Paneer kheer, also known as paneer payasam or chena kheer, is a delicious and creamy Indian dessert made with milk, paneer (cottage cheese), sugar, cardamom powder and nuts. This simple kheer can be made in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect dessert when you want something rich and sweet. Learn how to make this easy and creamy paneer kheer with step by step pictures.
Paneer Kheer
I first came across this paneer kheer recipe online and loved how simple it was to make. I was surprised by how creamy and delicious it turned out with just a few basic ingredients.
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This paneer payasam can be served warm or chilled. I personally love it cold, so I let the kheer cool to room temperature and refrigerate it for a couple of hours before serving. Garnish it generously with chopped nuts to make this quick dessert look extra special.
About Paneer Kheer (Chena Kheer)
Paneer kheer, also known as chena kheer or paneer payasam, is a popular Bengali dessert made with fresh paneer, milk and sugar. Chena or paneer is commonly used in many Bengali sweets like rasgulla, rasmalai, cham cham, sandesh, mishti doi and many more.
I love this paneer kheer because it is rich, creamy and tastes very similar to my favorite basundi. In this recipe, the freshly prepared paneer is cooked in sweetened milk until it becomes like a thick creamy pudding. It is also a simple way to add protein rich paneer to a dessert and can be enjoyed without guilt.
You can use either homemade or store bought paneer for this recipe. I personally prefer fresh homemade paneer because it gives the best texture and taste. But store bought paneer works well too, especially when you want to make a quick dessert.
This paneer kheer is perfect for festivals like Holi, Raksha bandhan, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Onam, as well as other special occasions.
Similar Recipes
If you love making different types of kheer, you can also try my rice kheer, carrot kheer, apple kheer, and badam kheer.
This has become one of my favorite desert. Not only it is easy to make, but it taste really really delicious and cools out body instantly. It is best served chilled, perfect desert for this summer.
This kheer can be made on any occasions to make it special. Instead of making your own chenna, you can use store bought paneer as well. If using that, crumble it and soak it in warm water before using.
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Ingredients
- Milk : Full fat milk is used to make the chena(fresh paneer) and to make the kheer base.
- Yogurt : Yogurt is used to curdle the milk to make fresh paneer.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk : this adds thick, creamy texture and sweet milky taste.
- Sugar : Sugar added for the sweetness. Adjust the amount according to your taste.
- Cardamom powder : Cardamom powder adds a lovely aroma and flavour to the kheer.
- Nuts : For garnishing, almonds, pistachios and cashews are used.
Step by Step Pictures
Making Fresh Paneer (Chena)
1)Start by making paneer. Take milk in a pot and place on medium hight heat. let it come to a full boil.
2)Keep mixing as the milk boils, so the milk doesn’t catch at the bottom and burn.
3)Once milk starts boiling, reduce the heat to low. Add in yogurt in it and gently mix the milk.
4)The milk will start to curdle immediately. Instead of yogurt, you can add in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
5)Once it starts to curdle, remove it from flame and set aside so it curdles completely.
6)Now strain the curdled milk through a muslin cloth lined sieve. Place the sieve under running tap water and wash this with lots of cold water to remove the excess sour taste. Squeeze it gently to remove excess whey from the curds. Set aside so it drains completely.
Make Kheer Base
7)Meanwhile you can reduce the milk for the kheer. Take 1 liter of milk in a sauce pan and place on high heat.
8) Let the milk gets reduced by half. Keep mixing so the milk doesn’t burn at the bottom.
9)Once the milk is reduced, add in sugar and condensed milk and mix well. Boil this for another 10 minutes.
Making Paneer Kheer
10)Add in cardamom for flavour. You can use vanilla as well.
11)Now add in the strained crumbled paneer into reduced milk mixture and cook for just one minute on low heat. Take it off the heat.
12)Don’t over boil the kheer, just boil it for few minutes on low heat.
13)Add in chopped almonds. Pour this into a bowl, Chill this in fridge for few hours before serving.
Expert Tips
For extra flavour : Add a few saffron strands or little rose water for a lovely aroma and taste.
Don’t overcook : Add paneer towards the end and cook only for a few minutes. Overcooking can make the paneer chewy.
Consistency matters : Paneer kheer thickens as it cools, so keep it slightly thinner while cooking.
Quick version : Store bought paneer can be used for a quicker version. Soak them in warm water for a few minutes, then grate it for a soft and smooth texture.
Storage : Allow the paneer kheer to cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best to be consumed within 2 to 3 days.
Serving : Paneer kheer can be served warm or chilled. I personally love it chilled as it becomes more thick, creamy and delicious. Garnish with chopped almonds, pistachios, cashews or a few rose petals before serving.
FAQ
Q. Can I use store bought paneer ?
Yes, you can use store bought paneer for this recipe. Homemade paneer is preferred because it is softer and gives a creamier texture.
Q. Do I need to grate the paneer ?
You can either grate or crumble the paneer. Fresh homemade paneer can be crumbled and added directly to the milk. If using store bought paneer, grate them for a soft and creamy texture.
Q. Can I add any flavours to the kheer ?
Absolutely ! You can add saffron, rose water or even a little caramel syrup for extra flavour and aroma.
Q. Can I add jaggery instead of sugar ?
Yes, you can use jaggery instead of sugar to make it even more healthier.
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Paneer Kheer Recipe (Chena Kheer, Paneer Payasam Recipe)
Paneer kheer, also known as paneer payasam or chena kheer, is a delicious and creamy Indian dessert made with milk, paneer (cottage cheese), sugar, cardamom powder and nuts. This simple kheer can be made in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect dessert when you want something rich and sweet. Learn how to make this easy and creamy paneer kheer with step by step pictures.
Ingredients
For Making Paneer (Chena)
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Paneer Kheer Recipe (Chena Kheer, Paneer Payasam Recipe)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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