Desi has an incorrigible sweet tooth, and after I went vegan, he was, I think, secretly worried for it.
But soon enough I started experimenting with vegan alternatives to baked goods like cookies and cakes and got better and better at them with time. However, Indian sweets, to which most of us from India are unreasonably addicted, were another matter altogether.
While the role of non-vegan ingredients in baked goods is complementary or even purely functional-- they serve as binders or help with the rising, etc-- milk plays a central role in Indian sweets. In fact, most Indian sweets, with the exception of jalebi to my knowledge and some lentil-based kheers (a fluid Indian pudding), are dairy-based. At the very least, they call on you to add a dollop of ghee here and there which gives them their unique flavor.
Some sweets are easier to veganize than others: Sheera, for instance, which I blogged about not so long ago. Kaju Katli is another favorite Indian sweet that's not at all hard to make without any dairy ingredients.
But today, I want to share my recipe for vegan kheer. The ingredient proportions I follow for my kheer are actually meant for rice pudding, but I like my kheer thick and rice pudding really just is kheer, minus a few spices and flavorings.
I used almond milk, my preferred dairy substitute for Indian sweets because of its thick, rich consistency and wonderful nutty flavor. Soy milk is not as good an option because it does have a rather unique and strong flavor that enhances some baked goods and pancakes, but would not be as pleasant in the kheer.
I also added some cardamom which is my favorite spice and which lends a beyond-sublime flavor to sweets.
The kheer turned out quite amazing. It looks a little browner than regular rice kheer, but that's because I use turbinado sugar which is brown and also because I added a bit of vanilla extract which I love in anything and which is particularly dashing in kheer.
Desi, who has been going around claiming he's "cutting down on sweets," couldn't keep his hands off this kheer, and proclaimed it as good as the original. Good enough for me!
More vegan Indian sweets
Vegan Almond Kheer (Rice Pudding)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup basmati rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- 4 cups almond milk
- ½ cup sugar (add up to another ¼ cup if you want to make the kheer sweeter)
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup nuts (like almonds, cashews or pistachios, either or a mix)
- 2 tbsp golden raisins
- ¾ tsp cardamom powder (seeds from about 10 pods, crushed)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Heat the rice and the water until they come to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed by the rice.
- Add to this the almond milk, vanilla, and ½ to ¾ cups of sugar, depending on how sweet you want it to be.
- Let the kheer simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened. Let it remain a little fluid because it will thicken as it stands.
- Heat the oil in a small skillet.
- Add the nuts and stir until lightly browned. Add the raisins and cardamom powder and stir for about a minute.
- Pour over the kheer.
- Enjoy!
- Tip: This kheer tastes great warm, but I love it most chilled
Nutrition
Love vegan almond kheer? Check out more Indian vegan recipes on Holy Cow Vegan.
Excellent. I want to try added chopped dates as one reviewer recommended. In a month spent in India years ago, my daughter and I ate kheer everywhere we went, and this measures up. Thank you!
So happy to hear! 🙂
Hi ,
while I am trying to cook this the almond milk is separating a bit. How to prevent it(i m cooking in a low flame)
Thanks,
Sweta
This is great. For a protein rich twist, I make with white quinoa instead of rice.
Hi!
Just came across your recipe. Going to try if for an Indian dinner party I'm having this week. How many days can this be made in advance?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Jess, it will stay in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for about two to three days.
Can a sugar substitute such as agave, splenda or stevia be used? I'm both gluten intolerant and diabetic.
Hi, yes, you can use a substitute. I can't advise on proportions but taste as you go. Good luck!
Thanks for inspiration 🙂 I did no sugar method: few cups rice milk, 4 dates, 1 banana, sunflower seeds, two bags yogi calming tea (only cardamom I had!) cinnamon, vanilla extract, blended, then boiled and simmered with rice. I had to try not to drink all the recipe! It was better than a Mexican horchata!
Sounds delicious, Kyle! Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
I can't thank you enough for this recipe. Tonight is the second time I've made this and it is fantastic!! Thank you for your blog and all the work you put into your recipes. You are a gem!!
Just made this especially for a special occasion I am observing (start of Ramadan) and used brown rice instead of white rice. Turned out pretty good; thanks so much for posting the recipe...I'm always trying to incorporate almond milk in south asian recipes as much as possible (in an attempt to reduce dairy intake) and really happy to come across this.
Best regards to you,
SJ