The Best Indian Sweets and Desserts
Indians love sweets and desserts, called ‘mithai’ in India. Any Indian party, occasion or festival is somewhat incomplete without these sweets. Even if these sweets and desserts are high in calorie and sugar content, almost every Indian has a sweet tooth and can’t resist their urge to enjoy these tasty sweets.
To find out more about the best Indian sweets and desserts, take a look at our OneHOWTO article.
Steps to follow:
Gulab Jamun: Gulab jamun is a traditional Indian sweet. These are milky, spongy balls soaked in rose-scented syrup. They are very popular among: parties, Diwali and other festivities. You will definitely find this sweet at all Indian weddings, dinners and special occasions. Although there are many variations of Gulab amun made with milk powder, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread and others, nothing can beat the taste of traditional Gulab jamuns made with khoya. These fried balls are soft and juicy and melt inside your mouth instantly. Served hot in winters and chilled in summers, they are best served after a bountiful lunch or dinner.
Rasgulla: A traditional Bengali dessert, rasgulla is a very popular Indian sweet prepared with curdling milk. It is delicious, easy to prepare, and requires very little ingredients from your kitchen. Spongy and soft, this solid milk ball melts in your mouth quickly. It is known for its soft and spongy texture. If you press it with light pressure and then release it, you will find that it will return to its original shape. It should not be chewy. Consumed dry and with syrup varieties, it has high sugar content, yet remains too delicious to resist.
Jalebi: Crispy, crunchy, thin and juicy jalebi are special treats that people enjoy in every festival and special occasion. This is a traditional Indian sweet often enjoyed along with rabri, while Gujaratis often pair jalebi with fafda. Made with sugar syrup and maida, it is loved by kids and adults alike. These are sugary, crispy spirals made by pouring spiral shape maida into piping hot oil. These sweets are commonly prepared on Holi, Diwali and Dusshera, but you can make them whenever your heart desires. It also serves as a delicious evening snack, often enjoyed with masala chai and samosas.
Rabri: Rabri is undoubtedly the favorite dessert of every Indian. Often served with jalebis, this easily made sweet dish goes well with almost everything. You can relish in it as it is, or enjoy its heavenly taste with curd or a full glass of milk. It is basically a creamy, thick residue that is left behind when milk evaporates. It is a traditional dessert often savored on festivals and celebrations. There are several flavors that you can add to it, such as: mango rabri, pista rabri, badam rabri, rose rabri etc. You may also freeze rabri to make rabri kulfi, ice cream or popsicle sticks. It tastes equally good served both cold or hot, and makes for a a delightful treat for kids.
Gajar ka Halwa: An essential part of every Indian occasion and festival, Gajar ka halwa is one of the most popular Indian sweets and desserts. It is best served during winters, because it is made of carrots, which are more available in this season. Gajar ka halwa is a tradition in many Indian households. Whenever friends or family arrive during winters, they ask for it. You will often find Indians soaking up the sun during winters, and grating carrots to make Gajar ka halwa. The best thing about Gajar ka halwa is that it does not require many ingredients, and is quite simple to make. This sweet is popular all over the country and you can find different flavors and tastes in different regions. It is easy to make with carrots, sugar, condensed milk and lots of dry fruits, some may add saffron to it too for enhanced taste, flavor and color.
Shahi tukda: Shahi tukda is a truly royal dessert made with bread pudding flavored with cardamom, served with dry fruits. It is a delicacy from Hyderabad, serving as an indispensable part of the region’s heritage.Known commonly as ‘double ka meetha’, it is a tasty treat that is easily prepared at homes without many ingredients and effort. One can easily prepare it within minutes, and serve with condensed milk and roasted dry fruits. ‘Shahi’ means royal and it is a perfect dish to be served following a lavish dinner.
Ghewar: A traditional part of Rajasthani cuisine, this mouth-watering delicacy can be made easily at home. Many people assume that making Ghewar requires lot of effort and hard work, but in reality, you can make the perfect Ghewar with little patience. Made with milk, sugar, rose water and all-purpose flour, it is ideally served on special occasions and festivals. But it finds easy prominence on Raksha Bandhan. When served on this occasion, brothers and sisters love gorging on it. If you love binging on sweets, then Ghewar is something you have to try!
Sooji ka Halwa: Sooji ka halwa has piousness attached to it. It is often served as a holy sweet (Prasad) on religious occasions, festivities and celebrations. It is a delicious, super-easy Indian dessert equally liked by children and adults. Due to its juicy, semi-solid consistency, it is also given to infants that are more than 6 months of age. Prepared with ghee, semolina and sugar, it is garnished with dry fruits and flavored with cardamom. Since semolina is a rich source of iron, protein and potassium, it is considered healthy and good for the heart too. So, if you relish something sweet, tasty yet healthy, then you can enjoy some sooji ka halwa without feeling guilty.
Gujiya: The Indian Holi colour festival is incomplete without gujiya. It has its own meaning of festivity attached to it. Most households prepare gujiyas at home as a way to celebrate the festival together. The best thing about gujiyas is its ultimate combination of sweet and delicious filling, and the crispy outer coat. Made with refined flour, cashews, khoya, milk, almonds, semolina and green cardamom, this is a delicious sweet to enjoy with family and friends. When you visit someone to wish them happy Holi, they will always be prepared with a plate full of gujiyas for you. You may also make this dessert for a casual get-together with friends and family. Since they are not juicy and oozy like gulab jamuns and rasgullas, you can easily carry them for road trips and picnics.
Malpua: Malpua is a delicious Indian dessert prepared for festivals and special occasions. It is a traditional South Indian sweet prepared with minimal ingredients, easily found in an Indian kitchen. Made with all purpose flour, baking powder, fennel seeds, sugar, cardamom and milk powder, this is a mouth watering dessert that every sweet lover will definitely enjoy. Whether you are hosting a dinner party or a friends and family get-together, malpua is sure to be loved by all. Made quickly with little effort, mothers often make malpuas for their kids as a reward after getting good grades.
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