Indian Desserts: 28 Sweet Dishes from 28 States

India, with its rich cultural diversity and extensive culinary heritage, offers a delightful array of desserts. Each state boasts its unique sweet dish, often rooted in tradition and made with locally sourced ingredients. Let’s embark on a sweet journey across the 28 states of India, exploring one signature dessert from each.

1. Andhra Pradesh – Pootharekulu

Pootharekulu, often referred to as “paper sweet,” is a traditional dessert made with rice starch, ghee, and sugar or jaggery. These delicate and thin rice paper sheets, filled with a sweet mixture, melt in your mouth, offering a unique taste and texture.

2. Arunachal Pradesh – Khapse

Khapse are crispy, deep-fried biscuits traditionally prepared during Losar, the Tibetan New Year. Made from flour, sugar, and butter, these sweet treats come in various shapes and sizes, each symbolizing prosperity and happiness.

3. Assam – Pitha

Assamese Pitha is a versatile dessert made primarily from rice flour and jaggery. Variants like Til Pitha, filled with sesame seeds and jaggery, and Narikol Pitha, stuffed with coconut, are enjoyed during festivals like Bihu.

4. Bihar – Thekua

Thekua is a popular Bihari sweet made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. Deep-fried until golden brown, it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often enjoyed during the Chhath Puja festival.

5. Chhattisgarh – Dehrori

Dehrori is a traditional Chhattisgarhi dessert made from fermented rice and urad dal batter, deep-fried into dumplings and soaked in sugar syrup. Flavored with cardamom, it is a festive delicacy enjoyed during Diwali.

6. Goa – Bebinca

Bebinca, also known as bibik, is a Goan multi-layered pudding made from coconut milk, eggs, sugar, and ghee. Baked layer by layer, this rich and decadent dessert is a must-have during Christmas and special occasions.

7. Gujarat – Basundi

Basundi is a creamy dessert made by boiling milk until it thickens, sweetened with sugar, and flavored with cardamom. Garnished with chopped nuts, this sweet treat is often served chilled during festivals like Janmashtami.

8. Haryana – Meethe Chawal

Meethe Chawal, or sweet rice, is a traditional Haryanvi dessert made with basmati rice, sugar, saffron, and an assortment of nuts and raisins. Often prepared during harvest festivals, it is a fragrant and flavorful dish.

9. Himachal Pradesh – Mittha

Mittha, a traditional Himachali dessert, is a sweet rice preparation made with sugar, dry fruits, and cardamom. Often served during festivals and special occasions, it is a symbol of the region’s rich culinary heritage.

10. Jharkhand – Malpua

Malpua is a popular sweet in Jharkhand, made from a batter of flour, milk, and mashed bananas, deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup. It is a festive delight, especially during Holi and other celebrations.

11. Karnataka – Mysore Pak

Mysore Pak, a legendary Karnataka sweet, is made from gram flour, ghee, and sugar. Originating from the royal kitchens of Mysore, this rich and crumbly dessert is a favorite across India.

12. Kerala – Ada Pradhaman

Ada Pradhaman is a traditional Kerala dessert made from rice ada, jaggery, and coconut milk, flavored with cardamom and garnished with fried coconut pieces and nuts. This payasam is a quintessential part of Onam celebrations.

13. Madhya Pradesh – Mawa Bati

Mawa Bati is a delightful sweet from Madhya Pradesh, made from khoya (reduced milk), stuffed with dry fruits, and deep-fried. Soaked in sugar syrup, these soft and rich sweets are often enjoyed during festivals.

14. Maharashtra – Puran Poli

Puran Poli is a classic Maharashtrian sweet flatbread stuffed with a filling of chana dal (split Bengal gram), jaggery, and flavored with cardamom and nutmeg. It is a festive delicacy, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi and Holi.

