India is known for its rich culture and the food that it offers. India is home to many delicious delicacies that will leave you hungry for more. As much as we are known for the spicy food, Indian sweets and desserts are a must for any and every occasion. Sweets are a way to celebrate our good works and begin our new lives.
Every state, from Jammu Kashmir through Tamil Nadu has its unique dish that is worth trying.
Nearly all the Indian desserts include milk or ghee as their main constituent. Many desserts are made with fruits and nuts. The southern states of India usually start their meals by serving sweet dishes. This symbolizes a sweet start to the occasion. It ends with a sweet note.
1 Aamras
Starting with the most savored dish is ‘aamras’. Aamras can be described as a sweet, mango-based dessert. It is made by removing the pulp from the Mango fruit. It is a tropical, seasonal fruit that only comes once a season and delights everyone.
Aamras is often served with ghee, milk, and sometimes sugar to increase its sweetness. This dish is very popular in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujrat. This dish is a must-try for tourists visiting these states during.
2 Peda
Pedas is a sweet that is usually made in semi- soft thick pieces. The main ingredients include khoa (khava), sugar, and traditional spices to spice it up. There are many kinds of pedhas, and they all have different ingredients. There are many colors available for pedhas.
3 Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa)
As established from the name gajar ka halwa is made from carrots. This dish is made from grated carrots. This dessert is well-known in Northern India. It is enjoyed at various events and festivals throughout the US. It’s best to eat it warm in winter.
4 Kaju Katli
Kaju katli is an Indian sweet dish. Kaju is also known in Hindi as cashewnut. Ingredients such as Ghee, saffron, and one can add dry fruits to each one’s taste. The shape of the final product is often a diamond shape. For decoration purposes, edible silver foil is sometimes added to the final product. It can come in a variety of colors depending on what ingredients were used. Kaju Katli can be eaten traditionally during Diwali. This dish is well-known all across India.
5 Gulab Jamun
Gulab jamun is a delicacy, popular in every state and a savoured dish in every nook of the country. To enhance the flavor, it is often served with almonds or dried nuts garnish. This dessert is very popular and often featured on the menu at many festivals, weddings, birthdays, and other events.
6 Ladoo
Laddu are ball-shaped sweets popular in the. Laddus are made with flour, sugar, and kneaded dough. There are various other ingredients that are put in and differ from each person’s liking. Laddu’s are a usual sweet delicacy for festivals, family events, and births as well, or given as a prasad at Hindu temples.
7 Kulfi
Kulfi is a famous frozen dairy dessert, often described as “traditional Indian ice cream. Kulfi can be described as a ice-cream-like dessert. You can garnish it with a variety of traditional spices, such as ground cardamom or saffron. The street vendors, known as kulfi wallsas, sell kulfi on the streets of India. They keep the kulfi in pots called matkas to preserve it for longer periods of time. You can choose to have the dish on a leaf or a stick.
8 Modaks
Modaks are a Maharashtrian delicacy. Modaks are sweetened with fresh grated coconut and jaggery. The soft outer covering is made from rice flour or wheat flour, which is combined with khava flour or maida flour. Modak can be fried, steamed, or both. It is believed that Lord Ganesha loves modak. It is a tradition that 21 modaks are offered to Lord Ganesha.
9 Puran Poli
Puran Poli known as sweet flat bread is from South India and Maharashtra. The ingredients for the dish include yellow gram flour, sugar, jaggery, or sugar, cardam powder ghee, and water. Ghee is used to serve the sweet dish.
10 Jalebi
Jalebi is made by deep-frying the maida flour batter which is mostly in circular shapes, which is then dipped in sugar syrup to add more sweetness. These sweets are most popular in southern India during Diwali and Ramdan. They can be eaten warm or cold. Jalebi can be eaten with curd, or rabri.
11 Kheer
Kheer is a liquid delicacy made using rice, sugar and milk. You can make it with many ingredients. It is usually served as a dessert, or as the last course of a meal. Kheer, a Jammu and Kashmir specialty, is also available. You can find it in many different flavors. These are often made from vermicelli noodles.
12 Rasgulla
Rasgulla is a semi-solid dessert popular in India. These look like balls made from the ingredient chhena. It is made with light syrup of sugar. It is believed that the dish originates from Odisha, West Bengal.
