India has one of the most surprising food cultures in the entire world. The desserts and the sweets that we prepare in India have got worldwide recognition. They are totally different from the desserts that are made in the rest of the world. Indian sweets are so different and are loaded with intense sweetness, fragrances, and incredible flavors. Also, while the desserts from the western world are baked, Indian sweets are never baked and are freshly prepared and consumed on the same day. Let us discuss the top ten famous sweets and desserts in India.
1. Gulab Jamun:
Gulab Jamun is also referred to as Indian donuts and is a very classic Indian sweet. Gulab jamuns are very famous during festivals, especially in the northern parts of the country. Gulab jamuns are either made of khoya or milk powder and are little treats that are intensely sweet. A small dumpling of Gulab jamun is enough to satisfy one’s cravings.
2. Jalebi:
Jalebis are sweet, brightly colored, and sticky and are deep-fried in oil. They are spiral and funnel-shaped cakes that are made either with lentil flour or wheat flour. After the jalebi’s are fried, they are soaked in sugar syrup, and are flavored with cardamom and saffron. The best part of tasting the Jalebi’s is that, though they are crunchy on the outside, they turn out to be chewy on the inside. The batter to prepare jalebi is made with chickpea flour, and the bright color of the sweet is derived from saffron or food colorings.
3. Basundi:
Basundi is a rich and delicious sweet made of thickened milk and is similar to the North Indian rabdi in taste and flavor. It is prepared by boiling the milk in a thick-bottomed pan till the milk gets reduced. It is garnished with almonds and pistachios to add crunch to its creamy and rich flavor. It is served either hot or cold and is a predominant dessert made during the festivals of Navratri, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, etc.
4. Besan laddoo:
It is one of the most popular sweet recipes in the Indian cuisine. Different names know it and it is a relished dessert for different festivals, family events, and other occasions. Most of the Indians taste this recipe as prasadham in some temples. The ingredients for making this laddoo recipe are available in every Indian pantry, and to give it a nutty flavor, it is generally garnished with cashews, raisins, and cucumber seeds.
5. Rasgulla:
Rasgulla is one of the most delicious sweets in the Indian cuisine. It is one of the most delicious-tasting sweets with a very soft and spongy structure. It is also known as syrup syrup-filled roll and is famous all over the country, especially in Odisha and Kolkata. Rasgulla is made with simple and easily available ingredients such as cottage cheese and sugar syrup.
6. Kaju Katli:
Kaju Katli, made from cashews, is known as the king of Indian sweets. It is always in high demand and is expensive in the Indian market. This is a delicious north Indian sweet that is made from cardamom powder, cashew nuts, and sugar. Apart from being a very popular Indian sweet, it is also probably one of the most gifted ones, during important festivals like Diwali. It is made by grinding cashews and cooking them in milk and sugar to get a smooth texture.
7. Rasamalai:
Rasamalai ranks on top of the most authentic Indian sweet recipes. It is a very famous recipe and is popular among most Indians, owing to its soft and spongy texture and delicious taste. Rasamali is also known as the royal sweet and is generally served at weddings and is distributed during special occasions. They are made from cottage cheese and are then boiled in sugar syrup. The cottage cheese balls are then dunked in the kesar flavored milk that has a silky sweet texture. Rasamalai is a royal and classic Bengali dessert that tempts people to consume.
8. Kheer:
Kheer is an all time favorite dessert in India and is a staple in most households across the country. The recipe is made with a simple combination of milk and rice and is also the go-to dessert for guests, as it is simple to make. It is prepared by boiling the rice in either milk or water until it thickens, and then sugar is added for the sweetness. The kheer is garnished with nuts and raisins, and the dessert is enjoyed either hot or cold. The recipe has a creamy and satisfying flavor and stands the test of time to remain the most popular dessert in India.
9. Khaja:
Khaja is the most delicious Dessert from Odisha, which is also a true delight for the taste buds. We will require only simple ingredients like sugar, flour, and ghee to prepare this recipe. Though this is a simple, sweet recipe, it is indeed bliss to taste. Unlike the other Indian sweet recipes, Khaja has a crunchy texture and thus will definitely soothe the sweet tooth of those who taste it. The sweet has a perfect balance of sweetness and crunchiness, making it stand apart from its peers. It is a perfect dessert to taste, irrespective of whether you are looking for a sweet treat or a quick snack. The popularity of the sweet has extended beyond Odisha and is now enjoyed all over the country.
10. Kesar Peda:
Kesar Peda is a very famous sweet recipe from the Indian subcontinent and has its origin in Mathura. The sweet is generally prepared as thick and semi-soft pieces and is predominantly made from khoa, sugar and milk. The sweet recipe is garnished with other traditional flavors, such as pistachio nuts, saffron, and cardamom seeds. The peda could either be while in color, or slightly as caramel color, depending on the use of saffron.
Everyone should taste these delicious Indian sweets and dessert recipes as they are an indispensable part of our diet menu. Most of them are made from fresh and traditional ingredients and are garnished with medicinal herbs like cardamom, saffron etc, so that excess sweet intake doesn’t affect our system. They also have bright colors and soothing textures to stimulate one’s appetite and satisfy their sweet tooth.
