): Look for very fine, roasted vermicelli (also called “seviyan”) available at Indian grocery stores or online. Avoid thicker vermicelli, as it won’t give you the same classic texture.
• Cashews or Whole Blanched Almonds: These are blended with milk to add richness, replacing the need for heavy cream.
• Dry Dates (chuara): These hard, fully dried dates (often found at Indian stores) are traditional for Sheer Khurma, adding a chewy texture and caramel-like sweetness.
• Medjool Dates: These soft, moist dates are easier to make into a date paste and are used to naturally sweeten the dish. You can also use dry dates to make the paste, but it requires more effort. Other sweeteners like coconut sugar or maple syrup can be used but will alter the flavor slightly.
• Nuts (Cashews, Sliced Almonds, Slivered Pistachios): A classic combination that adds color, texture, and flavor.
• Raisins: Plump bursts of sweetness and a traditional ingredient in this dessert.
• Chironji Seeds and Musk Melon Seeds: These seeds give an authentic touch to the dessert. Chironji seeds have an almond-like flavor, while musk melon seeds add a delicate, crisp texture. Available at Indian stores or online.
• Milk Powder or Khoya: Many recipes use condensed milk for a richer taste, but I prefer milk powder for ease and better control over the sugar content. Khoya can also be used (available at Indian stores). Whole milk or non-fat milk powder are ok.
• Flavors: Ground cardamom is traditional. Just a hint of nutmeg adds a nice touch. It’s a great flavor combination and works well with the subtle flavor from the saffron strands.
• Ghee: Used to toast the nuts and add richness.

Step-by-Step Visual Overview

Here’s a quick overview of the process to make Sheer Khurma. A printable recipe with exact measurements can be found at the end of the post.

• Make Nut Paste and Date Paste: Blend soaked cashews (or almonds) with milk until smooth. Blend chopped dates with milk until smooth. Set both aside.

• Roast Dried Fruits and Nuts: Heat ghee in a saucepan. Add cashews, dry dates, raisins, almonds, chironji, and melon seeds. Roast until the nuts turn golden and the raisins plump. Stir in pistachios. Remove from the pan.

• Toast Vermicelli and Cook in Milk: In the same pan, toast broken vermicelli in ghee for 1 minute. Transfer to the plate with the roasted dried fruits and nuts. Boil milk in the pan, add the toasted vermicelli, and simmer for 3-5 minutes until cooked.

• Add Flavor and Sweetness: Stir in milk powder, nut paste, cardamom, and nutmeg. Add half of the roasted dried fruits and nuts. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Add the date paste, adjust sweetness, and top with the remaining roasted dried fruits, nuts, and saffron. Turn off the heat. Enjoy hot or cold!

How to Serve

• Sheer Khurma is traditionally served as is and is one of the first desserts enjoyed by the faithful after completing the Eid prayers.
• For a festive presentation: Serve in elegant footed bowls with accompanying silverware. Garnish with additional nuts, dried fruits, and dried rose petals. Some people prefer it warm, while others enjoy it cold.

Variations

Sheer Khurma is naturally vegetarian, egg-free, and soy-free. Here are some variations to suit different dietary needs.

• Vegan, Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk and milk powder, and substitute coconut oil for ghee (though this will add a different flavor). Avocado oil is a lighter option.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free thin vermicelli (seviyan).
• Nut-Free: Try pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes instead of the nuts, though the flavor will change.
• Higher Protein: Add a couple of tablespoons of hemp hearts, a subtle protein-rich seed that blends easily into the dish.
• Less Rich: Skip the nut paste and reduce the ghee or use avocado oil as a substitute. You can use a cornstarch paste to thicken the pudding instead of the nut paste.

Nutrition Notes

This Sheer Khurma is a more nutrient-dense dessert that can be enjoyed in moderation. It is sweetened naturally with dates, providing antioxidants, fiber, and natural sugars that provide sustained energy. The mix of nuts adds healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc. Milk provides calcium and vitamin D for bone health.

More Milk Based Desserts

• Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
• Almond Pudding (Keskul)
• Mahalabia (With Chia Seeds)

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