13 Nankhatai
Nankhatai are shortbread biscuits popular in Northern India. Surat is said to have produced it. It is made up of wheat flour, rice flour and butter.
14 Rabdi
Rabri is an Indian sweet dish made with curd, flour, and a combination of bajre ki roti. Raabri is most commonly made in the central, western and northern states of the country. It is eaten hot or cold but best tasted when it’s cold. To garnish the dish, you can use spices like dry fruits and cumin seeds.
15 Barfi
Barfi’s are an Indian speciality. They come in many colors and types. India’s states each have a barfi that they can brag about. You can choose from many different flavors or even some that are made with fruits. There are many options.
16 Lassi
Lassi is a sweet beverage that is served either before a meal or after, it differs from person to person. Lassi is a sweet drink that originated in Punjab. It is a combination of curd and milk with various spices. It is most popular in summer as a refreshing beverage to beat the heat.
17 Shrikhand
Shrikhand is super thick yogurt mixed with saffron and sweet milk to bring joy to the taste buds. This dessert is great for warm days. To add even more flavor, you can top it with pistachios.
18 Shahi Tukra
Shahi Tukra is a syrup-soaked toast that is liberally spread all over in a sweetened depleting of milk flavoured with a traditional spice, saffron. The dessert is topped with pistachios. A North Indian delicacy and is savoured by all.
19 Basundi
Basundi is similar to a North Indian dish which is Rabdi. This is sweetened dense milk. It is made by boiling the milk over a low flame, until it is reduced by half. This dish can be prepared on many Hindu festivals. Various types of basundi’s are sitapha basundi and angoor basundi.
20 Sandesh
Sandesh is a dessert created with the ingredients milk and sugar and it is a Bengali dessert. Sandesh is one of many recipes that uses paneer or chhena instead of milk. It is a favorite among locals and visitors to West Bengal.
21 Pistachio Ice-Cream
Ice-cream is a dessert all around the world but a pistachio ice-cream was brought up by the Indians. Pistachio, the main ingredient, is an all-time heatbuster.
22 Petha
Petha is a soft treat from North India. The gourd vegetable is used to make the petha. It can be either rectangular or cylindrical. There are many flavor options. Petha is believed to have originated in Agra.
23 Sheera
This is a dessert that is famous in various states and has different names in different states. It is also known as Sajjige (in Karnataka), sheera (in Maharashtra) and sooji in North India. It originated in Karnataka, and can be eaten as a breakfast or dessert. It can also be used after praying to the Gods as a Prasad.
24 Unni Appam
Unni appam, also known as Karollappam is a small round sweet dish prepared with various ingredients and all of the ingredients are then fried oil. It is a popular sweet snack found in Kerala.
25 Shankarpali
Shankarpali is an Indian sweet dish which is famous in the Western states of India. It is enjoyed as a Diwali treat. Shankerpalis taste can be sweet or spicy, depending on the ingredients and how they are prepared.
27 Dhondas
Dhonas is a sweet made with Jack fruit or Cucumber, Rava, Coconut and Jaggery. This delicious dessert is very popular in Goa.
27 Doodhpak
Doodhpak is a dessert which is made from milk, rice, saffron, and nuts, which can be eaten along with pooris. Boil the milk on a low heat until it thickens. Garnish the dish with chopped almonds. Gujarat is the origin of Doodhpak.
28 Sutar Feni
Sutarfeni is an Indian sweet. It is made from long flaky strands rice flour, which are then roasted in ghee before being mixed with sugar to create a cotton candy. Then, garnish with chopped almonds and pistachios.
29 Sohan Papdi
Sohan papdi is a sweet dish popular in the Northern state. This dish is often served in a cubical shape. Soan Papdi has been acclaimed in several Indian regions, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, West Bengal, and West Bengal.
30 Anarsa
Anarsa is a crunchy sweet snack commonly eaten during Diwali. Anarsas can be made with powdered rice, jaggery, or sugar.
31 Poornalu
Poornalu is the famous sweet of the Telugu festivals. The Indian delicacy is made by using rice flour which is filled with jaggery, dal paste and dry fruits. The dish is typically served warm with ghee.
