18 Best Indian Desserts
on Dec 21, 2022, Updated Nov 21, 2023
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Indian food is prepared with delicious spices and flavorings. Luckily, we don’t have to travel far to enjoy it! If you’re a fan of sweets and haven’t tried Indian desserts, you’re in for a treat.
We’ve collected 18 of the best Indian desserts for you to make at home!
What is India’s National Dessert?
Jalebi is the national sweet of India. It can be found all over the country and is enjoyed by kids and adults alike!
Best Indian Dessert Recipes
Gulab Jamun Dessert Balls Recipe
This traditional Indian dessert is similar to a small fried donut that’s soaked in a sweet sugary syrup. It’s very sweet and would be lovely served with hot tea or coffee.
Motichur Laddu Recipe
This traditional sweet is often served at festivals and celebrations. The small balls are flavored with saffron and cardamom, and then fried and soaked in a sweet syrup.
Indian Carrot Pudding
This carrot pudding is traditionally served during Diwali. It’s ready to enjoy in just 45 minutes and is delicious topped with chopped pistachio nuts for a bit of crunch.
Ras Malai
Similar in texture to soft cheese, this sweet is flavored with milk, sugar, nuts, saffron, and cardamom. There are many steps in the preparation but the recipe is detailed and easy to follow.
Indian Rice Pudding (Kheer)
You can’t go wrong with creamy rice pudding on a cold night. This dessert takes just 45 minutes to make, and is absolutely delicious!
Mysore Pak
Made with gram flour, ghee, and sugar, this traditional South Indian sweet takes just 30 minutes to make. Follow the illustrated steps in the recipe for tips!
Imarti
This colorful fried treat is often sold by street vendors but can also be made at home! The batter gets its vibrant hue from orange food coloring.
Suji Halwa
Often served at family get-togethers and celebrations, this sweet takes just 15 minutes to make. It’s flavored with cardamom powder and has cashews and raisins for a lovely texture.
Toasted Coconut Ladoo
If you love the flavor of coconut, give this recipe a try! There are just 4 ingredients, and this treat is ready to enjoy in 30 minutes.
Shrikhand
Made with thick and creamy yogurt, this dessert is flavored with cardamom, nutmeg, and saffron. Serve it with chopped nuts for a delightful crunch!
Mango Halwa
This creamy dessert is filled with juicy ripe mango and is ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes! It’s also vegetarian and vegan-friendly!
Jalebi
This popular Indian street-food is also easy to make at home! The batter is fried until crisp, and then tossed in a sweet syrup.
Puran Poli
Serve this dish the next time you’re hosting a casual get-together! The dough is stuffed with a sweet and savory filling, and then heated on a griddle until crisp and delicious!
Basundi
This dessert is made with thickened milk that’s flavored with saffron, sugar, warm spices, and nuts. You’ll love the combination of flavors and textures!
Phirni
Traditionally served at special occasions and celebrations, Phirni is a sweet pudding that’s made with rice, milk, sugar, nuts, and cardamom. Enjoy it at breakfast, or serve it for dessert after dinner.
Kalakand
This creamy rice pudding takes just 30 minutes to make. It’s flavored with cardamom and saffron, and is garnished with pistachio nuts!
Urad Dal Laddu
These no-bake protein balls take about 30 minutes to make. Enjoy them as a snack at any time of the day!
Indian Peanut Brittle
Made with sesame seeds and peanuts, this peanut brittle comes together in under 20 minutes! Enjoy it as a snack with a hot cup of tea, or tuck it into lunch bags for a mid-day treat!
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Best Indian Dessearts (Gulab Jamun Dessert Balls and More)
Ingredients
Dessert Balls
- 3 tablespoons self-raising flour
- 8 tablespoons full-cream milk powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons water, add more if needed
- oil for frying
For the Syrup
- 2 cups white sugar
- 4 cups water
- 5 bruised cardamom pods
- 2 tablespoons rose water
Instructions
- Sift together the milk powder, flour, bicarbonate of soda, and cardamom in a large mixing bowl.
- Slowly add softened butter, then add just enough water to make a dough. Mix everything together until dough is firm and pliable.
- Shape the dough into large marble sized balls or into small sausage shapes.
- Heat up ghee in a frying pan. The frying must be done on a low heat setting. Fry slowly in heated oil until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- To make the syrup, on low heat, mix together sugar, water and cardamom pods, stirring slowly until sugar is dissolved.
- Once the mixture has slightly thickened into a syrup, put the fried gulab jamun into the syrup and let it soak until almost double in size and soft and spongy.
- Once it has cooled slightly, add in the rose water.
- Set aside and let it cool completely and serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
