Indian Desserts fulfil everybody’s craving for a sweet-something in the most creative and delightful ways. While Indian desserts and sweets are predominantly served at the end of a meal, some Indian cultures believe in serving Indian sweet at the beginning, while some world cultures don’t have the concept of a dessert at all, and others like to top off with light fruits instead of rich sweets.
In any case, who can resist pampering themselves with a dessert? So, always pay attention to this course of the meal. Fortunately, this is not a tough challenge because as far as desserts go, we have just too much to choose from!
Indian desserts are mainly made using milk and sugar, khoya or milk powder, sweetening agents like jaggery or sugar syrup, aromatic spices like saffron and cardamom powder, mixed dry fruits, chenna or cottage cheese etc. India having people from various region and culture, celebrate a number of festival with great zeal. There are some or the other Indian desserts for every special occasions. Til Laddu is a popular sweet during Makar Sankranti, lord Ganesha is worshipped during Ganesh Chaturthi lovingly with his favourite mithaais like Modak and Churma Ladoo and then there is Jalebi that is enjoyed along with fafda, sambharo and besan chutney on Dassera day, Maharashtrians make Puran Poli for Gudi Padwa and Kaju Katli and Mawa Karanji are much sought after during Diwali. Gulab jamuns, Milk pudding, Kopra Pak, Kalakand are other popular Indian sweet recipes.
Indian Desserts, Barfis
When we think of Indian sweets or mithai the first thing that comes to our minds is barfi. An easy Indian Dessert recipe, Besan Barfi, has very few ingredients and takes very little time to cook, yet it has a rich taste and awesome aroma of cooked besan (chickpea flour). The Almond Barfi made with loads of almonds is super healthy, and gives you a good shot of protein! You can even make barfis in the microwave oven and you will be amazed by how easy and quick it is!
Indian Desserts , Chenna and Paneer Recipes
Paneer is a handy ingredient in the preparation of sweets as well. Paneer and cheena are made by curdling milk and the only difference between them is paneer is drained to lose all the moisture and form a block. Though it can be used to make quick and easy indian desserts especially Bengali sweets like the Bengali Rasgulla or Saffron Chenna Pie. Paneer imparts not just softness but a very interesting, crumbly mouth-feel, which lands quite richly on the palate.
Indian Sweets, Rabri
Rabri is an authentic Indian sweet made by reducing milk on a slow flame for long hours. It tastes amazing with piping hot jalebi, malpua or gulab jamun. You can even make them quickly with the addition of thickening agents like corn flour or bread slices. You can easily make a quick rabri so we have that option too. We have made a healthier version an Apple Rabadi, with low fat milk and by using unpeeled apple to retain some fiber. Indian
Desserts, Sheera
With their intense flavours and rich textures, mithais like Badam ka Sheera, Moong Dal sheera and Rava sheera have become timeless treasures! Rava sheera is a famous prasadam made during Satyanarayan puja in every household. You can never say no to delights like besan ka sheera and this super quick Atta ka Sheera made by mixing flour sugar. One bite and you cannot stop!
Indian Desserts, Halwa
Halwa by itself is a delicacy that none can resist, thanks to its rich, sugary taste and enticing, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The most popular is Anjeer Halwa made from pureed figs. Come winter and everyone is waiting for a bowl of hot gajar ka halwa made using grated carrot or doodhi ka halwa. It can be enjoyed anytime of the year and we are sure the unique texture and rich flavor will linger in your palate and memory for a long time thereafter.
Indian Desserts, Kheer
The most famous traditional favourite kheer recipe in India is Rice Kheer which is made for special occasions like weddings in the South. Then there is also the South Indian Kheer, Paal Payasam where there is a long queue at the Kerala temples for this prasad. Other than this, you can make different kheers by combining fruits like apple, strawberry or mango to make lip-smacking fruity kheers.
Indian Sweets, Kulfi
Kulfi is an Indian ice-cream made of thickened milk, reinforced with spices and dry fruits, and frozen in moulds. On every Mumbai major street corner and restaurant you will find irresistible Malai Kulfi, especially on a hot summer day. Also, you can perk up the simple kulfi to make Kulfi and Jalebi Sundae, Kesar Kulfi Falooda.
From cakes, sundaes and ice-creams, to fruit-based desserts, puddings, cheesecakes and Indian mithai, there are endless options.
It is nice to prepare Indian dessert recipes at home rather than buying them from outside because you can customize them to your preferences. This section will help you explore the world of desserts and try your hand at traditional and innovative ones.
