What Are the 20 Must-Try Indian Dessert Recipes?

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Key Highlights

• Explore a definitive guide to 20 of the most loved Indian sweets, perfect for any celebration.
• Discover easy Indian sweet recipes you can make at home, from popular Indian dessert options to modern twists.
• Learn about the basic ingredients used in mithai, such as milk, flour, sugar, and ghee.
• Find sweet dishes suitable for special occasions like Diwali and Holi, or simply to satisfy a craving.
• This collection includes everything from creamy puddings to fudgy barfis and syrupy delights.

Struggling to decide which dessert truly belongs at an Indian celebration? Indian sweets, or mithai, are at the heart of Indian culture and play a central role in festivals, family get-togethers, and special occasions.

While you can find them in shops, making them at home is a rewarding experience that allows you to control the ingredients and quality.

This collection of Indian sweet recipes provides authentic flavours and even some modern takes on traditional favourites, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What Are the 20 Must-Try Indian Dessert Recipes for Every Celebration?

Are you wondering what the most popular traditional Indian desserts I can make at home are? You’ve come to the right place! This list features some of the most popular Indian sweets that have gained fame worldwide. These recipes are perfect for festivals and celebrations, adding a special touch to any event.

The best part is that many of these Indian sweet recipes are surprisingly simple, using common pantry staples. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, you’ll find joy in creating these delicious treats for your special occasions.

Let’s look at 20 must-try recipes.

1. Gulab Jamun: The Famous Dessert in India Everyone Loves

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Gulab Jamun is one of India’s most cherished desserts, known for its soft texture and rich sweetness. These golden, scrumptious desserts, soaked in fragrant syrup, are a staple at celebrations and an ideal starting point for anyone exploring classic Indian sweets at home.

Ingredients

• Milk solids (khoya) or milk powder
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Sugar
• Water
• Cardamom
• Rose water
• Oil or ghee
• Chopped nuts or dried rose petals

Recipe

Knead milk solids with flour and baking soda to form a soft dough. Shape into small balls and fry gently until golden. Simmer sugar, water, cardamom, and rose water into a syrup. Soak warm gulab jamuns in syrup until soft and infused.

Soft, syrup-soaked, and aromatic, Gulab Jamun remains a timeless dessert loved across generations and celebrations.

2. Jalebi: Crispy, Syrupy Classic for Festive Moments

Jalebi is an iconic Indian sweet loved for its crisp spirals and glossy syrup coating. Often associated with festivals and celebrations, this dessert delivers a satisfying contrast of crunch and soak. With modern methods, it’s surprisingly quick to make at home.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cornflour
• Baking soda
• Sugar
• Water
• Cardamom
• Saffron
• Lemon juice
• Oil or ghee

Recipe

Mix flour, cornflour, and baking soda with water to form a smooth batter. Pipe spirals into hot oil and fry until crisp. Prepare sugar syrup with cardamom, saffron, and lemon juice. Dip hot jalebi into warm syrup until coated.

Crisp, sticky, and aromatic, jalebi is a festive favourite that never fails to delight.

3. Rasgulla: Spongy Homemade Indian Dessert from the East

Rasgulla is a light, milk-based dessert known for its soft, spongy texture and delicate sweetness. Originating in Eastern India, it’s a refreshing alternative to richer sweets and highlights the purity of milk and syrup in every bite.

Ingredients

• Full-fat milk
• Lemon juice or vinegar
• Sugar
• Water

Recipe

Boil milk and curdle with lemon juice to make chenna. Knead until smooth and form small balls. Cook in boiling sugar syrup until puffed and spongy. Let it cool and chill before serving.

Served cold, rasgullas offer a clean, subtle sweetness that feels light and satisfying.

Looking to elevate your dessert spread? This rich Chocolate Coffee Cake pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Get the complete recipe here.

4. Kheer: Creamy Pudding Made Easy

Kheer is a timeless Indian dessert that brings comfort and tradition to any occasion. Slow-cooked and creamy, it transforms simple pantry ingredients into a rich pudding that’s fragrant, soothing, and endlessly adaptable to personal taste.