15. Manipur – Chakhao Kheer

Chakhao Kheer is a unique Manipuri dessert made from black rice, milk, and sugar. This purple-hued rice pudding, flavored with cardamom, is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

16. Meghalaya – Pukhlein

Pukhlein is a traditional Meghalaya dessert made from rice flour and jaggery. This deep-fried sweet, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, is often enjoyed during local festivals and special occasions.

17. Mizoram – Koat Pitha

Koat Pitha is a Mizo sweet made from rice flour, jaggery, and ripe bananas, deep-fried to perfection. This simple yet delicious dessert is a favorite during festivals and family gatherings.

18. Nagaland – Nap Naang

Nap Naang, or black rice pudding, is a traditional Naga dessert made from black sticky rice, sugar, and coconut milk. Its unique color and flavor make it a special treat during festive occasions.

19. Odisha – Chhena Poda

Chhena Poda, meaning “burnt cheese,” is a famous Odia dessert made from chhena (cottage cheese), sugar, and semolina. Baked until caramelized, this cheesecake-like sweet has a distinct smoky flavor.

20. Punjab – Gur Ka Halwa

Gur Ka Halwa is a traditional Punjabi sweet made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. This warm and hearty dessert is often prepared during winters and festive occasions.

21. Rajasthan – Ghewar

Ghewar is a traditional Rajasthani sweet made from flour, ghee, and sugar syrup. This disc-shaped delicacy, often topped with mawa or rabri, is a highlight of the Teej and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

22. Sikkim – Sel Roti

Sel Roti is a popular Sikkimese sweet, a ring-shaped, deep-fried bread made from rice flour and sugar. This crispy and soft delicacy is a staple during festivals like Dashain and Tihar.

23. Tamil Nadu – Sakkarai Pongal

Sakkarai Pongal is a traditional Tamil dessert made from rice, moong dal, jaggery, and ghee, flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts and raisins. It is a key dish during the Pongal festival.

24. Telangana – Ariselu

Ariselu is a traditional Telangana sweet made from rice flour and jaggery, deep-fried until golden brown. Often enjoyed during festivals like Sankranti, it is a crispy and delicious treat.

25. Tripura – Awan Bangwi

Awan Bangwi is a unique Tripuri dessert made from glutinous rice, jaggery, and sesame seeds, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. This traditional sweet is a part of the Garia Puja celebrations.

26. Uttar Pradesh – Balushahi

Balushahi, also known as Badusha, is a popular sweet from Uttar Pradesh made from maida (refined flour), deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup. It is flaky on the outside and soft inside, often enjoyed during festivals.

27. Uttarakhand – Bal Mithai

Bal Mithai is a traditional sweet from Uttarakhand, made from roasted khoya and coated with white sugar balls. This fudge-like sweet is a specialty of the Almora region and a must-try delicacy.

28. West Bengal – Rosogolla

Rosogolla, the iconic Bengali sweet, is made from chhena (cottage cheese) balls cooked in light sugar syrup. Soft, spongy, and syrupy, this dessert is a symbol of Bengal’s rich culinary tradition.

Conclusion

Each Indian state offers a unique and delightful dessert that reflects its cultural heritage and local ingredients. From the creamy Basundi of Gujarat to the syrupy Rosogolla of West Bengal, these 28 sweet dishes showcase the diverse and delicious landscape of Indian desserts. Indulge in these traditional treats to experience the sweet essence of India.

FAQs:

What is the most popular dessert in West Bengal?

The most popular dessert in West Bengal is “Rasgulla,” a spongy, syrupy sweet made from chenna (Indian cottage cheese).

Which dessert is a specialty of Rajasthan?

“Ghewar” is a specialty of Rajasthan. It is a disc-shaped sweet made from flour, soaked in sugar syrup, and often garnished with silver leaf.

What sweet dish represents Maharashtra?

“Puran Poli” represents Maharashtra. It is a sweet flatbread stuffed with a mixture of jaggery and split Bengal gram.

Can you name a famous dessert from Kerala?

“Payasam,” a type of kheer or sweet rice pudding, is a famous dessert from Kerala, often made with rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom, raisins, and cashews.

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