If you want to add some new flavors to your sweets rotation, you’ll love these delicious Indian Desserts!
These recipes are so different from the desserts most Westerners grew up on. They often use ingredients like pistachios and cardamom, adding exotic flavors.
You’re sure to impress family and guests with these Indian desserts. They’re all delicious and bursting with great flavors and textures. Plus, you’ll be surprised how easy they are!
Go through all of these Indian sweets, we hope you love them as much as we do!
Indian Desserts:
1. Gulab Jamun
We’re starting this amazing Indian Dessert recipes list with India’s most famous and favorite dessert, Gulab Jamun. Soft, spongy and melt in your mouth, Gulab Jamun is drenched in delicately flavored sugar syrup. It’s a traditional sweet perfect for birthdays, parties, celebrations, and festivals!
Get the Recipe @ indianhealthyrecipes
2. Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
This Gajar Halwa is one of quintessential winter desserts, especially in North Indian, and is rich and decadent. This delicious dessert is delicately scented with cardamom powder and garnished with nuts, making it irresistibly tasty. It is served hot or cold during all festivals in India!
Get the Recipe @ hebbarskitchen
3. Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge)
This gluten free Indian Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge) recipe is made by grinding and kneading cashew nuts into a nutty dough, then cutting them in diamond shapes. They’re spread with a delicate layer of silver leaf to give a celebratory finish. This recipe also makes great edible gifts for friends and family during Diwali celebrations. An absolutely delicious and addictive dessert!
Get the Recipe @ aromaticessence
4. Rasgulla (White Syrupy Dumplings)
Rasgulla is a popular milk based sweet treat that originates from the state of West Bengal. This dessert is prepared with Indian cottage cheese that is shaped into a ball and cooked in sugar syrup. The end result is a rewarding, melt in your mouth, soft and spongy Rasgulla. It’s one of our favorite Indian desserts!
Get the Recipe @ indianhealthyrecipes
5. Falooda (Sweet Creamy Noodles)
Falooda is a delicious dessert drink and a perfect summer treat to satisfy your sweet cravings! It’s a dessert, beverage, sundae and ice cream float all rolled into one fabulous concoction, which is very easy to make. With its origin in Persian cuisine, this dessert drink has become a favorite summer obsession throughout the Indian subcontinent!
Get the Recipe @ spiceupthecurry
6. Mishti Doi (Sweet Yogurt)
Mishti means sweet, and doi means yogurt, so in short it can be called sweetened yogurt. This Mishti Doi is a classic Bengali sweet that is mild, light and extremely addictive. This makes a great dessert option when entertaining guests over an Indian meal!
Get the Recipe @ playfulcooking
7. Kulfi (Indian Ice Cream)
Kulfi is an authentic and traditional Indian ice cream which is loved by everyone. This Kulfi ice cream is an eggless, no churn recipe that’s incredibly rich, decadent and easy to make, without an ice cream maker. A super easy and creamy pistachio Kulfi will soon be your favorite ice cream!
Get the Recipe @ kitchenathoskins
8. Besan Ladoo (Roasted Gram Flour Balls)
Besan Ladoo is one of the most popular Indian desserts. These Ladoos are so fragrant, delicious and have a melt in your mouth texture. One of the easiest Diwali sweet recipes made with gram flour, ghee and sugar laced with aromatic cardamom.
Get the Recipe @ cookingfromheart
9. Rice Kheer (Indian Pudding)
Creamy and aromatic Rice Kheer (Indian Pudding) is made with basic ingredients, and is the quintessential Indian Dessert that every Indian grows up eating. This easy recipe is flavored with cardamom, nuts and saffron. It’s the best way to finish off an Indian meal. Kheer is also called payasum, payesh and phirni! You all will love it!
10. Ras Malai (Cottage Cheese Balls in Clotted Cream)
Ras malai is a famous dessert of eastern India, although it’s very famous all over India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This easy recipe is made with soft paneer balls soaked in a sweetened milk garnished with nuts and served chilled. Ras Malai is made during festivals and special occasions.
Get the Recipe @ cookingwithmanali
11. Kalakand (Milk Cake)
This Kalakand (Milk Cake) recipe is a rich, soft, creamy dessert that will melt in your mouth. This cardamom spiced milk cake is a perfect treat for any festival or special occasion. It’s a sweet that most people buy in stores because of how long it takes to make, but this recipe is a shortcut that doesn’t sacrifice flavor!