Ingredients

• Rice or vermicelli
• Full-fat milk
• Sugar
• Cardamom
• Saffron
• Nuts and raisins

Recipe

Simmer rice or vermicelli and milk gently until thick and creamy. Add sugar, cardamom, and saffron, stirring occasionally. Finish with nuts and raisins, cooking until flavours are well blended.

Whether warm or chilled, kheer is a classic dessert that always feels like home.

5. Besan Ladoo: Quick Indian Easy Dessert for Any Occasion

Besan Ladoo is one of the most loved easy indian desserts, especially for beginners. These rich, golden treats are classic mouth dessert balls that appear at festivals and celebrations across indian homes, made with simple ingredients yet delivering deep, nutty flavour and irresistible aroma.

Ingredients

• Gram flour (besan)
• Ghee
• Sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts (optional)

Recipe

Slowly roast besan in ghee until fragrant and golden. Remove from heat, mix in sugar and cardamom, and let cool slightly. Shape into round besan ladoo and garnish with nuts if desired.

6. Gajar Ka Halwa: Carrot Delight for Celebrations

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Gajar ka halwa, also known as carrot halwa, is a comforting winter dessert deeply rooted in Indian tradition. This slow-cooked sweet has a rich, pudding-like texture that makes it a beloved indian pudding, perfect for festive meals and family gatherings.

Ingredients

• Grated carrots
• Milk
• Sugar
• Ghee
• Cardamom
• Nuts

Recipe

Cook carrots in milk until soft and reduced. Add sugar and ghee, stirring until thick and glossy. Finish with cardamom and nuts, cooking until the mixture reaches a soft, halwa-like consistency.

Craving a sweet yet satisfying treat? Try baking these soft and chewy Peanut Butter Cookies; they’re quick to make and perfect for snack time or brunch.

7. Sandesh: Unique Indian Dessert from Bengal

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Sandesh is a refined Bengali sweet known for its light texture and subtle sweetness. Made primarily from fresh chenna, it highlights technique over heaviness, offering a delicate dessert that feels elegant, fresh, and ideal for those who prefer mild flavours over rich syrups.

Ingredients

• Fresh paneer (chenna)
• Powdered sugar
• Cardamom or saffron
• Pistachios (for garnish)

Recipe

Knead chenna with powdered sugar until smooth. Flavour with cardamom or saffron, then shape into small patties. Garnish lightly and chill before serving for the best texture and flavour.

8. Kulfi: Traditional Indian Ice Cream Experience

Kulfi is a rich, make-ahead dessert that fits perfectly into quick indian desserts for entertaining. Denser than regular ice cream, it’s made by reducing milk for deep flavour, then freezing into creamy, sliceable treats that feel indulgent yet nostalgic.

Ingredients

• Full-fat milk
• Sugar
• Cardamom
• Saffron
• Nuts (pistachios or almonds)
• Mango pulp (optional, for mango kulfi)

Recipe

Simmer milk until reduced and thick. Add sugar and flavourings, then mix in nuts or mango pulp. Pour into moulds and freeze until firm. Unmould and serve chilled.

9. Shrikhand: Sweetened Yoghurt with Saffron and Cardamom

Shrikhand is one of the best easy indian desserts to make at home, requiring no cooking and minimal effort. Thick, creamy, and delicately spiced, it’s an elegant dessert that comes together quickly while still feeling festive and special.

Ingredients

• Thick strained yoghurt
• Sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Saffron
• Pistachios

Recipe

Whisk the strained yoghurt until smooth. Add sugar, cardamom, and saffron, mixing well. Chill thoroughly and garnish with pistachios before serving.

10. Sooji Halwa: Simple, Quick, and Comforting

Sooji Halwa is a timeless comfort sweet and a staple among quick indian dessert recipes. Made with pantry basics, it’s ready in minutes and delivers warm, rich flavours that feel celebratory without requiring elaborate preparation.

Ingredients

• Semolina (sooji)
• Ghee
• Sugar
• Water or milk
• Cardamom
• Raisins and nuts

Recipe

Roast semolina in ghee until aromatic. Add hot liquid and sugar, stirring continuously until fluffy and smooth. Finish with cardamom, raisins, and nuts.

