Do you love sweets like cakes and puddings? If so, you’ll go crazy for this collection of 30 Indian desserts; these will make you think about traveling to India!
I’m a big fan of the whole “eat dessert first” philosophy, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I go out of my way to ensure that every meal is accompanied by something sweet.
It’s just how I do things, but it’s also why I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy dessert.
That’s why I’m glad I discovered Indian desserts.
Indian desserts are the best kind of indulgent treats.
They’re simple, but they’re not dull.
They’re sweet but won’t hurt your teeth (they’ll just make you want to smile).
They’re easy to make at home, but they also taste like they were made by a professional chef who has spent years perfecting their craft.
And they’re one of my favorite desserts.
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But when it comes to sweets, Indian desserts are usually one of the most underrepresented groups.
Sure, you can have Gulab Jamun (which is donut holes dipped in honey), Kulfi (which is a frozen treat made with milk and nuts), and Jalebi (fried dough dipped in syrup), but what else do most people know?
Not much!
That’s why today, I’m going to show you some Indian desserts that you can make at home—and what makes them unique!
You’ll even be surprised by how beautiful and tasty #29 is!
Plus, you can find all the recipes you need right here!
1. Rasgulla
Rasgulla is a soft, spongy ball of cottage cheese soaked in sugar syrup and chilled to perfection.
It’s so light and fluffy that you’ll forget you’re eating anything!
And when you sink your teeth into it, watch out—it will melt right in your mouth!
2. Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is sweet and succulent; fried dough balls are traditionally served warm.
They taste a bit like raisins with a kick from the cardamom and a floral aroma from the rose syrup.
They’re also tender, pillowy, and so good you’ll want to eat them daily!
4. Ras Malai
Ras Malai is the ball of paneer you never knew you needed.
At first glance, it’s a simple flattened ball of Indian cottage cheese soaked in sweet, cardamom-spiced milk.
But when you try it, you’ll find that the texture is light and creamy, with a texture that’s slightly porous and just begging to be squeezed in your mouth.
Then there’s also the heady, musky scent of saffron that’ll make you drool before you even taste it.
Kheer is the Indian version of rice pudding—but it’s so much more than that!
It has mellow yet complex flavors and a creamy texture.
And it’s just decadent enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, but the aroma is what will keep you coming back for more.
6. Peda
You’ve got to try Peda.
It’s a sweet treat with condensed milk and milk powder mixed with just the right amount of sweetness from sugar.
And it comes in a soft, slightly chewed-on texture that’s a little bit like taffy.
The best part? It tastes fantastic, too!
Each piece of Peda is topped with pistachios and delicately flavored with cardamom powder and saffron.
Kalakand is like a mix between a cake and soft fudge.
It’s soft, moist, and firm at the same time.
And it has a delicate texture that crumbles in your mouth when you take your first bite.
Eating Kalakand is like munching into an ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie, but it’s not chocolate.
It’s just as tasty and decadent, but with an exotic twist: it’s a cardamom-spiced milk cake!
When you enter the world of Indian desserts, you might think you’ve seen it all.
But then you meet Motichoor Ladoo.
This round-shaped sweetmeat made with saffron food color and ground chickpea flour is slightly nutty and crumbly in texture.
It’s also incredibly soft and light on the palate, which makes it an easy-to-eat treat for any occasion.
You can eat them alone or serve them with your favorite lassi for a decadent dessert experience!
It’s all up to you.
Gajar Ka Halwa is a simple carrot pudding with a blended aroma of milk, nuts, and common spices and is one of the most popular Indian desserts.
It’s easy to see why this dessert is so beloved by many: it’s sweet and creamy and doesn’t make you feel like you’re eating carrots.
You can even enjoy it without feeling guilty about indulging in something delicious.
11. Katju Katli
Kaju Katli will be one of the most exquisite mouthfuls you’ve ever tasted.
A smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture and a mildly flavored cashew nut taste will have you feeling like you just won the lottery with every bite.
Plus, it’s rich and decadent.