You will find a large collection of 2,000 Indian Dessert recipes to enjoy. Look below for our other Indian Sweet articles.
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
111 Kheer Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
107 Peda Laddoo Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
496 Traditional Indian Mithai Recipes
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Chenna is made by curdling full-fat milk and draining the extra moisture. Addition of sour agents like vinegar or lemon juice result into separation of whey from milk. If you are lazy to make chenna at home, you can use cottage cheese or paneer, which is used extensively in Indian cuisine to make everything from subzis to pulaos and is a handy ingredient in the preparation of sweets as well. Paneer imparts not just softness but a very interesting, crumbly mouth-feel, which lands quite richly on the palate. You can simply blend paneer in a mixer grinder or mix it using your palm to give the required texture.
Chenna is extensively used in preparation of an array of Bengali sweets like Sandesh, Chum Chum, Rasgulla, Rasmalai. You can even stuff rasmalai to make Fresh Fruits Stuffed Rasmalai a dessert beyond comparison, a creation that has to be experienced to be understood! The rich, milky flavour of succulent rasmalai is complemented beautifully by a fruity stuffing, and enhanced further by a topping of masala milk.
Sandesh is made by combining powdered sugar and different flavours and essences. You can try your hands on making simple Sandesh made by mixing chenna or sugar or flavored Sandesh like the rose Sandesh, pineapple Sandesh, Chocolate Sandesh. To enhance the appearance, you can stack chenna with colorful fruits in a glass to make Layered Fruit Sandesh . Our website also has quick and easy recipes that make use of paneer like the Mixed Fruit Sandesh, Quick Apple Sandesh. You can even combine 2-3 sandesh to make cylindrical roll of Chocolate- Vanilla and Orange Sandesh that can be sliced after refrigerating. You can shape the chenna into small roundels or get moulds from the market to give them different shapes. Apart from the Sandesh, you can make Indian desserts like the delightful Chenna Malpua, Saffron Chenna Pie that will be loved by all. Also, the paneer pistachio rolls put paneer to good use.
If you enjoyed our 113 Chenna Recipe collection, then you will enjoy the other Indain Dessert articles given below.
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
111 Kheer Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
107 Peda Laddoo Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
496 Traditional Indian Mithai Recipes
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Sheera, Bari and Halwa are traditional Indian mithais that no one can ever refuse. With their intense flavours and rich textures, mithais like Badam ka Sheera, Lapsi and Doodhi Halwa have become timeless treasures!
Rava sheera and varieties
One of the most popular Indian sweets, the Rava Sheera is very easy to prepare. You just have to roast semolina, cook in a milk-water mixture and add sugar. To enhance the taste you can add dry fruits, cardamom powder and cook. While the classic version might take a long time, this will be ready in around 15 minutes if you use a microwave. You can make it quickly to surprise a sudden guest or to offer to God after puja. Apart from the normal sooji sheera, you can make endless varieties by adding different flavoring agents and essences.
1. Kesari Bhaat is a South Indian counterpart of the sheera made with the addition of saffron
2. Chocolate Sheera is a unique sheera made using cocoa powder and chopped dark chocolate
3. Mango Sheera made using fresh mango pulp
Dry fruit sheera
Dry fruit slivers are not only used as a garnish for Indian desserts but, they can form the base ingredient in cooking up an array of delightful sheera recipes. They give a rich texture and mouth-fell and are heavy on the stomach.
1. Badam ka Sheera is my most favorite sheera recipe made using blanched almonds
2. Akhrot Kaju Sheera combining a rich graininess from coarsely crushed walnuts and cashewnuts
3. Kaju Kopra Sheera can be packed and carried in the tiffin.
You can even layer these sheeras to make a lip-smacking Layered Sheera which is a treat for the palette. It will surely garner you many praises from the guests if served at a party or get together.
Collection of sheera recipes
Apart from semolina and mixed nuts, you can even make sheera using varieties of flours or a combination of flour and fruits and even dals. Here are some of my favorite variations.
3. Besan Sheera
4. Ragi Sheera
Try Our Other Desserts Recipes…
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
111 Kheer Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
107 Peda Laddoo Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
496 Traditional Indian Mithai Recipes
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Soft pedas and ladoos are always loved by kids. Made during special occasions like marriages and festivals, they appeal to adults too. We have a quick Diwali laddoo/laddu/ladoo recipe collection which you can easily make at home without putting too many efforts. Laddoo are round shaped mithai made using a various ingredients like flour (besan, atta and so on) , coconut or semolina, sweetened with sugar, condensed milk or jaggery, perked up with cardamom powder, saffron, dried-fruits. You can even use millets and multi-grains. This section introduces you to some evergreen favourites and popular ladoo recipes like the Churma Ladoo, Motichoor ke ladoo and Besan Laddoo.