11. Instant Milk Cake: No-Fuss Festive Sweet

Instant Milk Cake is ideal for anyone exploring quick and easy indian dessert recipes. With a soft, grainy texture and caramelised milk flavour, it delivers traditional taste using a simplified method that’s approachable even for beginners.

Ingredients

• Milk powder
• Milk
• Sugar
• Ghee
• Cardamom

Recipe

Cook milk, milk powder, sugar, and ghee together until thick and slightly grainy. Spread into a greased dish, cool, and cut into squares once set.

12. Coconut Ladoo: Fast, No-Bake Treat

Coconut Ladoo rounds out a list of quick indian dessert recipes with its simplicity and speed. Sweet, aromatic, and ready in minutes, it’s perfect when you need something festive without turning on the oven or spending hours cooking.

Ingredients

• Desiccated coconut
• Condensed milk
• Cardamom
• Nuts (optional)

Recipe

Mix coconut with condensed milk and cardamom. Shape into small balls and roll in extra coconut. Chill briefly before serving.

13. Barfi: Versatile Treat with Countless Variations

Barfi is a classic Indian sweet loved for its rich taste, neat shape, and endless variety. With a fudge-like texture and excellent shelf life, it’s a go-to dessert for festivals, gifting, and celebrations, easily customised to suit different flavours and preferences.

Ingredients

• Milk, milk powder, or khoya
• Sugar
• Ghee
• Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
• Cardamom or flavourings

Recipe

Cook the base ingredient with sugar and ghee over low heat until thick and smooth. Spread evenly in a greased tray, garnish with nuts, and let it set. Cut into squares or diamonds once firm.

14. Malpua: Sweet Pancakes for Festivals

Malpua is one of those authentic indian sweets that instantly signals celebration. These rich, ghee-fried pancakes are soft inside, crisp at the edges, and soaked in aromatic syrup, making them a festive favourite for family gatherings and traditional occasions.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat flour
• Milk
• Sugar
• Fennel seeds
• Cardamom
• Ghee

Recipe

Whisk flour, milk, and fennel seeds into a smooth batter. Fry ladlefuls in ghee until golden. Prepare sugar syrup with cardamom and soak the hot malpuas briefly before serving warm with nuts or rabri.

15. Kaju Katli: Cashew Fudge for Special Occasions

Kaju Katli is a refined, elegant sweet that represents luxury in Indian celebrations. Its smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture and subtle sweetness make it a prized gift and a standout dessert during festivals and weddings.

Ingredients

• Cashews
• Sugar
• Water
• Ghee
• Almond flour (optional substitute for texture)

Recipe

Grind cashews into a fine powder. Cook sugar and water to a syrup, add cashew powder, and stir until it forms a soft dough. Roll thin, cool slightly, and cut into diamond shapes.

16. Phirni: Creamy Ground Rice Pudding Served Chilled

Phirni is a silky, chilled take on indian rice pudding, known for its smooth consistency and gentle sweetness. Unlike kheer, it uses finely ground rice for a refined texture, making it perfect for warm-weather meals and elegant finishes.

Ingredients

• Milk or coconut milk
• Rice flour
• Sugar
• Cardamom
• Saffron
• Pistachios

Recipe

Simmer milk with rice flour, stirring constantly until thick. Add sugar, cardamom, and saffron. Pour into bowls, cool, and chill before garnishing with nuts and rose petals.

17. Nankhatai: Classic Indian Shortbread Cookies

Nankhatai is a timeless Indian cookie known for its crumbly texture and rich, comforting flavour. Often baked at home during festivals and family occasions, this simple shortbread-style biscuit delivers nostalgia in every bite while requiring only a handful of pantry staples.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Gram flour (besan)
• Ghee
• Powdered sugar
• Cardamom powder
• A pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Recipe

Mix ghee and powdered sugar until light, then fold in the flours and spices to form a soft dough. Shape into small rounds, garnish with nuts if desired, and bake until lightly golden. Cool completely to allow the cookies to set and develop their signature melt-in-the-mouth texture.

18. Shahi Tukda: Royal Bread Pudding with a Mughlai Touch

Shahi Tukda is a regal dessert that transforms humble bread into something luxurious. Deeply rooted in Mughlai cuisine, it features crisp fried bread soaked in fragrant sugar syrup and topped with thickened milk, making it a rich, indulgent finale for celebratory meals.