32 Mysore Pak
Mysore pak is a sweet dish prepared in ghee, from Southern parts of India, usually served as dessert. It is a Mysore delicacy. It is made with sugar, ghee, gram flour, cardamom and gram flour.
33 Pootharekulu
Pootharekulu is a famous sweet from Atreyapuram, East Godavari, India. Pootharekulu actually derived from ‘Pootha’ being the coating and ‘Reku’ is the sheet.
34 Palathalikalu
Palathalikalu is a delicacy made during the Hindu New Year which is Sankranthi celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. Rice flour and milk are the main ingredients of this dish.
35 Kuzhi Paniyaram
Kuzhi paniyaram is an Indian sweet dish. The batter is similar to that used in idlis and dosas. You can make it spicy by adding chillies, or sweeten it with jaggery. Appe is the most common name for this dish, but it can also be called by other names.
36 Gavvalu
Gavvalu is a sweet dish prepared in Andhra Pradesh. It is made from rice flour mixed with water or milk. The dough is then formed into small round shapes, which are then flattened and rolled into seashell shapes. You can dip them in jaggery syrup.
37 Dharwad Pedha
Dharwad Peda is a sweet delicacy that Karnataka boasts about because of its uniqueness. The sweet’s originated from the city of Dharwad in Karnataka. This sweet was first introduced in Karnataka over 170years ago. It is made from thickened milk and sugar.
38 Ada
Ada is a traditional Kerala delicacy; the dough is made of rice flour and has sweet fillings, which is presented in a steamed banana leaf. This can be eaten as an afternoon snack or breakfast. It is typically made during Onam festival. It is also eaten during prayers at the temples.
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39 Adhirasam
Adhirasam is a type of Indian delicacy from the Tamil meals. Adhirasam can be offered to the gods as a sacrifice during puja prayers. This sweet is similar to a donut, and it is very popular in the state.
40 Balushahi
Balushahi is a dessert from the Indian cuisine. It is a popular sweet in Harnaut, South Bihar. Balushahis is a South Indian pastry. Balushahis are made with maida flour.
41 Boondi
Boondi is a Rajasthani sweet snack which is made from fried chickpea flour. This dish is also known as Khara, or Tikha. These can also be used to make boondi laddus, where the boondi is fried then dipped into sugar syrup.
42 Ghevar
Ghevar is a Rajasthani sweet. Ghevar comes from Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital. Ghevar is also very popular in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. For Makar Sankranti, it is usually prepared in January.
43 Imarti
Imarti is a dessert introduced by Mughal cooks. After deep frying the urad, it is then soaked in sugar syrup.
44 Kalakand
Kalakand is a popular Indian Sweet prepared from solidifying, sweetened milk and paneer. It is a Rajasthani dish that originates in Alwar. Kalakand is most commonly made in India during festivals and other celebrations.
45 Malpua
Malpua is similar to a pancake which is served as a snack or dessert all over India. The dish can be garnished with many toppings, and uses the same ingredients as other desserts.
46 Ras Malai
Ras malai is a dessert famous in India. This dessert comes from Bengal.
47 Singori
Singori is an Indian dessert prepared with Khoya that is wrapped in a maalu leaf. This sweet originates from Uttarakhand, North India. The main ingredients are khoya (sugar) and the rest of the ingredients.
48 Chhena Poda
Chhena poda is a dessert which is prepared with the help of cheese. Its roots can be traced back to eastern India’s Odisha state. The dish’s translation maybe ‘Roasted Cheese’ in Odia. Chhena poda is the only Indian dessert where the flavor has been mostly from the caramelization of sugar.
49 Ledikeni
Ledikeni is a popular sweet of West Bengal. Ledikeni can be fried and gets its reddish-brown colour. This sweet is a British invention that continues to amaze people.
50 Lyangcha
Lyangcha, an authentic sweet dish prepared in Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. This is made using flour and milk powder. After it has been fried, it is then dipped in sugar syrup. Lyangcha, a sweet common to eastern Indians, is a popular sweet. To add to the festive atmosphere, they are often prepared on special occasions.
51 Misti Dahi
Mishti doi is a fermented sweet curd. Mishti dahi is very popular in India’s West Bengal and Odisha states. Elaichi is used to add aroma to curd. Dahi, a Hindu god of fortune, is often served during celebrations and festivities.