It’s a burst of sweet and nutty flavors that will make your taste buds jump for joy.
12. Soan Papdi
Soan Papdi is a very light and airy sweet.
Its subtle cardamom flavor and flaky melty texture make you want to reach for more.
It’s also made similarly to how taffy is made—you just pull and stretch a sticky lump of boiled sugar until you have a handful of beautiful, thin strands.
Kulfi is an excellent, creamy treat that’s a lot like ice cream in appearance but is denser and creamier than your average scoop.
It has a natural graininess from the nuts used, and it’s perfumed with saffron, cardamom, and rosewater.
Here’s another bonus—it’s eggless too!
So, you can freely eat this frozen dessert without worrying about eating raw eggs.
Shrikhand is like yogurt, sweetened with sugar.
But it’s a lot fancier than that.
It’s thick, creamy, refreshing, and flavored with saffron, cardamom, almonds, and pistachio.
And it’s like getting your favorite dessert in a new light: with just the right balance of sweet and tart, you’ll find yourself digging into this dessert again and again!
15. Modak
Modak is the sweetest of dumplings, light as a soufflé and delicate as dandelion fluff—and you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten one.
It calls for rice flour, but it’s not too heavy.
And it’s stuffed with sweet jaggery and coconut.
The result is a bite of savory and sweet.
Moreover, it comes in different shapes to enjoy the variety!
16. Puran Poli
It’s time to add some pizzazz to your life with puran poli, the sweet flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil filling that you’ve been looking for.
Puran Poli is a sweet, flavorful, aromatic flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil filling that will make you want to eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It’s a flatbread that makes your mouth water and your soul smile—a true delight for every taste bud.
17. Mysore Pak
There’s a reason mysore pak is a classic.
It’s soft, fudgy, delicately rich, and sweet.
It combines chickpea flour with sugar and ghee (clarified butter).
And it’s a treat that makes you feel like a kid again—the kind of thing that makes you wish for warm evenings spent laughing with friends on your front porch.
In other words: it’s terrific.
Are you a fan of peanut brittle?
Then you will love til mungfali ki chikki.
It’s made with the same ingredients: peanuts, sweetener, and sesame seed.
But this stuff is just better.
It’s delightfully crunchy, sweet, and salty at the same time and addicting.
Truly, til mungfali ki chikki is different from regular peanut brittle.
And it’s much better!
19. Malpua
Malpua is a fried pancake dipped in creamy and sugary syrup.
It’s soft and spongy inside and crisp and lacy on the outside.
And it’s made with cardamom and fennel scented batter.
It also has just enough sweetness so that you can taste every flavor in the batter without being overwhelmed by sugar.
20. Mango Halwa
This Mango Halwa is a delicious, luscious treat made by simmering mango puree continuously with milk to achieve that halwa-like texture.
The tartness of the mango also pairs perfectly with the sweet and creamy sweetness of the milk.
You’re going to love it!
Seviyan Kheer is a milky and sweet pudding.
And with it, you’ll get all the creaminess you crave, but with a sophisticated twist—it’s made from vermicelli, milk, sugar, and a lot of love.
But then you’ll also taste a bit of saffron—just enough to give it a slightly exotic flair without overpowering.
Add some nuts or dried fruit if you want a little extra crunchy texture.
22. Phirni
Did you know that phirni is just like kheer, but different?
Well, it’s true!
Phirni is made with ground rice instead.
It’s also cooked on a slow flame to get that creamy, rich, and thick texture—it’s almost porridge-like!
And best of all? It’s deliciously flavored with cardamom powder and saffron.
23. Gujiya
Gujiya is a crispy, flaky pastry that’s hard to forget once you try it.
It’s tasty and sweet, with delicate milk solids and nut stuffing.
And just like the empanada, Gujiya also has an arch or half-moon shape.
It’s like Mexican empanada but sweet!
Try this recipe if you want a simple yet flavorful dessert that will get everyone talking!
24. Nei Appam
Nei Appam is a traditional sweet from South India.
It’s made by blending rice flour with powdered jaggery, then simmering it in ghee.