Ingredients

• Bread slices
• Milk
• Sugar
• Ghee
• Cardamom
• Saffron
• Nuts

Recipe

Fry bread slices in ghee until golden. Simmer milk with sugar, cardamom, and saffron until thickened. Dip bread in syrup, arrange on a plate, and pour warm rabri over the top. Garnish with nuts before serving.

19. Modak: Steamed Sweet Dumplings with Coconut Filling

Modak is a traditional festive sweet best known for its delicate shape and aromatic filling. Light yet flavourful, these steamed dumplings highlight natural sweetness and texture, making them a refreshing contrast to richer Indian desserts often served during celebrations.

Ingredients

• Rice flour
• Grated coconut
• Jaggery
• Cardamom
• Water

Recipe

Cook coconut with jaggery and cardamom until sticky. Prepare a soft rice flour dough with hot water. Shape dough into cups, fill with coconut mixture, seal, and steam until glossy and tender.

20. Payasam: South Indian Festival Pudding

Payasam is a soothing, celebratory dessert enjoyed across South India in many forms. Whether made with rice, lentils, or vermicelli, it offers gentle sweetness and aromatic warmth, often served at the end of festive meals or special family occasions.

Ingredients

• Milk
• Rice or vermicelli
• Sugar
• Ghee
• Cashews and raisins
• Cardamom

Recipe

Roast nuts and raisins in ghee and set aside. Cook rice or vermicelli in milk until soft and creamy. Add sugar and cardamom, simmer briefly, then finish with roasted nuts before serving warm or chilled.

Conclusion

Indian desserts are not just sweet treats; they embody the spirit of celebration and culture. Whether it’s the rich, syrupy Gulab Jamun or the creamy indulgence of Kheer, each recipe has a unique story that adds to the festive atmosphere. These 20 must-try desserts are perfect for every celebration, bringing people together and creating lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make Indian sweets without frying?

Use steaming, roasting, or setting methods instead of frying. Make sweets like coconut ladoo, ragi halwa, or milk-based barfi by cooking gently, shaping, and chilling. These techniques reduce oil while keeping traditional flavour and texture intact, and overall appeal.

Are there simple Indian dessert recipes that don’t require condensed milk?

Yes, many Indian desserts rely on milk, flour, or lentils instead. Try kheer with regular milk, atta sheera, coconut burfi, or rice payasam. These recipes avoid condensed milk yet remain rich, satisfying, and easy for home cooking preparation.

What are the most popular traditional Indian desserts I can make at home?

Some popular traditional Indian desserts include gulab jamun, kheer, halwa, rasgulla, and ladoo. Many can be prepared at home using basic ingredients, simple techniques, and patience, making them accessible for beginners and festive family occasions during celebrations nationwide.

What are the best Indian desserts for Diwali?

Diwali desserts often include ladoo, barfi, kheer, and peda. Choose recipes that store well and suit gifting. Homemade sweets with nuts, ghee, and milk feel festive, meaningful, and customizable for sharing with friends and extended family during festivals.

What are the most popular desserts in India?

India’s most popular desserts include gulab jamun, jalebi, rasgulla, kheer, and ladoo. These sweets vary by region but share rich flavours, traditional techniques, and cultural importance, appearing at celebrations, religious events, weddings, and everyday indulgent moments nationwide historically.

What is an amazing Indian dessert that is easy to make?

An easy yet amazing Indian dessert is suji halwa. It cooks quickly using semolina, ghee, sugar, and water. With proper roasting and stirring, it delivers comforting flavour, soft texture, and consistent results even for beginners in home kitchens.

What is a good dessert for Indian food?

A good dessert for Indian food is something light yet flavorful, like kheer, fruit shrikhand, or coconut ladoo. These balance spicy meals without feeling heavy, offering sweetness, creaminess, and gentle aromas that complement savoury dishes beautifully afterwards naturally.

Can you recommend quick Indian desserts using common pantry ingredients?

Yes, you can make quick Indian desserts using pantry staples like flour, sugar, milk, and nuts. Try atta ladoo, microwave halwa, or no-cook coconut sweets for fast preparation, minimal effort, and reliable results anytime at home kitchens easily.