Sweet treats are an essential part of Indian cuisine. While they’re enjoyed during a good meal, sweets and desserts are also fundamental to Indian festivals. Some of these, like laddu, began in ancient India, but many of them were included in the country. Here are some of the most exquisite Indian desserts that you need to try.
Here Are Most Popular Indian Deserts
Laddu
Laddu is the most traditional festive treat in India. There are many versions of this favourite sweet, and the most popular is motichoor laddu. It is considered that the dessert was created by an ancient Indian physician, Susutra, who utilised sesame laddus as a medicine to treat his medical patients. Laddus are also the most popular sweet offerings given to God
Kheer
There are many milk-based puddings in India, and kheer is one of the most-loved between them. It is made by steaming rice with milk and sugar and later decorated with saffron, cardamom, dry fruits and nuts. Kheer, phirni and payasam are all many variants of Indian milk puddings. In South India, instead of rice, they use vermicelli, and the recipe is called seviyan.
Gulab jamun
Gulab jamun evolved from erstwhile Persia (Iran) when Muslim rulers started arriving in India and establishing their dynasties. These desserts are created by khoya, which is a ball-shaped milk powder. The khoya are deep-fried and soaked in a sugary syrup, generally flavoured with saffron and rose water.
Gajar ka halwa
Gajar ka halwa is a sweet made from grated carrots, first cooked in milk and cardamom. The mix is then fried in ghee (clarified butter) and sugar. Lastly, the dish is decorated with dried fruits. The dessert commenced becoming popular during the Mughal period, and today, it is served throughout Hindu and Muslim festivals, including Diwali and Eid al-Fitr.
Sandesh
Bengalis are recognised for their love of sweetmeats, and Sandesh is one of West Bengal’s most famous treats. Sandesh is traditionally made from chenna, a deposit of curdled milk. Some think that the dessert was inspired by the cheese-based foods that early European dealers brought along with them to the city of Kolkata.
Rasgulla
Like sandesh, rasgulla is also created from chenna. These round dumplings are made in a sweet syrup till the juice infiltrates the dough. This sweet is so common that two Indian states, West Bengal and Odisha have been feuding over it for years, claiming the rasgulla started in their particular region.
Kaju barfi
Kaju barfi is a cashew-based Indian sweet like fudge. It is traditionally formed like a diamond and is one of the expensive sweets seen in the country. It is therefore considered a considered gift during festivals and special events.
Kulfi
Kulfi is the Indian variant of ice cream. Like several Indian desserts, kulfi has also been acquired from Persian cuisine. It was popular when the Mughals settled down in the country, and the dessert is also discussed in the history of this period. The essence of kulfis is usually enhanced with pistachios and saffron.
Jalebi
Jalebi is love among Indians. It is a hoop-shaped dessert made by deep-frying flour soaked in a sugary syrup. Different variants of jalebi are also found in Iran and Turkey. This simple dessert recipe is found in many ancient Indian cookbooks, seeing back to the 15th century. Jalebis taste best when served hot.
Ras malai
Ras malai is another popular Bengali sweet food. Ras means juice, and malai means cream, and this sweet primarily consists of a creamy mixture made of Indian cottage cheese dipped in thick sweetened milk.