Not only Diwali, laddu recipes like Coconut and Rava Ladoo or just Coconut Ladoo are specially made during Ganesh Chaturthi to serve as naivedya to Lord Ganesha. Also delights like Peanut Ladoo and Til Ke Ladoo are made during Makar Sankranti and exchanged among people saying, “ Tilghud ghya godd godd bola" that means to forget the past ill-feelings and speak sweetly. Apart from the sweet delights, many ladoos are spicy. These are generally made of special ingredients like sesame seeds, fenugreek seeds, edible gum, dried ginger powder etc. and are loaded with ghee. These are made especially for pregnant ladies to fortify their health and provide warmth to the body during those 9 months. They can eat these for breakfast with a glass of milk, as it is not only nutritious but also, quite filling.
Below is a collection of ladoo and peda recipes with step by step images that would help begineers to make yummy indian sweets at home without any hassle. Most laddoos can be made and stored in air tight container for 3-4 days. You can also serve them as an evening snack or in the dabba as a sweet accompaniment. You can even increase/ decrease the amount of fat and sweetness in the recipe according to your personal preference.
Healthy ladoo , Healthy Peda recipes
Watercress seeds or halim/aliv are nutrient rich tiny seeds that serve 100mg iron/ 100 grams of seeds. You can make healthy Halim Ladoo by combining other iron-rich ingredients like jaggery and almonds. The healthy peda made without the use of any dairy products and healthy flours like ragi and powdered chana dal has a very pleasant taste. Apart from these, you can make malai peda using low fat milk and sugar substitutes which are not only tasty but also, healthy.
Peda recipe collection
Peda is a traditional Indian mithai made by cooking mava and adding ingredients like saffron, cardamom powder and sugar. You can even make pedas by simmering milk till it reduces to the required consistency. Here are some of the popular peda recipes :
1. Kesar Peda
2. Malai Peda
3. Mawa Peda
Quick Peda, Quick Laddoo Recipes
Making Indian mithai is time consuming and requires a lot of patience. But, people who want recipes that they can whip up in a jiffy, we have something for you.
1. Nuts Khoya Ladoo, delicious, melt-in-the-mouth laddoos requires no cooking. You just have to mix together all the ingredients, shape them and refrigerate.
2. Besan Laddoo makes use of the microwave and can be made quickly.
3. Peanut Ladoo is a super tasty sweet treat, that lasts for 3-4 days and requires not more than 11 minutes to cook.
Happy Cooking!
If you enjoy our peda recipes, laddo recipes then you will enjoy our other Indian Dessert articles.
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
111 Kheer Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
496 Traditional Indian Mithai Recipes
Kheers and Phirnis are rich and creamy desserts made by slow-cooking milk till it thickens. This thickened milk is flavoured with spices, perked up with dry fruits, or sometimes even innovatively boosted with chopped fruits. Let us explore some famous options like the Poha Phirni, Paneer Kheer and Makhane ki Kheer . Learn how to make kheer with this step by step photo recipe and video. Also, you can find kheer recipes in hindi here!
The most famous traditional favourite kheer recipe in India is Rice Kheer which is made for special occassions like weddings in the South. Then there is alo the South Indian Kheer, Paal Payasam where there is a long queue at the Kerala temples for this prasad. We also have the Quick Rice Kheer. In Hyderabad they make Hyderabadi Lauki Kheer with mini Rasgullas.
You can also make fruity kheer variants like the Mango Kheer, Strawberry Kheer using seasonal fruits and other unique kheer like Orange Kheer, Seb ki Kheer.
An interesting version of kheer, which is this boondi payas in which sweet boondis are used to thicken and flavour the milk. It is important to remember to cool the milk completely before you add the boondi so that the boondi stays whole. If you add it into hot or warm milk it is sure to disintegrate giving you a besan flavoured rabdi.
If you are looking for a sweet dish to eat while fasting then this Sabudana kheer recipe will surely come handy!
