Firni
If you've got ground cardomom, almonds and pistachio, you're most of the way to this dessert: about 50 minutes of cooking across 5 steps. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 5 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for saucepan and pan. At easy difficulty across 5 steps, it's a good one for a busy evening. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (3)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy Tree nuts
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Pour 1 cup of milk into a small bowl, add the cornstarch and whisk them well until smooth.
- Pour the rest of the milk into a non-stick saucepan, adding the sugar and cardamom (and rosewater, if desired) whilst cooking over medium heat.
- Before it starts to boil, slowly add the milk and cornstarch mixture to the pan, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture increases in thickness.
- Take the pan off the heat and pour into a large shallow serving bowl. Let it cool at room temperature, and then put in the refrigerator for about 1 – 2 hours.
- Finally, sprinkle your Firni with sliced almonds and pistachios and serve!
You'll use: Saucepan · Pan · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
- Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp cornstarch (as thickener)
Tips & common questions
How long does Firni take to make?
About 50 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 5 steps and 7 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of milk?
Try any unsweetened plant milk. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Firni vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Structured source recipe — not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Recipe data for Firni via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.