52 Pantua
Pantua is a local sweet of eastern India. It is a Bengali sweet. These sweets are made using ingredients such as semolina (chhana), milk (ghee), and sugar syrup.
53 Pithe
Pitha is a type of cake or bread from the eastern states of the nation. It is most popular in Odisha, Assam and West Bengal. They are mainly made from rice flour, although some can also be made with wheat flour.
54 Rasabali
Rasabali is a delicacy from Odisha, India. This sweet dish is offered as a sacrifice to the Gods at various temples, with the most famous being Baladevjew Temple in Kendrapara. These patties are soaked with thickened, sweetened water, then various traditional spices are used to flavor them.
55 Ariselu
Ariselu is a delicacy tracing its roots from various states in the country. There are several names for this delicacy, such as tas kajjaaya from Kanada or Anarsa from Maharashtra.
56 Kakinada Khaja
Kakinada khaja is a sweet dish originating from Andhra Pradesh, India. Kakinada, a coastal town in Andhra Pradesh, is well-known for Khajas. It is made from wheat flour and sugar. It is believed that this sweet has been around for more than a century.
57 Khira Sagara
Khira sagara is a sweet that traces its roots from Orissa. Khira Sagara is made from marble-sized balls of chhena, which are then soaked in condensed dairy milk. The mixture is primarily made with traditional spices like cardamoms and saffron. This dish should be eaten cold but can also be served at room temperatures.
58 Cham Cham
Cham Cham is a Bengali sweet. It can be served in a variety colors. Coconut flakes can be used as a coating for this dish. The sweet’s shape is typically oval.
59 Chenna Gaja
Chhena gaja is a sweet dish from Odisha, India. This dish’s ingredients are similar to that of the rasagolla or chhena poda but are very different at tastes.
60 Sukhdi
Sukhdi is a sweet prepared with the help of wheat flour and jaggery in ghee. It is commonly eaten during holidays, weddings, or other auspicious occasions. It originated in Rajasthan, India.
61 Til Pitha
Til Pitha is a sweet dish similar to a pancake. It is often prepared on a festival such as Bihu in Assam. Bora Saul rice is soaked and then ground. After that, the rice is baked with different spices. This sweet dih is the result of many steps. Hesa Pitha, also known in Assam as Hesa Pitha.
62 Karanji
Karanji is a sweet deep-fried snack. These are typically made during Diwali and Pongal festivals. These contain coconut, sugar and jaggery/sugar as their main ingredients. It is delicious because it has a wheat flour outer layer and a filling inside. It is made mostly in Maharashtra.
63 Aaloo Ka Halwa
Aaloo ka halwa is made of mashed and boiled potatoes and ghee which adds to the wonderful aroma. It has various spices according to each one’s taste. It is a traditional delicacy of the Northern part of the county.
64 Boorelu
Boorelu is a sweet dish which is popular in the houses of Andhra. Deep fried sweet balls, this sweet dish is made with Bengal gram, jaggery and sugar.
65 Payasam
Payasam is the one dessert that is savoured in the South states. It means milk in Sanskrit. In Kerala on the auspicious festival of Onam, it is served in the traditional thali
66 Shufta
Shufta is a Kashmiri sweet dish. This dish is made from multiple dried fruits. It is mixed with sugar, kesar, and lightly spiced with soonth and pepper.
67 Double Ka Meetha
Double ka meetha is a sweet that is prepared with frying the bread slices in hot milk with spices. Hyderabad, Telangana is home to this famous dessert.
68 Quabani Ka Meetha
Qubani ka meetha is an Indian dessert which is prepared by drying the apricots. It originates from Hyderabad. The dessert is garnished in apricot seeds and blanched almonds.
69 Sheer Khurma
Sheer Khurma is a dessert made during festivals with the help of vermicelli pudding. This dessert is often made by Muslims during festivals such as Eid ul-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. This dish is made with dried dates.
70 Mahim Halwa
Mahim Halwa is an Indian sweet. It was named after Mahim Halwa Mahim Halwa, a Mumbai suburb. This is a Mumbai specialty.
India has not 70 but much more of sweets and desserts that the nation or state can brag about. We can proudly boast about these dishes to foreign tourists or other nations that visit the country.
