10 Indian Festive Desserts

My favorite time of the year is here and it’s the time for indulgence on Indian Festive Desserts. So, get into your beautiful outfits, forget all the worries, catch up with friends, hug a little tighter and just be joyful! We can work on all those extra calories later. For now, just let loose and enjoy. So, here are 10 Indian Festive Desserts that you need to try this season! As I mentioned in my last post, I don’t get a lot of pujo vibe out here but I use the food memories to make it exciting every day.

Here are 10 Indian Festive Desserts that you will love to try:

Date Palm Jaggery Rice Pudding (Khejur Gurer Payesh)

 I have to start with payesh (rice pudding). We first offer it to Maa Durga and then, we all dive in to this creamy luscious pudding. I know almost every other country has their version of rice pudding and this is the Bengali version is prepared with date palm jaggery.

Note: If you can’t find date palm jaggery, you can use any other variety of jaggery too. Date molasses is quite easily available these days and it should work too.

Nolen Gur Rasgulla (Cheese Balls cooked in Jaggery Syrup)

Bengalis are synonymous to Rasgullas, or Roshogolla as we like to call it! Often prepared on simple but special occasions, I get to add our favorite jaggery once again.

Although it’s a very simple treat, it requires some practice and once you nail that, making rasgulla at home will no longer intimidate you.

Rasgulla (Cheese Balls in Saffron Sugar Syrup)

If you are not fond of jaggery, try this other version with saffron. The technique is the same, it’s only the syrup that changes.

Mishti Doi/Sweetened Yogurt

We all love yogurt, irrespective of the season, and Bengali Misti Doi is unlike any flavored yogurt you might have tried.

Chhena Malpua

Another quintessential Bengali dessert where curdled mild is used to make mini pancakes and then dunked in sugar syrup.

Gulab Jamuns With Sweet Potatoes

This is my Mom’s specialty. This fried cheese ball, dunked in sugar syrup is a favorite Indian treat and when sweet potato goes into the mixture, it turns out extra soft and melts in your mouth!

Jalebi

Rasmalai (Juicy Cheese Dumplings In Flavored Cream)

You must have noticed a lot of Indian desserts are prepared with curdle milk cheese. This is yet another favorite Indian dessert for any special occasions. I could eat an entire bowl if given a choice!

Santra Badam Barfi (Orange Almond Fudge)

With orange in season, this fudge is a must try. It’s really easy to prepare and it’s prepared with just almond flour.

Date Palm Jaggery Ice Cream

I am well aware that it’s not summer anymore but if you are craving for a special ice cream treat, let this be the one! You will love the rich flavor of the jaggery that goes in the ice cream!

Happy Festive Season you all and if you try any of these dishes, please do let me know what you think of it! You  can share a photo and tag me @playfulcooking