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This post is all about the list of the best Indian desserts and sweets recipes that you can easily make at home for any festival, special occasion, or dinner party.
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Indian sweets and desserts
Indian sweets, also known as mithai or Indian treats, are diverse, with a wide range of delicacies that have different textures and flavors prepared using flour, milk, desi ghee, sugar, nuts, and cardamom or saffron.
India is a land of festivals, and the best part about these festivals is that they are celebrated in the communityby sharing and eating sweets or mithai and lots of them🙂 The variety of sweets prepared in India is countless, and each sweet recipe has several regional variations to it.
Some sweets are given in the form of gift boxes or mithai boxes during festivals like Diwali, and Raksha Bandhan, while other sweets are offered to a god in the form of Naivedyam during Navratri, Ganesh Chaturthi and then distributed as prasadam.
In this post, you will find some traditional, authentic, popular, and fusion Indian desserts and sweets that can be made ahead of time or some sweets that can be made in less than 30 minutes, all from North Indian and South India for Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Karwa Chauth, Holi, Diwali, 9 days of Navratri, Ram Navami, Yugadi, Eid, Shravan (sawa), Varamahalakshmi vratam etc.
If you want to check outthe list of Indian sweets and desserts based on geographic locations,read this post. (Src: Wiki)
What are the most popular desserts in India?
Numerous Indian desserts are enjoyed across the county. The most popular or famous Indian sweets names are gulab jamun, rasgulla, jalebi, any variety of barfi, ladoo, halwa, peda, soan papdi, and Mysore pak.
Popular on my blog, loved by my readers, are plain white milk powder burfi, Indian pastry balushahi, Karachi halwa, and nankhatai.
Halwa / Indian Pudding
Halwa (halva) is a no-bake Indian pudding dessert that comes with different flavors and textures based on the ingredients used. Some popular halwa flavors include wheat (atta) halwa, carrot halwa, suji (semolina) halwa, banana halwa, besan halwa, moong dal halwa, Bombay karachi halwa, etc. Don't miss to check out the halwa poori chana prasad prepared during Navratri as prasad and naivedyam.
Atta Halwa (Wheat Halwa or Kada Prasad)
Atta Halwais a classic and rich, soft, and delicious melt-in-mouth Indian dessert prepared usingthree ingredients(wheat flour or atta, desi ghee, and sugar)inless than 20 minutes.This Indian sweet is prepared during auspicious occasions and festivals like Navratri, Diwali. Wheat halwa is also known as atte ka halwa, karkala cake, or kada prasad.
Check out this recipe.
Indian Carrot Halwa
Carrot Halwa, popularly known asGajar Ka Halwa or Gajar Halwa,is a classic and rich, decadent melt-in-mouth Indian pudding dessert packed with dry fruits and nuts. A dessert that will impress everyone.
Check out this recipe.
Moong Dal Halwa
Moong Dal Halwa is a classic, rich and delicious melt-in-mouth Indian dessert prepared using yellow lentil (mung), sugar, and ghee as the main ingredients. This traditional dessert from Rajasthan is prepared mainly during winter as it helps keep your body warm. Mung Dal Halwa is also prepared during festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, and Weddings (Shadi).
Check out this recipe.
Bombay Karachi Halwa
Bombay Halwa or Karachi Halwa is a melt-in-mouth Indian sweet recipe that you should try during this Diwali festival.
Check out this recipe.
Traditional Suji Halwa (Sheera)
Sheera is a popular Indian pudding dessert recipe with delicious flavor, ready in less than 20 minutes. Sheera Recipe or Sooji Ka Halwa is prepared using ghee, rava (sooji, semolina), sugar, and dried fruits & nuts of your choice.
This Indian dessert is offered to God during Ganesh Chaturthi, Varalakshmi pooja, Navratri, Diwali, Ram Navami, Kanya puja, Makara Sankranti, Sai Guruvar, etc., in the form of naivedyam or prasad.
Check out this recipe.
- EASY BANANA HALWA | HOW TO MAKE BANANA HALWA
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- Mango Sheera | Mango Sooji Halwa | Mango Pudding
- Kashi Halwa | Ash Gourd Halwa | White Pumpkin Halwa
Laddu / Ladoo
Laddu, also known as laddoo or ladoo is a round-shaped Indian dessert recipe prepared using coconut (nariyal), besan(chickpeas), wheat (atta), along with sugar, ghee, and nuts. The popular laddu or mithai includes besan laddu, wheat ladoo, motichoor laddu, rava ladoo, coconut laddu, dry fruit ladoo, urad dal ladoo, etc.
