Firni (Afghan Cardamom and Rose Milk Pudding)
Local name: فرنی
In short: A smooth, set milk pudding thickened with cornstarch and scented with cardamom and rose water, topped with crushed pistachios. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 3 h 20 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 230 kcal
Firni is the pale, silky milk pudding served at Afghan weddings, Eid gatherings and the end of family meals. Milk is thickened with a little cornstarch, sweetened gently and perfumed with cardamom and rose water, then chilled until just set. Crushed pistachios and almonds go on top, and some cooks add a thread of saffron. The texture is the point, so cook it slowly and stir constantly.
Instructions
- Whisk the cornstarch with 150 ml (2/3 cup) of the cold milk in a bowl until completely smooth, with no lumps.
- Heat the remaining milk and the sugar in a heavy pan over medium heat, stirring, until it steams and the sugar dissolves. Do not let it boil.
- Whisk the cornstarch mixture again, then pour it into the pan in a thin stream, whisking all the time.
- Cook over low to medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly and scraping the corners, until the milk thickens to a custard that coats the back of a spoon.
- Stir in the cardamom, rose water and saffron, if using, and cook for 1 minute more.
- Pour into 6 small bowls. Cool for 20 minutes, then chill for at least 3 hours until set. Top with the pistachios and almonds just before serving.
Tips
- Stir constantly, especially at the bottom and corners, or the milk will catch and form lumps. If any lumps appear, strain the pudding through a fine sieve.
- No rose water? Use 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract instead. For a firmer pudding that can be unmolded, add 1 tablespoon more cornstarch.
Questions and answers
How long does firni keep?
Up to 3 days in the fridge. Press plastic wrap onto the surface while it cools to stop a skin from forming.
Can I use plant milk?
Yes. Oat or soy milk will set well with the cornstarch, but the pudding will be a little less creamy than one made with whole milk.
How is firni different from custard?
Firni is thickened with cornstarch rather than eggs, so it is lighter and more delicate, with the flavor led by cardamom and rose.
How long does it take to make Firni (Afghan Cardamom and Rose Milk Pudding)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Firni (Afghan Cardamom and Rose Milk Pudding)?
About 230 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 230 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 80 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