Get the Recipe @ mygingergarlickitchen
12. Nankhatai (Shortbread Biscuits)
This easy Nankhatai recipe yields some buttery and melt in your mouth shortbread cookies that you will end up making again and again. These light and crispy traditional Indian cookies can be a perfect bite sized teatime snack!
Get the Recipe @ spiceupthecurry
13. Shondesh (Traditional Bengali Confectionery)
Shondesh is a delicious Bengali sweet popular all over India and abroad. It is often made for festivals or for special occasions. There are so many variations of sandesh, but this one is such a simple and easy recipe which you will love and enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ hebbarskitchen
14. Peanut Chikki (Peanut Brittle)
Beautiful caramelized, sweet, perfectly crisp and crunchy Peanut Chikki is the most loved delicacy, and is a staple in Indian homes. This recipe is very easy to make with only 3 ingredients, and takes only 20 minutes of your time. Give them a try!
Get the Recipe @ cookwithmanali
15. Jalebi (Spiral Shaped Crunchy Sweets)
Jalebi, a Spiral shaped crunchy sweet dipped in saffron laced sugar syrup, is a traditional and very famous Indian sweet. It’s generally prepared on the festivals like Diwali and Ramadan, and is enjoyed with Rabadi (thickened milk) or other Indian snacks. This easy recipe shows 2 ways to make this super delicious sweet.
Get the Recipe @ rumkisgoldenspoon
16. Sooji Halwa (Semolina Pudding)
Halwas are easy and delicious Indian desserts that have a pudding-like texture. They can be made with all kinds of ingredients like lentils and veggies, fruits and grains. This recipe of Sooji Halwa is a popular version for many families, because it is one of those simple but very satisfying desserts that hits the sweets cravings every time!
Get the Recipe @ pipingpotcurry
17. Aam Papad (Mango Crisp Cake)
This Aam Papad is a traditional and authentic sun dried mango pulp recipe served as a confectionery. The recipe is very simple and easy to make, as it does not contain any complicated ingredients. This Aam Papad can be stored for months.
Get the Recipe @ playfulcooking
18. Malpua (Indian Pancake)
Malpua is a classic Indian style eggless pancake soaked in sugar syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth craving. Crisp on the edges and fluffy and soft in the middle, these Pancakes are flavored with cardamom and fennel. This delicious Malpua is a quintessential sweet for Holi and other special occasions!
Get the Recipe @ indianhealthyrecipes
19. Soan Papdi (Flaky India Sweet)
Soan Papdi is a very light and flaky sweet that is available in almost every sweet shop in India. A simple but very delicious sweet, this is one which no one can say no to. Making this at home and make it super tasty and healthy!
Get the Recipe @ cookwithkhushi
20. Balu Shahi (Sweet Indian Donut)
Balu Shahi is a mouthwatering dessert made from maida flour, clarified butter and sugar. This recipe is fairly simple, and its ingredients are similar to those donuts, although the taste and the texture widely varies. It’s a popular dessert at weddings and festivals too!
Get the Recipe @ cookingcarnival
21. Modak (Maharashrian Steamed Dumplings)
Modak is a very popular Maharashrian dessert made during the festivals of Ganpati. The shell is made with soft rice flour dough and stuffed with sweet coconut jaggery filling. This recipe has detailed tips and tricks to make them perfectly!
Get the Recipe @ hebbarskitchen
22. Chum Chum
Chum Chum is another prominent Bengali sweet dish that resembles rasgulla, but it’s oval shaped and served without sugar syrup. These Chum Chum are a bit more decorative and elaborate than rasgulla, and you can make these vivid varieties at home. They’ll be loved by everyone!
23. Petha (Soft Indian Candy)
A translucent or white colored candy or dessert recipe made from ash gourd (also called white pumpkin or winter melon). It’s famous in North India, particularly in Agra, and hence it’s also known as Agra Petha.
24. Shrikhand (Assorted Silky Smooth Yogurt)
Shrikhand is a classic Indian dessert made using hung curd and powdered sugar, and it is served with puri. A popular dessert in the Western Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. This is a delicious assortment of silky smooth curd, a hint of cardamom aromatic saffron and crunchy dry fruits.
25. Coconut Burfi (Snowy Fudge)
This Coconut Burfi is a simple and tasty Indian fudge recipe prepared mainly with grated coconut, sugar and a hint of cardamom. It is a common Indian dessert recipe prepared during Diwali and all other festivals. You will simply love this Coconut Burfi!