Traditional Besan Ladoo
Besan Ladoo or Besan Laddu is a popular, best, and easy Indian sweet recipe prepared using gram flour (besan or chickpea flour), ghee, and sugar. These laddus are served or distributed to friends and family during special occasions and festivals such as Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Holi.
Check out this recipe.
Atta Ladoo (Wheat Laddu) with Jaggery
Atta Ladoo or Wheat Flour Laddu with Jaggery is a classic and rich, melt-in-mouth, and irresistibly delicious Indian sweet recipe that you should prepare during any special occasion. I bet you can’t stop after eating one. I have received rave reviews from those who have tasted this laddu, so I am sure it will be a crowd favorite when you serve it to your loved ones.
Check out this recipe.
Easy Coconut Ladoo
Coconut Ladoo, popularly known as Nariyal Ke Laddu, is a quick & easy to make, soft & melt-in-mouth instant Indian sweet prepared using three simple ingredients from your kitchen in less than 15 minutes. These laddus are gluten-free and can be easily made vegan.
Make this traditional coconut ladoo for Raksha Bandhan, Independence day, Janmashtami,Navratri,Ganesh Chaturthi,Diwali, Varamahalakshmi, or any special occasion any time of the year. It is very simple and easy to make and loved by all.
Check out this recipe.
Motichoor Laddu
Motichoor Ladoo is a popular Indian sweet recipe that is soft, flavorful, and will melt in your mouth. This Indian dessert is mainly prepared during special occasions and festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Raksha Bandhan.
Check out this recipe.
Badam Ladoo
Badam Laddu (Ladoo) or Almond bites are delicious, melt in mouth easy to make no-bake sweet prepared using 5 ingredients in less than 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe.
Barfi / Burfi
Barfi or Burfi is a favorite rich and fudgy Indian dessert recipe made using milk, milk powder, condensed milk, khoya (mawa), and paneer(cottage cheese) as key ingredients. Some popular burfi flavors include plain white milk burfi, besan barfi, coconut burfi with sugar or jaggery, khoya barfi, kaju katli or cashew burfi, badam barfi, gajar burfi.
Check out the complete list of Indian fudge or barfi sweet recipes.
Kaju Katli or Burfi Sweet
Kaju Katli or Kaju Barfi is a traditional and classic, popular Indian sweet recipe that has a smooth texture and nutty flavor made with only 3 ingredients and will literally melt in your mouth.
One of the best Indian desserts or sweets to gift in the form of a mithai box during special occasions or festivals like Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, Eid, Thanksgiving to your family and friends.
Check out this recipe.
Plain White Milk Burfi
Milk Barfi or Milk Powder Burfi is a popular, easy to make melt in mouth Indian dessert recipe prepared using five basic ingredients from your kitchen in less than 30 minutes—a perfect Indian sweet to make for Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, or any special occasion.
Check out this recipe.
7 Cup Barfi
7 Cup Burfiis rich and aromatic, quick and easy-to-make, melt-in-mouth Indian sweet or fudge prepared with 5 basic ingredients.
Because key ingredients here are besan/chickpea, milk, coconut, you can also call it besan, milk and nariyal burfi too 🙂
Check out this recipe.
Besan Burfi with Milk Powder
Besan Burfi or Besan Ki Barfi is a popular Indian sweet recipe that is nutty, soft, and mildly chewy and prepared using only 5 ingredients. This Indian dessert is gluten-free, no-bake.
Check out this recipe.
Traditional Coconut Burfi
Coconut Burfi (Nariyal Barfi) is a traditional Indian sweet recipe prepared using only three ingredients in less than 30 minutes. This barfi sweet is easy to make, highly addictive, and flavorful.
Check out this recipe.
Kheer / Payasam
Kheer or Payasam is a rich, classic, and royal Indian dessert that is made using milk, and sugar along with rice, semolina dal like moong dal, chana dal, vermicelli (seviyan), makhana, dates, etc. Some popular kheer includes rice or chawal ki kheer, chana dal kheer, moong dal kheer, sabudana kheer, vermicelli payasam, makhana kheer, nei payasam, ada pradhaman payasam, etc.
Rice Kheer | Chawal Ki Kheer | Doodhpak
Doodhpak or Kheer is a delightful and luxurious, traditional old fashioned Indian rice pudding prepared using rice, milk, nuts, and aromatic spices. This is dessert meant for the royals!