Try Our Other Desserts Recipes…
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
107 Peda Laddoo Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
496 Traditional Indian Mithai Recipes
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The Magic of Indian Mithai– All about Traditional Indian Sweets
In India, mithai or traditional sweets are something special, not merely an aspect of our cuisine. Traditional Indian sweets are more than just desserts served at the end of a meal; they are part and parcel of our culture. Weddings, celebrations, pujas, temple rituals, everything requires a mithai for fulfillment.
Although nowadays menus are turning cosmopolitan, and we often find a mix of sweets from across the country – and even the world – being served, everyone has a soft corner for the special mithai of their region or community. So, from the sweets served and gifted at a wedding or other celebration, you can easily find out which region the host is from! If you spot Mysore Pak, Coconut Laddoo and Athirasam, you are probably at a South Indian sweets at a wedding. If the table is filled with sweets, especially Rasagolla, Rasmalai and Sandesh, you are probably in the East. And, if there is a predominance of jaggery, til, coconut and groundnut based sweets like Puran Poli and Kopra Pak, you might be in the West. If the sweets resonate with milky and nutty opulence, like Rabdi or Chenna Malpua, you are undoubtedly in the North.
There are some common notes too. For e.g., the Paal Payasam of South India and the Phirni of North have striking similarities as do the Rava Kesari and Rava Sheera. Some sweets like Puran Poli, Cashew Burfi, Halwa, Laddoo, etc. are popular all over the country, often known by different names and prepared with mild variations.
When we think of sweets, another option that instantly comes to mind is our own indigenous and ingenious dessert… the king of ice-creams, Malai Kulfi! The rich milky taste of this ice-cream with its enchanting spice notes has become a great hit in Indian food outlets across the world, not just in India.
Interestingly, we also have special sweets associated with different festivals. Modak, for example, is prepared during Ganesh Chathurthi. Modaks with different fillings, ranging from milk-based to coconut-based sweet fillings and savory fillings too are made across the country during Ganesha festival.
Likewise, jaggery, coconut, til and peanuts come to the fore during Sankaranthi, and you find a range of sweets made using these ingredients. While Sweet Pongal is prepared down South, Maharashtrian Puran Poli and Peanut Chikki are prepared in the West.
During Navratri, a variety of traditional Indian sweets are made to please Devi Shakthi. Sheera, Boondi Payas, Coconut and Rava Laddoo, Mohanthal, Gujarati Basundi… the list is endless and you can go for a sweet splash during the festival season!
Diwali is the time for plenty of variety. It is the time to experiment, come up with exotic diwali sweets to notch up your reputation with friends and family! From the Apple Rabdi to the Paan Shots, you can try delightfully innovative sweets, to share with your loved ones when you visit each other.
Traditional Indian Sweets for Parties
In a party, people look for novel desserts and plenty of variety too. Yet, it is the traditional formats that instantly strike a rapport with the taste buds. So, it is wise to find a balance between the two. You can go for sweets like the Apple Jalebi or Gulab Jamun Cutlet, which are traditional with an innovative twist. Go for sweets that appeal to all age groups and also easy to serve. If it is dripping with syrup or drowned in milky sauces, it might be difficult to hand around at parties and turn out to be a bit messy too. So, try stuff like the Malai Peda or the Mini Anjeer Paratha! Messy or not, never omit the Kulfi though.
The Indian palate is so fond of the rich and spicy notes of our mithai that we are always looking for reasons to celebrate, pretexts to enjoy more sweets! Even if you are short of time or on a special diet, you can still enjoy traditional Indian sweets once in a while. Not all sweets are time consuming or unhealthy – we have come up with numerous quick recipes too, such as the Quick Apple Cinnamon Rabdi, Atta Ka Sheera and Quick Churma Ladoos.
Whatever be the occasion, celebrate it with a traditional Indian sweet. Best of all, make it at home! Pick from our 500+ recipes the sweet that catches your fancy, fits the occasion, matches your time availability and diet constraints too. We are sure we have a best fit for every sweet tooth
Try our other Desserts Recipes below.
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
111 Kheer Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
107 Peda Laddoo Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
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Kulfi is an Indian ice-cream made of thickened milk, reinforced with spices and dry fruits, and frozen in moulds. Rabri too is made with a similar mix of thickened milk and spices, but it is served in a creamy, thick, liquid consistency. Rabdi can be enjoyed as it is, or teamed up with desserts like Malpua, Gulab jamun or Jalebi.
