Sweet recipes

 

Pistachios are optional, but definitely recommended, for a pretty presentation and a little bite. This besan ladoo recipe gets its golden color from roasting ghee (Indian butter) and besan (chickpea flour) over heat.

Flaky, light soan papdi first originated from the Northern region of India. This decadent Indian carrot pudding is super flavorful. Neha Mathur from Whisk Affair claims she hasn’t bought storebought peda ever since she first tried this recipe.

Ladoo, also known as laddu, are soft dessert balls commonly served for Diwali. Before you dive into the crazy stuff, you’ve got to try this classic kulfi recipe first.

Looking for some spice between all these sweets? You might want to learn how to make biryani.

Rasgulla, a common East Indian delicacy, are bite-sized cheese balls soaked in floral sugar syrup. They’re typically shaped using a special modak mold, but if you don’t have a mold on hand, Piping Pot Curry has the best method on how to create that classic modak shape by using your hands and a toothpick.

Some of these Indian dessert recipes are made for special occasions and holidays but you can try them out any time of the year.

You’ll find the different combinations and cooking methods and welcome relief from having to make the same old dishes again and again.

Sit back and take note of your favorite easy Indian desserts from the list below and give your guests something new to try next time they come over.

You can make this delicious recipe any time of the year though, because all you need is a handful of ingredients.

Serve this grated carrot treat in hot or cold weather and it will still be packed with flavor.

Add a cup of chai tea on the side and you’ll be satisfied and feeling warm at the end of your meal.

Indian rice pudding, or kheer, is a classic dessert that not only goes with Indian cuisine but goes with any meal.

With just the right amount of sweetness, this Indian dessert will have you asking for more.

You can also add your own touch to this dish by adding different flavorings such as cardamom powder or rose essence.

Serve this rice kheer recipe with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite. If you have extra rasgulla on hand, use them to make rasmalai.

A popular Indian sweet for Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi and Rakshabandhan, Peda are made of milk solids and fragrant, aromatic seasonings like saffron and cardamom. Full of aromatic spices, topped with pistachios or soaked in rose syrup, these traditional Indian dessert recipes will light up your tastebuds with the wonderful flavors of India.

Probably one of the simplest Indian desserts out there, Sandesh is made of only three ingredients! All you need is milk, lemon juice and sugar to make these Bengali sweets. Nowadays, it can be found in Indian sweet shops across the country. Sandesh are the perfect addition to any holiday (especially on a Diwali sweets platter!) or celebratory food platter.

Gulab Jamun is high on the list of the most popular Indian desserts! (I mean, who doesn’t love donuts dunked in rose sugar coating? That sounds right up my alley.) You can find gulab jamun at festivals and celebrations—it’s a common food to serve during Diwali.

Spice Craving’s modified rasmalai recipe makes it easier for you to make this popular dessert—her recipe shaves off about half the time it would take you to make the traditional dish. But no worries, her take is just as delicious with all the traditional rasmalai ingredients like rasgulla (chenna or paneer soaked in sugar), milk and spices like saffron and cardamom.

Think of Jalebi as the equivalent to American funnel cakes: fried, crispy and sugar-coated. The secret to perfecting rasgulla is ice! Throwing a handful of ice cubes into your saucepan before straining will help get the perfect rasgulla texture. The first (and most popular) version is crumbly with a stiffer texture; the other being a bit softer and creamier. It’s another fairly easy Indian dessert you can whip together in under an hour. In India, you’ll often see Gajar Ka Halwa served in the North regions during the winter and Diwali seasons.

Melt-in-your-mouth mysore pak is often made one of two ways. Kulfi is very similar to ice cream, but just a tad thicker and creamier. We bet you’ll love these air-fryer Indian recipes.

This spiced, nutty custard is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. To much surprise, it’s also a popular breakfast food served with a glass of warm milk on the side. You can even find other versions of kulfi on the market like mango and strawberry. Traditionally, it was sold loose in paper cones, but you’ll find it more commonly cut into squares like in this soan papdi recipe.

If you’re gluten-free or paleo, you’ll have to give this Gajar Ka Halwa recipe a try. They’re a common street food in India, typically sold in the Northern and Western regions. This mysore pak recipe marries the best of both: it’s buttery smooth while still keeping its shape.

Filled with jaggery, cardamom and poppy seeds, modak is a small, sweet dumpling typically served at Ganesh Chaturthi.