Check out this recipe.
Sabudana Kheer
Sabudana Kheer is a popular, decadent, creamy, and classic Indian sweet or pudding dessert prepared using tapioca or sago, milk, and sugar. Kheer can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe.
South Indian Temple Style Payasam
Temple Style Nei Paysamis a popular recipe from Kerala offered as naivedyam or prasadam at Sabarimala. The flavor in this kheer comes from the cooked rice blended with ghee and jaggery, a hint of warmth from the ginger powder. The addition of toasted coconut, nendran banana, and roasted dry fruits enhances the taste of this dish.
Check out this recipe.
Makhane Ki Kheer
Phool Makhana Kheer or Makhane Ki Kheeris a rich and creamy popular Indian pudding dessert prepared using foxnut (phool makhana), milk, desi ghee, nuts, and flavored with saffron (kesar) and/or cardamom powder. A perfect dessert for the royals.
Check out this recipe.
Sheer Khurma or Vermicelli Seviyan Kheer
Sheer Khurma is a traditional, rich and creamy vermicelli pudding dessert made with seviyan (vermicelli), milk, dates, sugar, and lots of dry fruits and nuts. It can be served hot or cold. One of the best and easy desserts you can make for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or festivals like Eid, Diwali, and Christmas.
Check out this recipe.
- Chana Dal Sabudana Kheer With Jaggery | Payasam | Payasa
- Semiya Payasam Recipe | Vermicelli Kheer - Easy Indian Dessert
- Temple Style Sweet Pongal Recipe | Sakkarai Pongal | Chakkara Pongal
- Ada Pradhaman Payasam | Palada Pradhaman Recipe
More Traditional sweets
These traditional sweets include those desserts or treats that are authentic but are not included in the categories like halwa, burfi, ladoo, or payasam. They are Indian desserts with milk like gulab jamun, rasgulla, rasmalai, basundi, rabri, shahi tukda or other sweets like nankhatai, jalebi, kulfi, kala jamun, soan papdi, kalakand, chikki, etc.
Soan Papdi Recipe
Soan papdi is a traditional Indian sweet with a light, airy, and a flaky melt-in-the-mouth texture that is a perfect addition for any festival from Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, and to special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries.
Check out this recipe.
Popular Gulab jamun with Milk Powder
Gulab Jamunis a very popular, soft and melt-in-mouth milk-based Indian sweet recipe that consists of deep-fried dumplings or doughnuts that are prepared using khoya or milk powder and soaked in saffron cardamom flavored sugar syrup. One of the best desserts or mithai served during Indian festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Holi, Ramzan and Christmas or during any special occasions and parties. Each jamun is under 130 calories, and can be prepared in about 40 minutes.
Check out this recipe.
Indian Pastry Balushahi
This balushahi recipe gives you the perfect halwai-style badusha sweet that is crispy on the outside with melt in the mouth and a soft and flaky interior—one of the best Indian pastry-style dessert recipes for any special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Karwa Chauth, Christmas, or even Thanksgiving.
Check out this recipe.
Instant Paneer Jalebi
Paneer Jalebi or Chhena Jalebiis easy to make and popular Indian sweet or mithai that is crispy on the outside, juicy with a melt in mouth texture inside. This is one of the best sweet or dessert recipes that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
If you are looking for a quick and easy sweet or dessert to make this Diwali or during any other festivals like Christmas, Eid, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, or for special occasions, you should definitely try this out.
Check out this recipe.
Easy Dry Fruit Chikki
Dry Fruit Chikki is a crunchy, delicious, and nutritious Indian brittle prepared using mixed nuts, flavored with saffron and/or cardamom powder. The mixed nuts brittle can be served as a mid-day snack or after-meal dessert.
Check out this recipe.
Special Prasad recipe - Panchakajjaya for all Indian festivals.
Panchakajjaya or Panchkadayi is a very popular prasad or naivedyam recipe from Mangalore, Udupi region of Karnataka, prepared during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Varamahalakshmi, Janmashtami, Navratri, Diwali, etc.
Check out this recipe.
Rasmalai
Rasmalaiis a super delicious, flavorful, and melt-in-mouth dessert where soft and spongy cheese balls are soaked in saffron-flavored sweetened milk.
This is one of the popular Indian sweet recipes from Bengal, along withGULAB JAMUN,BARFI,LADOO,KHEER, etc.