Get the Recipe @ subbuskitchen
26. Chhena Gaja (Cottage Cheese Pastry)
This Chhena Gaja recipe is an absolutely delicious and easy to make sweet from the beautiful state of Odisha. It’s essentially a deep fried square of freshly made cottage cheese soaked in sugar syrup.
Get the Recipe @ gayathriscookspot
27. Thekua (Cookie from Bihar)
This Thekua recipe is a pure Bihari delicacy, which is immensely popular in eastern India. This recipe with jaggery is very simple and easy to make. It is mostly served as an evening snack, or at teatime with a cup of hot tea.
Get the Recipe @ vegrecipesofindia
28. Lobongo Lotika (Parcel Sealed with Clove)
Lobongo Lotika, also known as Laung Latika, is a classic Bengali sweetmeat where a pastry dough is folded and stuffed, and then sealed with a clove before being deep fried and then dunked in thick sugar syrup. You will love this pastry like dessert!
29. Sweet Lassi (Chilled Yogurt Shake)
This simple homemade Sweet Lassi is very popular not only in North Indian households, but also all over India. It’s a refreshing, sweet, creamy and cooling drink for summer. There are many variations of lassi.
Get the Recipe @ shwetainthekitchen
30. Sitabhog (Sweetened Rice)
Sitabhog is a famous dessert in West Bengal and one of the most well liked of recent trending foods in the world. This Sitabhog is a flavorful dessert made of white rice or vermicelli mixed with small pieces of gulab jamun. It’s a very easy and tasty recipe.
Get the Recipe @ archanaskitchen
31. Mysore Pak (Sweet Fudge from Mysore)
Mysore Pak – make any occasion extra special with this classic South Indian sweet! With its amazing melt in your mouth texture, this is sure to impress kids and adults alike. Without a doubt, this is a fabulous recipe to end your meal on a sweet note!
Get the Recipe @ mygingergarlickitchen
32. Easy Rabdi
Rabdi is one of the best recipes in this list of Indian desserts. It is basically a sweet thickened milk. Traditionally, it’s made by reducing the milk with continuous simmering for hours, but this instant Rabdi recipe is a quick solution without compromising on its taste! Best served with Jalebi!
Get the Recipe @ carveyourcraving
33. Gujiya (Indian Pasty)
Gujiyas are sweet dumplings made of maida or flour and filled with a delightful khoya and dry fruits mixture, then is deep fried. These Gujiyas are popular in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It’s a classic Indian dessert.
Get the recipe @ vegrecipesofindia
34. Milk Peda (Sweetened Milk Solid)
This is the instant version of making a Milk Peda recipe. Peda is a popular and traditional sweet recipe, which is perfect for Diwali, Holi, and Raksha Bandhan. This recipe is usually made from khoya, but this instant method it’s made with condensed milk and milk powder.
Get the Recipe @ shwetainthekitchen
35. Mango Burfi
We are ending this Indian dessert list with delicious fruity dessert.. Mango Burfi!! Made with mango pulp, dry milk powder, cardamom, and saffron, this melt-in-your-mouth mango burfi is flavorful, fragrant, and rich! Perfect for a festive occasion!
Wow, thirty five amazing Indian Desserts for you to make in your own kitchen. This list will surely satisfy your sweet tooth!
Take a look at these other sweet recipe collections!
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Cheesecake Recipes
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The 35 BEST Indian Treats
This great collection of Indian Desserts will add exotic flavors to the end of your meals and satisfy your sweet tooth. We love this super easy mango lassi:
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced mango
- 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 Tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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Thank you so much dear 💖
The 35 BEST Indian Desserts’ is a mouthwatering culinary tour through the diverse world of Indian sweets. This extensive list showcases the rich, flavorful, and sweet traditions of India. It’s a delightful and tempting resource for anyone with a sweet tooth or an interest in Indian cuisine. I’m excited to explore these desserts and savor the rich flavors and textures they offer. Thanks for creating such a wonderful compilation.
Woah! That was a really long and interesting list of the best indian desserts. Just a small feedback that could make it even more interesting. Your list mentions kaju katli and aam papad. I know of some variations of these desserts on the website called The Sweet Blend, that could be even more fun than these 2 traditional dishes. Rose kaju katli, kesar kaju katli and a unique fusion sweet called Raw mango crunch bites. Probably these could be add some uniqueness to this entire list of dishes. Apart from that, great blog. Loved the content!
The vibrant flavors and exquisite presentation of these Indian desserts captured my imagination and left my taste buds longing for more. This delightful compilation truly showcases the richness and diversity of Indian culinary traditions. A delectable journey through sweet indulgence!