They’re simmered until they take on a golden brown color and have a crispy crust that adds to the flavor.
But the aroma of ghee makes these sweet morsels so unique.
25. Falooda
You’ve heard of Falooda, right?
It’s that thing you see at the Indian restaurant that looks like a creamy milkshake but tastes like a beautiful floral fragrance.
And it has chewy vermicelli noodles, basil seeds, and tangy jello—everything you need to make your mouth happy.
It’s a dessert that just screams “indulgence.”
26. Rabri
Rabri is like a hug from your grandma; it’s milky, warm (although it can be served chilled), and makes you feel like everything will be okay.
It’s dense, creamy, crunchy nuts in a deliciously thick sweetened milk flavored with rose water and cardamom.
And it’s a delightful combination of sweet flavors and textures that keeps you going in for another spoonful.
27. Shahi Tukda
If you’re ready to take your dessert game to the next level, you must try this.
I’m talking about Shahi Tukda—the ultimate Indian dessert dripping with flavor.
It’s made with bread, which is fried with ghee.
Then it gets soaked in sugar syrup and topped with rich and creamy rabri and chopped nuts.
You’ll experience the freshness, richness, and addicting flavor as soon as you put it in your mouth.
And trust me, there’s nothing better than a warm piece of soft and crusty bread swimming in creamy goodness.
Ghevar is a royal Rajasthan dessert that’s been around for a long time.
This disc-shaped sweet treat has an intricate pattern similar to a honey crumb, and it’s made by layering a soft and chewy dough with sugar syrup.
The result is a sweet, saccharine treat full of crunch—just like the empire itself.
29. Chum Chum
When you’re looking for that perfect, fuss-free dessert to make, Chum Chum is the answer!
Soft, spongy, juicy, and delectable, it’s made from curdled milk rolled in sugar syrup.
You can also stuff these chum chums with different styles of creamy filling—I recommend pistachio or a custard.
But do you know what makes this dessert even better?
The fact that it’s all kinds of textures at once: creamy filling in the middle, soft porous paneer on the outside, crunchy mawa flakes on top, and crunchy nuts sprinkled throughout.
It’s like eating one big bite of a mouthwatering cake!
30. Basundi
You’ve probably never heard of Basundi, but it’s one of the creamiest and most succulent Indian desserts you’ll ever taste.
It’s a milk dessert with only three ingredients: sweetened, thickened milk, chopped nuts, and cardamom.
And it’s like rabri, and only it’s smooth and creamy instead of flaky.
The bottom line
And there you have it!
These 30 Indian desserts will make your mouth water, your heart race, and your stomach grumble.
These Indian sweet treats will satisfy your sweet tooth and help you get through the next few days of work, school, or just plain old life.
So, take a break from the mundane and treat yourself to one (or more) of these Indian desserts.
You deserve it!
Want more Indian recipe inspirations? Check out these compilations!
30 BEST Indian Desserts ❤️
Here’s my new list of 30 Indian Desserts that will be perfect for a sweet taste of India.
Ingredients
- Rasgulla
- Gulab Jamun
- Jalebi
- Ras Malai
- Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
- Peda
- Badusha
- Kalakand (Milk Pudding)
- Motichoor Ladoo
- Gajar Ka Halwa (Indian Carrot Pudding)
- Katju Katli
- Soan Papdi
- Kulfi (No-Churn Indian Ice Cream)
- Shrikhand (Flavored Yogurt Dessert)
- Modak
- Puran Poli
- Mysore Pak
- Til Mungfali Ki Chikki (Indian Peanut Brittle)
- Malpua
- Mango Halwa
- Seviyan Kheer (Vermicelli Kheer)
- Phirni
- Gujiya
- Nei Appam
- Falooda
- Rabri
- Shahi Tukda
- Ghevar (Indian Honeycomb Sweet)
- Chum Chum
- Basundi
Instructions
- Choose your favorite recipe from our list of Indian Desserts!
- Wave your magic wand to make it your special recipe.
- Leave a comment on our Facebook page and share your new sweet treat.