Butterfly Pea Flower Kesari is a visually stunning South Indian sweet made using natural blue color extracted from butterfly pea flowers. This recipe stands out because it avoids artificial food colors and uses natural ingredients to create a beautiful, vibrant dessert.
Unlike traditional kesari that uses synthetic colors, this version uses butterfly pea flowers (sankupoo) to create a naturally colored sweet that is both attractive and healthier. This recipe is perfect for festive occasions, kids’ snacks, special guests, or anyone who prefers natural food coloring in desserts.
🥗 Ingredients
- Rava (Sooji / Semolina) – 1 cup
- Butterfly pea flowers (Sankupoo) – 10–12 flowers
- Sugar – 1 cup
- Water – 2½ cups
- Ghee – 4 tbsp
- Cashew nuts – 10
- Raisins – 10
- Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
- Salt – 1 pinch
🔥 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Boil water and add butterfly pea flowers.
- Let flowers steep for 5–7 minutes until water turns blue.
- Strain and keep the colored water aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a pan.
- Fry cashews and raisins until golden; keep aside.
- In the same pan, roast rava on low flame until aromatic.
- Add prepared blue flower water slowly while stirring continuously.
- Cook until rava absorbs water and thickens.
- Add sugar and mix well.
- Add remaining ghee gradually while stirring.
- Add cardamom powder and fried nuts.
- Cook until kesari leaves the sides of the pan.
- Serve hot or warm.
💡 Pro Tips (Important)
- Roast rava evenly to avoid lumps.
- Use fresh butterfly pea flowers for bright color.
- Add ghee gradually for soft texture.
🌿 Health Benefits
- Natural food coloring without chemicals
- Butterfly pea flowers contain antioxidants
- Provides quick energy
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm during festivals
- Use as prasadam sweet
- Serve as evening snack
- Garnish with extra nuts
❄️ Storage Tips
- Store in refrigerator up to 2 days
- Reheat with little ghee
- Avoid keeping at room temperature for long
❓ FAQ
Yes, dried flowers work well.
Water may have been added too quickly.
Yes, adjust sweetness as needed.
Yes, but color may become lighter.
Insufficient flowers may reduce color intensity.
Soosai Jeyaseelan
Silukkapatti Chef is a Tamil cooking platform created by Soosai Jeyaseelan, focused on bringing back the authentic taste of village-style cooking in a simple and practical way.
