Indian Desserts

Kheer or payasam is an ancient Indian dessert, a creamy rice pudding that is made in several versions across the country. It is a common dish at numerous Indian ceremonies, festivals, and celebrations, although it can be consumed any time... READ MORE

Kulfi is a traditional ice cream made with slowly simmered whole milk. Although the long-simmering process results in a loss of volume, it makes up for it with a delicious, nutty, caramelized flavor. The ice cream is characterized by its unusual, ... READ MORE

Gulab jamun is a dessert based on milk solids that are kneaded into a dough, shaped into balls, and deep-fried in ghee. The balls then get soaked in a sugary concoction flavored with saffron, green cardamom, and rose water. When served, gulab jamu... READ MORE

Rasgulla is a traditional sweet that is usually served at the end of a meal, like many other Indian milk-based desserts. It is prepared from chhena paneer dumplings and semolina dough, cooked together in a sugary syrup. The origin of rasgulla is t... READ MORE

This traditional Indian dessert is made with different types of flour that are mixed with sugar and shortening, then shaped into balls. Like many other dishes in India, laddu appears in numerous varieties and is created with a myriad of different ... READ MORE

Although it is believed to have its origins in Persia, zulbia or jalebi is an international dessert with variations that spread throughout the Middle East, India, and Asia. In its basic form, this sweet dessert is created by combining flour with y... READ MORE

Roshmalai or ras malai is a popular Bengali and Indian dessert consisting of milk, sugar and cardamom-flavored paneer cheese known as chhana. Almonds, cashews, and saffron are often added to the dessert. Roshmalai is of Bengali origin, an... READ MORE

Even though its name originates from Persia, barfi is an original Indian dessert which resembles a fudge. It belongs to a wider group of Indian sweets united under the name mithai. In Persian and Urdu, the name burfi denotes ... READ MORE

The name falooda refers to a refreshing Indian dessert that consists of thin falooda noodles, which are usually produced from cornstarch, sago, wheat, or arrowroot, and ingredients such as tapioca pearls, jelly, rose syrup, milk, and soaked saba (... READ MORE

Kaju katli, also known as kaju barfi, is a traditional dessert characterized by its diamond shape, made with cashew nuts, sugar, cardamom powder, and ghee butter. This sweet treat often comes wrapped in an edible silver foil, signifying l... READ MORE

Modak is an Indian sweet dumpling believed to have originated in the state of Maharashtra. In India, modak is prepared in a variety of ways, and it is known under various names. Depending on the region, it is also referred to as mothagam ... READ MORE

Mysore pak was invented in 1935 at the Mysore Palace by the royal chef Madappa. As the King Krishna Raja Wodeyar was ready to have his lunch, the chef began experimenting with a sweet dish, combining gram flour, ghee butter, and sugar into a syrup... READ MORE

Phirni is a dessert made with ground rice that's cooked in milk and flavored with almonds, saffron, and cardamom. A favorite in North India, it is most often prepared for special occasions or festivals such as Diwali and Karwa Chauth. Traditionall... READ MORE

Gajar ka halwa is a sweet pudding made with grated carrots, milk, sugar, nuts, clarified butter known as ghee, and dried milk known as khoya. The dessert originated in Northern India and Pakistan, but today it's consumed througho... READ MORE

Khaja is a traditional dessert consisting of flour, sugar, and ghee-based dough that is deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy. After the preparation, khaja is sometimes soaked in sugar syrup, depending on the regional variation of the recipe. ... READ MORE

Pongal is a rice pudding that is usually eaten during special or ceremonial occasions in Southern India and Sri Lanka. It is usually cooked in a clay pot over an open fire. Milk and water are boiled first, and according to Tamil beliefs, if the li... READ MORE

Shrikhand is a popular Indian yogurt-based dessert, combined with sugar and nuts in order to develop a rich, creamy texture and sweet flavor. In North India, it is usually served for breakfast, while in South India, it is commonly served as a dess... READ MORE

Basundi is a popular Indian dessert consisting of sweetened, thickened milk with the addition of chopped nuts such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios. The dessert is usually flavored with cardamom and saffron. It is traditionally prepared during ... READ MORE

Sandesh is a traditional sweet originating from the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. It is typically served as a dessert and consists of milk, chhena or paneer, sugar, and flavorings such as cardamom and saffron. The small paneer balls ar... READ MORE

Peda is a sweet treat originating from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, although it is also very popular in Gujarat. It consists of mawa, sugar, and flavorings such as cardamom, pistachio, and saffron. The word peda refers to any kind o... READ MORE

Chikki is a sweet snack that is most commonly made with jaggery and nuts. Groundnut chikki is extremely popular in India as it is full of protein and iron, making it a healthy snack. Traditionally, peanuts are used in the preparation of chikki, bu... READ MORE

