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Bengali Payesh, Bengali Rice Kheer

Tarla Dalal
21 February, 2025


Table of Content
Bengali rice kheer recipe | Bengali chaler payesh | bhoger payesh | with 23 amazing images.
In all regional cuisines of India, Kheer made of milk and rice is very popular. This Bengali rice kheer is also a variant of this milk and rice kheer. Learn how to make Bengali rice kheer recipe | Bengali chaler payesh | bhoger payesh |
Bengali Rice Kheer, or "Chaler Payesh" as it's known in Bengali, is a creamy and fragrant rice pudding that holds a special place in Bengali cuisine. It's a staple dessert prepared for celebrations, festivals, and special occasions, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. This traditional dish is made by slowly simmering rice in milk, infused with aromatic spices like saffron and cardamom, until the rice becomes soft and the pudding reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
The magic of a good Chaler Payesh lies in its simplicity and the quality of ingredients. What is more special about this recipe is it’s caramelized flavour. Traditionally, a special variety of fragrant rice called Gobindobhog or Ambemohar rice is used, lending a unique aroma and flavor to the kheer. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in a rich and comforting dessert.
It's often finished with roasted almonds, cashews and pistachio, adding a delightful crunch to the creamy texture. Whether served warm or chilled, Chaler Payesh is a true taste of Bengali culinary heritage.
pro tips to make Bengali rice kheer: 1. Full-fat milk will give the kheer a rich and creamy texture. 2. The best rice for kheer is a short-grain, aromatic rice like Gobindobhog. If you can't find it, you can use other short-grain rice like Basmati or even broken rice. 3. Soaking the rice for at least 30 minutes will help it cook faster and more evenly.
Enjoy Bengali rice kheer recipe | Bengali chaler payesh | bhoger payesh | with detailed step by step photos.
Tags
Preparation Time
10 Mins
Cooking Time
32 Mins
Total Time
42 Mins
Makes
4 servings
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
4 cups full fat milk
1/4 cup ambemohar rice
1/4 tsp saffron (kesar) strands
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp ghee
1/4 cup chopped mixed nuts
1/2 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder
Method
- To make Bengali rice kheer recipe, wash and soak the rice in enough water for 30 minutes. Drain and keep aside.
- Heat the milk in a deep non-stick pan, boil on a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the rice and saffron, mix gently and cook on a medium flame for 20 to 25 minutes, while mashing the rice.
- Meanwhile, heat ghee in a small non-stick pan, add the mixed chopped nuts and sauté on a medium flame for a minute, while stirring continuously. Keep aside.
- In another small pan, add sugar and caramelize it on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour the caramel over the kheer and keep stirring continuously until well combined.
- Add the sauteed nuts, cardamom powder and mix well. Refrigerate the kheer for atleast 1 hour.
- Serve Bengali rice kheer chilled.
Bengali Payesh, Bengali Rice Kheer recipe with step by step photos
Bengali rice kheer recipe | Bengali chaler payesh | bhoger payesh | then do try other kheer recipes also:
1. doodhi kheer recipe | Indian style bottle gourd pudding | lauki ki kheer |
2. paneer kheer recipe | chenna payesh | Indian paneer kheer for upvas, vrat | paneer payasam |
See the below image of list of ingredients for making Bengali rice kheer recipe.

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To make Bengali rice kheer recipe | Bengali chaler payesh | bhoger payesh | wash and soak 1/4 cup ambemohar rice in enough water for 30 minutes. Soaking the rice for at least 30 minutes will help it cook faster and more evenly.
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Drain and keep aside.
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Heat 4 cups full fat milk in a deep non-stick pan.
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Boil on a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes.
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Add the soaked rice.
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Add ¼ tsp saffron (kesar) strands. Saffron has a subtle yet distinct flavor that is often described as slightly sweet, floral, and earthy. It adds a delicate complexity to the kheer, enhancing its overall taste.
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Mix gently and cook on a medium flame for 20 to 25 minutes, while mashing the rice well using a masher.
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Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp ghee in a small non-stick pan. Ghee contributes to the creamy and smooth texture of the kheer, making it melt in your mouth.
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Add ¼ cup chopped mixed nuts. Nuts add a delightful contrast in texture to the creamy, soft rice pudding. The crunchiness of the nuts complements the smooth kheer, making each bite more interesting.
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Sauté on a medium flame for a minute, while stirring continuously. Keep aside.
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In another small pan, add ½ cup sugar.
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Caramelize it on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes. Caramelized sugar gives the kheer a beautiful golden or light brown color, making it visually appealing. This is especially important in Bengali cuisine.
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Pour the caramel over the kheer.
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Keep stirring continuously until well combined.
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Add the sauteed nuts.
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Add ½ tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder. Cardamom is known for its strong and fragrant aroma. When added to kheer, it infuses the dessert with a delightful fragrance that makes it even more appealing.
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Mix well.
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Refrigerate the kheer for atleast 1 hour.
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Serve Bengali rice kheer recipe | Bengali chaler payesh | bhoger payesh | chilled.
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Full-fat milk will give the kheer a rich and creamy texture.
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The best rice for kheer is a short-grain, aromatic rice like Gobindobhog. If you can't find it, you can use other short-grain rice like Basmati or even broken rice.
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Soaking the rice for at least 30 minutes will help it cook faster and more evenly.
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Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
Energy | 420 cal |
Protein | 11.2 g |
Carbohydrates | 43.2 g |
Fiber | 0.5 g |
Fat | 17.3 g |
Cholesterol | 34 mg |
Sodium | 40.4 mg |
Click here to view Calories for Bengali Payesh, Bengali Rice Kheer
The Nutrient info is complete

Charulatha N.T
March 13, 2025, midnight
It was a delight to try this recipe out and bengalis are known to have a sweet history so how could this go wrong, It tasted heavenly when we ate chilled.