Traditional Paneer Kheer Recipe At Home 

Paneer kheer is a delicious and authentic Indian dessert which is made using soft paneer,milk, sugar, and a few varieties of dry fruits. This traditional sweet is loved by everyone because of its creamy texture and its comforting homemade taste. When the soft paneer pieces mix with thickened milk, it makes every spoon of the dessert mouth-watering. 

In many Indian households, paneer kheer is prepared during festivals, family gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions. The aroma of this dessert which is brought using cardamoms, along with those crunchy nuts gives a festive feeling and feels special. I personally enjoy preparing paneer kheer because even if it looks fancy to make, it is one of the easiest recipes to prepare at home. I like serving this dessert when it is chilled during family gatherings as it tastes refreshing and delicious when it is cold. Garnishing this dessert with almonds, pistachios, and saffron makes the dessert look beautiful and perfect for celebrations. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

One of my favourite things about paneer kheer recipe is its rich and creamy texture which is prepared by soft paneer pieces mixed with thickened milk. It feels like a special dessert even though it is made using simple ingredients. I like this recipe because it gives a festive and fancy vibe, but it is actually very easy to make. The steps included in this recipe are very simple and do not require any cooking skills making it perfect for beginners. 

Another reason I enjoy making this yummy dessert is that it uses simple and basic ingredients like milk, paneer, sugar, and dry fruits which are easily available in most kitchens. You do not need expensive ingredients to make this dessert feel special. This recipe is usually made at homes during family gatherings, festivals, or special occasions because it looks beautiful, presentable, and everyone enjoys eating it together. The best thing about this recipe is that you can serve it either warm or chilled and it will still taste wonderful. Sometimes I serve it warm during cold winter evenings, and sometimes during summer, I prefer it to be chilled because it is refreshing. 

Recipe Ingredients 

• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated paneer
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped dry fruits like almonds and pistachios
• Few strands of saffron 

Ingredient Tips 

1. Try to use fresh homemade paneer for this recipe to achieve a soft texture. Homemade paneer is best because it blends smoothly with the milk and absorbs the flavour nicely. If you want to use store-bought paneer or if you don’t have time to make homemade paneer, soak it in warm water for a few minutes before using.
2. The sweetness of paneer kheer can be easily adjusted based on your personal preferences. Some people enjoy mildly sweet desserts while others prefer more sweetness. I usually add sugar little by little to taste the sweetness of the kheer.
3. Using full-fat milk gives the best results to paneer kheer as it makes it thick, creamy, and rich in texture. You may also use low-fat milk but the kheer may not become creamy as expected.
4. I personally enjoy adding dry fruits like cashews, raisins, almonds, and pistachios which are lightly roasted before adding it to the paneer kheer. They add a nice crunch and sweetness to the dessert in every bite.
5. If you want to add a more traditional touch to the dessert, you can add jaggery instead of sugar. 
6. Don’t add too much paneer to the dessert thinking it will make the kheer thick and creamy. Always maintain a balanced quantity of paneer so the dessert stays creamy as well as smooth. 

Step-by-step method

Step 1: Boil the milk

1. Take a heavy-bottomed pan or a kadai and pour 2 cups of full-fat milk and start boiling it on low to medium flame. Keep stirring the milk occasionally so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. 
2. After a few minutes, the milk starts getting slightly thick and always slowly cooks the milk as it gives a rich and creamy texture to kheer.
3. Continue boiling the milk for about 10 minutes until it reduces its quantity slightly. 

Step 2: Adding paneer to the milk

4. Grate the paneer pieces beforehand and place it in a bowl or a plate. Once the milk starts becoming thick, slowly add the grated paneer into the pan while keeping the flame low.
5. Stir the mixture gently so that paneer mixes well into the milk. Cook it for about 5 minutes. 
6. During this time, the paneer absorbs the flavours and becomes soft and creamy in texture. The kheer will slowly start becoming thick.

7. Avoid cooking the paneer for a longer period of time as it may become chewy. 
8. Now add sugar according to your taste and mix it properly until dissolved. Then add a pinch of cardamom to the milk and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes.
9. At this stage, you will see the kheer looks smooth, creamy, and thicker in consistency. 

Step 3: Add nuts and saffron 

10. After a few minutes, add chopped dry fruits like almonds, cashews, pistachios, and raisins to the kheer. You can also add a few strands of saffron which helps the kheer add extra flavour and color.
11. Mix all the ingredients gently and cook it for about a minute. I love adding extra nuts on top because they give a nice crunch and make the kheer look festive. I personally enjoy adding extra pistachios on top because they make the kheer look presentable and beautiful while serving.

Step 4: Serving the kheer

12. Turn off the flame and allow the paneer kheer to cool down at room temperature so it can be prepared to be chilled. You can also serve it warm if you prefer a comforting dessert during cold winter days.
13. During summers or random evenings, I like to refrigerate the kheer for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Chilled paneer kheer tastes the best and it feels refreshing after meals.
14. You can decorate it with a few more nuts and saffron strands on top of it. Your delicious paneer kheer is ready to be served! 

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• One of the common mistakes while making paneer kheer is boiling the milk on high flame. This can burn the milk at the bottom of the pan and affects the overall taste of the kheer. Always cook the milk slowly on low to medium flame for perfect consistency and texture.
• Avoid overcooking the paneer because it may become chewy and hard. The paneer must be soft to give the best texture to the kheer, so always cook it only for a few minutes.
• Do not add paneer directly into very hot milk because the texture may become rubbery. It is better to put the flame on low first and then slowly add paneer to the milk while gently stirring it.
• Since milk can easily stick to the bottom of the pan while cooking and the kheer may form lumps, always keep stirring the mixture occasionally.
• Hard paneer does not blend properly into the kheer and it may spoil the soft texture of the dessert. Always use fresh and soft paneer for the best results.
• Adding dry fruits make the kheer look presentable but adding too many of it can make the dessert feel heavy. So always add dry fruits in a balanced quantity. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Can paneer kheer be served hot?

Yes, paneer kheer can be served hot as well as chilled. Many people enjoy eating it warm during winter evenings or after meals because it feels refreshing.

2. Can I freeze paneer kheer?

Generally, freezing of paneer kheer is not recommended because the texture of the milk and paneer can change after thawing. 

3. Why did my paneer kheer become too thick?

Paneer becomes thick in cases like, if it is cooked for a longer time on high flame or if refrigerated for many hours. To adjust the consistency, you can add a little warm milk before serving.

4. Can condensed milk be added to paneer kheer?

Yes, condensed milk can be added to the paneer kheer for a richer and creamier taste. If you’re adding condensed milk, the amount of sugar must be reduced slightly because it is already sweet. 

5. What is the best substitute for cardamom powder in paneer kheer?

Rose water or saffron are the best substitutes for cardamom powder if it is not available. They add extra flavour to the paneer kheer.