Puran poli is a sweet flatbread that is traditionally made during Ganesha Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati. Originating from the state of Maharashtra, the flatbread consists of flour, t... READ MORE

Usually associated with northern Indian regions, this refreshing treat combines thin falooda noodles and kulfi, a traditional Indian ice cream made with slowly simmered whole milk that is flavored with pistachio, rose water, and saffron. The whole... READ MORE

Rabri is a creamy Indian dessert prepared with milk that is slowly simmered until thick. The milk is usually enriched with sugar, cardamom, saffron, or rose water, as well as sliced nuts such as pistachios or almonds. Rabri can be enjoyed on its o... READ MORE

Mishti doi is a Bengali dessert that combines fermented doi curd—usually made from cow, buffalo, or goat milk—and sugar or jaggery (cane sugar). The process of making mishti doi involves cooking sweetened milk until it's thick... READ MORE

Panjiri is a popular Indian dessert consisting of whole-wheat flour, ghee, sugar, dried fruits, and herbal gums. It is traditionally offered to new mothers after delivery because panjiri is also regarded as a nutritional supplement. The dish is es... READ MORE

Aamras is essentially puréed mango pulp that is typically eaten as a dessert. It is made with ripe and juicy mangos that are sliced or diced and blended into a creamy, sweet, and fragrant mixture. The finely puréed cream usually gain... READ MORE

Gujiya is a popular North Indian sweet pastry that is traditionally enjoyed during the Holi festival. These crescent-shaped treats are made with thinly rolled dough and a filling consisting of khoya (dried evaporated milk) and chopped nuts such as... READ MORE

Boondi are small deep-fried round balls made from besan (gram flour). They come in a sweet or savor version. The process of making boondi starts with a thick besan batter that is poured through a sieve and dropped directly into sizzling oil, creat... READ MORE

Kalakand is a traditional dessert that's also popular in Pakistan and Bangladesh. In its basic version, this rich cake is made with a reduced combination of sweetened condensed milk and fresh curd cheese such as paneer or chhena. The combination i... READ MORE

Gajak is a sweet, dry snack with North Indian origins, made with sesame seeds and jaggery. Although thinly layered squares of gajak can be stored for a few months, the snack is most commonly consumed in the winter months since it is a part of typi... READ MORE

Pinni is a dessert from Punjabi and North Indian cuisine that is enjoyed during wintertime after lunch or as a snack paired with a cup of tea or a glass of warm dairy. The adorable little cakes are made from desi ghee, jaggery, wheat flour, and al... READ MORE

Churma is a north Indian dish that is mainly prepared with various types of crumbled bread. It is especially popular in Rajasthan where it is made with baati (bati) bread, and Haryana, where the locals opt for roti, paratha,<... READ MORE

This sweet, buttery dish is made with freshly harvested new rice, jaggery and ghee (clarified butter), with the addition of dried coconut, sesame seeds, raisins, milk, and cashew nuts. Sakkarai pongal is traditionally prepared as an offering to th... READ MORE

Agra petha is a type of candied gourd often called the signature candy of the city of Agra. It is made from candied ash gourd, known as white pumpkin, wax gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, tallow gourd, or ash pumpkin. The gourd is cut into chunks... READ MORE

This traditional Rajasthani sweet delicacy is made with a batter of flour, ghee, and cold water that is carefully poured into piping hot oil or ghee to fry, yielding a round, disc-shaped dessert with an intricate pattern. After it has been deep-fr... READ MORE

Originating in Bengal, pantua is a soft, spherical dessert that is entirely drenched in cardamom-and-saffron-flavored sugar syrup. A dough of khoa (dried evaporated milk solids), chhena (Indian cottage cheese), flour, and baking ... READ MORE

Kansar is a traditional dessert dish originating from Gujarat in Western India. Its main ingredient is cracked wheat, combined with ghee and jaggery. The dessert is traditionally made as a good omen during festive occasions such as weddings, when ... READ MORE

Malpua is a sweet Indian pancake made by deep-frying a batter of rice flour, thickened milk, and (quite often) cardamom. These pancakes are traditionally prepared for celebrations and festive events, and they are the most popular in winter and dur... READ MORE

Matka kulfi is a traditional frozen dessert that's much denser and creamier than your standard ice cream. It's usually prepared with a combination of full fat milk, malai cream, almonds, saffron, pistachios, cashews, and sugar. In order to make ma... READ MORE

Rajbhog is a traditional dessert based on Indian cottage cheese that is filled with a mixture of nuts such as almonds and pistachios, green cardamom powder, saffron, and, sometimes, mawa (dried milk solids). Considered a regional variatio... READ MORE