Andrea AbbondanzaAre you a fan of sweets and desserts? Then you’ll definitely want to explore the iconic sweets of India! With its diverse culture and rich history, India is a treasure trove of culinary delights, especially regarding desserts.
What are the most famous Indian desserts? From creamy kheer to flaky jalebi, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the most famous Indian desserts that have become beloved in India and worldwide!
7 Most Popular Indian Desserts
India is home to a delectable world of sweets. So, what are the most famous Indian desserts? Check them out here!
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is a classic Indian dessert with deep-fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup. The name “Gulab” is derived from the Persian word for ‘rose water,’ a common ingredient in the sweet sugar syrup.
This sweet dish’s distinctive taste and texture is the use of khoya or milk solids in the dough. After deep-fried, the dough balls are immersed in a syrup prepared with sugar, water, and sometimes fragrant cardamom and saffron. It is commonly served at festivals, weddings, and other celebratory occasions.
Kulfi
Kulfi is a popular frozen dairy dessert that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is often referred to as “traditional Indian ice cream” and is made from sweetened, flavored milk that has been slowly simmered until reduced to a creamy, thick consistency.
It comes in various flavors, including cardamom, rose, saffron, pistachio, and mango. It is often garnished with chopped nuts, such as almonds or pistachios.
Jalebi
Jalebi is a traditional Indian dessert that is also popular in neighboring countries made by deep-frying a wheat flour batter into a pretzel or spiral shape, then soaked in sugar syrup.
It has a crispy exterior and a syrupy interior and is often garnished with nuts or saffron strands. It is commonly served during festivals and special occasions.
Ras Malai
Ras Malai is a popular dessert during celebrations and festivities consisting of soft, flattened cheese balls soaked in a malai or clotted cream and flavored with cardamom.
The cheese balls, or “chhena,” are made by curdling milk and then kneading it into small balls. These balls are then cooked in a mixture of sugar and water until soft and spongy and soaked in a thickened milk sauce flavored with cardamom and saffron.
Falooda
Falooda is a popular and refreshing Indian sweet drink that combines sweetened milk with vermicelli noodles, basil seeds, rose syrup, and ice cream or kulfi.
The drink has a unique texture due to the soft gelatinous basil seeds and the crunchy vermicelli noodles. Falooda is often served in tall glasses and is a favorite drink during the summer months.
Kheer
Kheer is an aromatic, creamy dessert popular in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. It is made by simmering rice or vermicelli noodles in milk that has been sweetened and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and sometimes rose water.
The slow cooking process infuses the flavors, resulting in a rich, pudding-like consistency. Kheer can be served cold or hot and is often garnished with chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios.
Puran Poli
Puran Poli is a classic Indian flatbread that is especially popular in the western states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. It is made by stuffing a dough made of white flour with a sweet mixture of cooked lentils, jaggery (unrefined cane sugar), and cardamom powder.
The dough is then rolled into thin rounds and cooked on a griddle with ghee (clarified butter) until golden brown and crispy. Usually, it is served with a dollop of ghee or served warm with milk and is a staple during religious festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Holi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national delicacy of India?
The national delicacy of India is Khichdi, a salty porridge cuisine made of rice and lentils.
What is the oldest Indian dish?
The oldest known Indian dish is Aloo ki kachori, a deep-fried puffed Indian bread stuffed with potatoes.
Which dessert is the king of India?
The king of Indian dessert is gulab jamun.
Conclusion
Overall, exploring India’s wide variety of iconic sweets can be a delightful experience for anyone with a discerning palate. From creamy kheer to sweet gulab jamun, the country has an array of desserts that offer an explosion of flavors and aromas. Not only are these treats tasty, but they also have cultural significance, often associated with Indian festivals and celebrations.
Whether you’re a sweet tooth visiting India to taste popular Indian foods or simply wish to try new Indian dessert recipes in your own kitchen, take the time to indulge in some of the amazing Indian desserts!
