Firni is a Central and South Asian dessert made from finely ground rice, milk, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom and saffron. It is a popular sweet dish in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Firni is typically prepared by slowly cooking ground rice in milk until it reaches a smooth, thick consistency. It is then sweetened and flavored with aromatics like rose water or kewra (screwpine essence) and garnished with nuts such as almonds or pistachios.
Firni is usually served chilled, often in small clay dishes known as mitti bowls, which help to cool the dessert quickly and add an earthy flavor. Unlike similar rice-based desserts like kheer, firni uses ground rice, giving it a finer texture. It is commonly prepared for festive occasions, weddings, and religious celebrations, and is regarded as a symbol of hospitality in South Asian culture.