Check out this recipe.
Basundi
Basundi is a traditional Indian dessert that is rich, sweet, and creamy, made with thickened milk. This milk-based dessert is served during special occasions, festivals, and celebrations.
Check out this recipe.
Ukadiche Modak
Ukadiche Modak is a popular steamed sweet dumpling from India prepared on the occasion of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival using rice flour, coconut, and jaggery as main ingredients.
Check out this recipe.
Kalakand
Kalakand is a soft and creamy, popular Indian sweet made with milk and flavored with saffron or cardamom. Kalakand sweet is prepared during Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Raksha Bandhan.
Check out this recipe.
Mangalorean Bakery Style Nankhatai
Nankhataiis a melt-in-mouth, delicious, eggless Indian biscuit or shortbread cookie prepared using just five ingredients.
Check out this recipe.
- Gujarati Mohanthal | Danedar Mohanthal | Special Diwali Sweet
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- Doodh Peda Recipe | Instant Milk Peda Burfi - 6 Flavors
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Healthy Indian sweets
If you are looking for low calories healthy Indian sweets, then try sugar-free dry fruit ladoo, dates kheer, oats pudding, ragi, or finger millet pudding, moong dal halwa, apple halwa, or South Indian coconut burfi with jaggery.
Dry Fruit Laddu (Sugar Free)
These energy balls, also called dry fruit laddu, are easy-to-make healthy no-bake sugar-free energy bites prepared using dried fruits and nuts of your choice. You will need less than 15 minutes to make these energy bites. These energy balls or laddu can be served for breakfast, as a mid-day snack, or after-meal dessert.
Check out this recipe.
Burfi with Jaggery
Coconut Barfi is a melt-in-mouth, flavorful, and addictive Indian sweet recipe prepared using just 2 ingredients - fresh coconut and sticky jaggery in less than 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe.
Dates Kheer
Dates Kheer or Khajoor Payasam or Kharjura Payasa is a classic and rich, sugar-free, creamy, and delicious dessert recipe prepared using dates as the main ingredient along with nuts and milk of your choice.
Check out this recipe.
Ragi Manni (Finger Millet Custard)
Ragi Manni or Finger Millet Custard is a healthy and delicious, melt-in-mouth traditional sweet recipe prepared using just four ingredients.
Check out this recipe.
No cook Banana Rasayana
Banana Rasayana or Balehannina Rasayana or Seekarne is a traditional and popular recipe from Coastal Karnataka (Mangalore, Udupi, Kundapur), which can be prepared in less than 5 minutes using just 3 ingredients.
The recipe is called Balehannu Rasayana in Kannada. We call it Kele Hashale (hesale, hershale) in Konkani.
Check out this recipe.
Fusion Indian Desserts
Fusion desserts are some of the best creations where Indian sweets are combined with international cuisines. Some of the popular ones now at the bakeries include gulab jamun cheesecake, mango saffron panna cotta, tiramisu with masala chai, coconut ladoo truffles, a donut with jalebi, mithai cheesecake, paan ice cream, motichoor ladoo parfait, rasmalai tiramisu, carrot burfi ice cream, cheesecake jars with burfi.
Ladoo Truffles
Motichoor LadooTruffle is an easy and delicious treat you can prepare during Diwali or any special occasion. Here, soft, melt-in-mouth motichoor laddus are coated with white chocolate and then garnished with nuts, rose petals, and vark to make it look festive.
Check out this recipe.
Burfi Ice Cream
Carrot Burfi Ice Creamis soft and melt-in-mouth ice cream with a new refreshing flavor that you should not miss trying this summer or festive season!!!
And if you are an ice cream lover like us try it any time of the year when you crave ice creams 🙂
Check out this recipe.
Mithai Cheesecake Jars
Burfi Cheesecake Jarsare no-bake, delectable, and classic dessert or sweet with layers of cheesecake, mango barfi chunks, and a buttery crust using your favorite biscuits. Every single bite is packed with 3 layers which will literally melt in your mouth. This is likeheaven in a jar!!!
Check out this recipe.
Cheesecake with Ladoo Truffles (No bake)
No-Bake Cheesecake with Motichoor Ladoo Truffles is a festive, smooth, creamy, light, and refreshing fusion dessert recipe that will be a total crowd-pleaser this Diwali.
Check out this recipe.
