10 Unconventional Desserts For Desi Weddings And Ways To Serve Them

So, you want a quirky desi wedding. It shouldn’t be that difficult considering there are a host of interesting, gourmet and fusion options you can include in your wedding menu. Remember your big day is about you so try to include desserts that you enjoy or work with your planner and chef to curate flavours which work together.

Unconventional desserts can always be a highlight at weddings especially if they push the envelope with desi, homegrown flavours. While traditional desserts like gulab jamun, mishti doi, hot jalebi, and rasgulla have long held a cherished place in wedding celebrations, Indian foodies also enjoy sampling fusion treats which present their familiar flavours in a new way. 

While fusion dessert stands are a good idea, passing quirky desserts as canapes or hors-d'œuvre is also a cool way of doing things. Make sure you iron out some details with the planning team, especially about serving. 

For instance, if you’re opting for a fusion tiramisu made with rabdi you need to be careful about the serving temperature. Coordinate the timing of the tiramisu service. Depending on the format (individual servings or cake slices), ensure that they are served at the right temperature, and before the rabdi gets soggy. Here are some other ideas about fusion wedding desserts and ways to serve them: 

Pistachio Rosewater Mousse

Rosewater is generally considered auspicious for celebrations and ceremonies. A pistachio base can make for light and airy pistachio mousse infused with the delicate essence of rosewater. It can be garnished with crushed pistachios for texture and a hint of edible rose petals which can also break the monotony of the neutral colour palette. Mouse is almost always served as single-serve desserts; each serving can be topped off with a fresh drizzle of rose water 

Kesar Pista Ice Cream Rolls

Ice cream rolls are the next big trend; you can try setting up fried ice or Turkish ice cream stands at your wedding. Think of adding desi flavours like chai masala, mango etc. Give the classic kesar pista combination a modern twist by serving it as ice cream rolls. Ice cream rolls are also ideal for live ice cream stands since they involve the element of spectacle that guests are bound to enjoy. 

Thandai Popsicles 

Popcisles for weddings can be an ingenious idea; they’re ideal for winter weddings as they melt slowly. Despite, being a contemporary design the fusion treat retains the traditional blend of milk, nuts, and spices which also elevates frozen desserts. Opt for a popsicle stand or even better, a frozen dessert stand which can include everything from frozen yoghurt to sorbets, gelatos and popsicles 

Rose Petal Jam Donuts

Add a touch of romance to your wedding dessert with doughnuts filled with fragrant rose petal jam. Donuts are usually dry and fuss-free. The floral and lightly musky notes in a rose jam can go well with the fruity flavour of jam. Try adding a creamy glaze that can be smattered with crushed edible flowers or even crushed nuts for additional texture. If you consider serving sweet hors-d'œuvre, you can consider mini doughnuts on a stick or half doughnut sandwiches with cream filling in between 

Kulfi Pops with Gulkand Drizzle

Transform the traditional kulfi into playful popsicles, drizzled with gulkand which is a rose petal preserve. The combination of creamy kulfi and the floral sweetness of gulkand adds an element to your dessert offerings. This dessert can be a stand-in for traditional paan. In fact, if you don’t want a paan stand consider adding more paan-flavoured desserts to your wedding menu. 

Gulab Jamun Cheesecake

Choose light, fluffy hors-d'œuvre that marries the traditional with the contemporary by incorporating gulab jamun into a luscious cheesecake. The softness of the jamun complements the creamy texture of the cheesecake. This can also be your main wedding cake and you can pass around slices of the cheesecake during the festivities. 

Jaggery and Coconut Panna Cotta

Replace conventional sweeteners with the rich, caramel-like taste of jaggery in a coconut-infused panna cotta. This elegant and creamy dessert provides a subtle sweetness and this dessert is a great pick if you want some sugar-conscious desserts on your wedding menu. Panna cottas are easy to veganise so in case you have a plant-based dessert stand, this option is a must-have! 

Chocolate Samosas

Turn the beloved samosa into a sweet delight by filling it with a rich chocolate ganache. Serve these bite-sized treats with a drizzle of honey or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an amazing contrast. The reason chocolate goes with a fried texture is that it balances out the greasiness and the savoury base underlines the sweetness of the chocolate. You can also go for mini dry frit samosas and top them with chocolate sauce 

Mango Chili Sorbet

Explore the juxtaposition of sweet and spicy by presenting a mango chilli sorbet. The vibrant sweetness of mango combined with a hint of chilli creates a refreshing and unexpected palate cleanser. You can also keep an array of toppings and add-ons to go along with at the dessert table 

Fusion Rabri Tiramisu

This interesting dessert infuses Italian flair into the soft, creamy rabri by layering rabri with coffee-soaked ladyfingers. The result is a fusion tiramisu that harmonizes the creamy richness of rabri with the boldness of coffee. You can make sure that the rabri isn’t too sweet because it can marr the intensity of the coffee. There are many ways you can serve this dessert; be it as single-serve tiramisu cups or in mini jars, which guests can carry around