Kulfi, Malai Kulfis
Malai Kulfi is by far the most commonly consumed Kulfi across India with its intense flavor and creaminess. We have a recipe of Malai Kulfi without Condensed Milk. The unique texture and intensely rich taste will linger in your palate.Kulfis, healthy options
We have reduced the amount of sugar and replaced full-fat milk with medium fat cow’s milk to make the Healthy Kulfi and Low Fat Kulfi with Strawberry. No cream or condensed milk is used in these recipes which makes them perfect for health conscious people.
Kulfis, Kesar
The Moghlia style Dry Fruit Kesar Kulfi is a traditional recipe which tastes even better when topped with Rabdi. You can even soak saffron and add it to your simmering milk to make Kesar Malai Kulfi. If you love nuts, then you can opt for kesar pista kulfi or Dry Fruit Kesar Kulfi with a unique combination of crunch and creaminess. Turn these kulfi into a lip-smacking falooda with the addition of falooda sev, subza, jelly, dry-fruits and flavorful syrups. The kesar kulfi falooda is an amalgam of rich creamy kulfi topped with falooda sev and rose syrup.Kulfis, Innovative Recipes
You can enhance your simple malai kulfi with the addition of small gulab jamuns to make this delectable Gulab Jamun Kulfi. By blending kulfi cubes and milk you get a lovely milkshake that has a rich milky flavour with spicy tones and the crunch of nuts. Serve Kulfi Shots, a luscious milkshake made using malai kulfi which would be a hit among your family members and will even garner many praises when served at a party. It is very quick and easy to make and indeed a perfect end to the meal.
Upgrading the rabri-jalebi combination with the addition of malai kulfi and falooda sev, the Kulfi Jalebi Sundae is an innovative yet quick dessert that will be loved by all.
While these are traditionally time-consuming, there are some quick methods too. In this section, we present both the authentic and quick methods. Try your hand at making delights like the Banana and Apple Kulfi and Kulfi and Fruit Ice Cream
You will find a collection of 30 Kulfi recipes to enjoy. Look below for our other Indian Sweet articles.
65 Barfi Recipes
139 Basic Desserts Recipes
417 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes
243 Desserts Dry Fruit Flavours Recipes
111 Halwa Recipes
138 Ice-Cream Recipes
111 Kheer Recipes
60 Mousse Recipes
107 Peda Laddoo Recipes
137 Puddings Recipes
496 Traditional Indian Mithai Recipes
Happy Cooking!
indian chocolate based desserts. 340 chocolate dessert recipes. Who doesn’t like chocolate?! Chocolate lovers can just go on and on about the intoxicating flavour and aroma of chocolate-based desserts. Combine chocolate with fruits, dry-fruits, biscuits or cakes and the resulting creations are simply mind-blowing.
Indian Chocolate Mithai
One of the most traditional Indian mithai gets a chocolaty twist in this Chocolate Sandesh recipe. If you don’t wish to follow the elaborate process of curdling milk, you can quickly make this Bengali delight using paneer like in this recipe. It is very easy to make and tastes best when served after refrigerating. Similarly, you can mix different flavours and roll them together to make delightful variants like the Chocolate- Vanilla and Orange Sandesh.
You would have tasted sheeras made out of various flours or semolina. Here is another authentic recipe tweaked to make unique Chocolate Sheera. Chocolate Modak made with a handful of ingredients are not only appealing but also, tempting.
Pista Choco Roll and Mixed Nut Chikki Chocolate are two of my favorite chocolate-based Indian desserts.
Indian Chocolate-based Snacks
The fruity sweetness of bananas and the intoxicating bitterness of cocoa are a made-for-each-other combination, especially when you team them up to make an irresistible chocolate banana grilled sandwich.
Here is a list of lip-smacking Indian Chocolate-based Snacks that you must try at home and surprise your friends and family.
4. Chocolate Cheese Paratha
Indian Chocolate Dessert
Just by combining together a myriad of ingredients and without any cooking-required, you can create chocolate balls that are delightfully easy while being extraordinarily delicious. The most basic Homemade Chocolate Balls recipe requires crushed biscuits, coconut and cocoa held together by gooey condensed milk.
Another delightful and rich recipe Chocolate Coconut Balls makes use of khoya giving it an amazing texture. Oats Chocolate Walnut Balls, Chocolaty Snowballs, Oreo Truffles and Crispy Chocolate Balls with a luscious texture and a rich and intense flavor are easy and no-fuss sweets that can be perfectly customized to your taste.
Here we have a collection of 340 Indian Chocolate Dessert recipes that you must try in your own kitchen.
Happy Cooking!
Try Our Other Desserts Recipes…
65 Barfi Recipes
418 Fruit Based Desserts Recipes