Cashew Macarons
Cashew Macaron Cookies, popularly known as Mangalorean cashew macaroons are rich, classic, irresistibly delicious treats that are light and crispy on the outside, airy on the inside, and loaded with cashew nuts.
Check out this recipe.
FAQs
Are Indian sweets vegetarian?
Yes. The majority of Indian sweets are vegetarian. Indian desserts are mainly prepared using milk, nuts, desi ghee (clarified butter), and flavoring like cardamom or saffron.
When are Indian sweets typically consumed?
Indian desserts are enjoyed year-round, but they have importance during special occasions, festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Raksha Bandhan, and as naivedyam or prasad during religious pooja and vrat like Navratri, Ram Navmi.
Are Indian sweets gluten-free?
Some Indian desserts, like ladoo and burfi, made using chickpea flour or kheer, made using rice and sabudana, are naturally gluten-free. However, there are sweets made using flour, and thus check the ingredients before consuming if you have celiac disease or glucose intolerance.
How long do Indian sweets stay fresh?
The shelf life of Indian sweets and desserts will vary based on the ingredients added. Desserts like kheer or milk-based sweets taste the best when consumed within a few days, while nankhatai, carrot pudding or halwa, dry fruit laddu, and kaju barfi last longer when stored in airtight conatiner.
Are there any regional variations of Indian sweets or desserts?
Indian is a diverse country with different states and regions, each having its own variations. For example, South India is famous for payasam, Tirupati ladoo, sweet pongal, Mysore pak etc.; Chhena poda from Odisha, Bengal is famous for Sandesh, rasgulla, or Modak in Maharastra and milk-based sweets in North India.
Which Indian sweets are good for health?
Some Indian sweets that are good for health include dry fruit ladoo, coconut ladoo or burfi with jaggery, date rolls or kheer, and ragi manni (finger millet custard), banana rasayana.
What are traditional Indian sweets?
Traditional Indian sweets prepared during festivals include burfi or burfi, laddu, payasam or kheer, sandesh, ragulla, rasamalai, mysore pak, halwa, and jalebi.
This list includes the best, easy, and most authentic Indian sweets and desserts that you can make at home. I have more recipes under the desserts and sweets categories like ragi nankhatai, peach mango halwa, khoya burfi, poppy seeds kheer, sweet rice appe (paniyaram or paddu), malpua, etc. Let us know your favorite from our sweet list.
More Indian festival recipes
- Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes | Vinayaka Chaturthi Recipes
- 15 Best Diwali Recipes | Easy Diwali Sweets and Snacks
- Navratri Recipes | Navratri fasting Recipes for 9 Days
- Vrat Recipes | Indian Fasting Food | Upvas Recipes
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Recipe card
Easy Indian Desserts | Best Indian Sweets
Kushi
This post is all about the list of the best Indian desserts and sweets recipes that you can easily make at home for any festival, special occasion, or dinner party. All popular Indian sweets and desserts from gulab jamun, laddu, barfi, halwa, kheer or payasam, and more are included.
5 from 250 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 13 minutes mins
Total Time 18 minutes mins
Course Desserts, sweets
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 276 kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Indian Carrot Dessert (Popular Gajar Halwa or Carrot Pudding)
- 3 cups Carrot peeled and grated
- 4 tablespoon Ghee
- 4 tablespoon Whole milk
- 6 tablespoon Condensed milk
- ¼ Cardamom powder
- Nuts roasted for garnish
Instructions
Heat ghee in a pan. Add grated carrots and saute for 5 to 8 minutes or until the carrots are soft and tender and the moisture evaporates.
3 cups Carrot, 4 tablespoon Ghee
Add milk and saute until milk dries out.
4 tablespoon Whole milk
Add condensed milk and cardamom powder and cook on medium-low flame until halwa reaches thick desired consistency. Keep stirring to avoid burning from the bottom.
6 tablespoon Condensed milk, ¼ Cardamom powder
Garnish with nuts. Serve and enjoy.
Nuts
Notes
- This Indian carrot dessert or halwa can be made on your Instant Pot. Read the full instructions.
- The shelf life of Indian sweets and desserts will vary based on the ingredients added. Desserts like kheer or milk-based sweets taste the best when consumed within a few days, while nankhatai, carrot pudding or halwa, dry fruit laddu, and kaju barfi last longer when stored in airtight conatiner.
Nutrition
Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 110mgPotassium: 442mgFiber: 3gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 16142IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 0.4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Note: We originally posted this recipe in Aug 2018. It has now been modified in July 2023 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
