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Indian cuisine is renowned for its rich and diverse range of flavours, and Indian desserts are no exception. These sweet treats are a delightful way to end any meal or celebrate special occasions. If you're in the USA and craving a taste of India, you're in luck! There are several Indian desserts that are relatively easy to make in your humble American kitchen. With ingredients that are easily available in American supermarkets, here are seven Indian desserts that you can cook, eat and enjoy.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is one of the most beloved Indian desserts. These soft and spongy sweets are a hit at festivals and celebrations. To make Gulab Jamun in the USA, you can easily find ready-made Gulab Jamun mix at many grocery stores. Follow the instructions on the packet, which usually involve mixing the dry mix with water to form a dough, shaping it into small balls, frying them in ghee or cooking oil until golden brown, and then soaking them in a fragrant sugar syrup infused with cardamom and rose water. Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Kheer
Recipe - Rajshri Food
Kheer is a creamy rice pudding that's flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. It is a must in India during festivals and celebrations. To prepare this comforting dessert, cook rice in milk until it thickens, add sugar or any other sweetener of your choice, and cardamon. You can also customise it with ingredients like saffron, rose water, or dried fruits. Kheer can be served warm or chilled, making it perfect for any season.
Besan Ladoo
Besan Ladoo is a sweet treat made from roasted chickpea flour (besan), ghee, sugar, and a hint of cardamom. In the USA, you can easily find chickpea flour in most grocery stores. Roast the besan in ghee until it turns aromatic and changes colour, then add powdered sugar and shape the mixture into small round ladoos. Top them with chopped nuts for a delightful crunch. Besan Ladoo is a quick and easy dessert that's both nutty and sweet. You can also store it for a while.
Coconut Ladoo
Coconut Ladoos are another simple and delicious Indian dessert. They are made from shredded coconut, condensed milk, cardamom powder, and sometimes saffron for added flavour and colour. Combine these ingredients, roll the mixture into small balls, and your coconut Ladoos are ready. These sweet treats are perfect for coconut lovers and are often made during festivals and special occasions
Jalebi
Recipe - Yummyyy y
Jalebi is a popular Indian sweet known for its coiled, pretzel-like shape and vibrant orange colour and of course, Tesher's song jalebi baby. Making Jalebi in the USA is quite manageable. Prepare a batter using all-purpose flour, yoghurt, and a pinch of turmeric. Let the batter ferment for a few hours, then transfer it to a squeeze bottle or a plastic bag with a small hole in one corner. Squeeze the batter into spiral shapes and deep-fry until they turn crispy and golden. Once fried, soak the jalebis in a sugar syrup flavoured with saffron. Your sweet, crunchy jalebis are ready!
Barfi
Barfi is a traditional Indian sweet that comes in various flavours and forms. One of the easiest ways to make it is by using condensed milk and flavorings like cardamom or rose water. According to what is readily available in the USA, simply cook condensed milk with a bit of ghee until it thickens and forms a fudge-like consistency. Spread it in a greased dish, allow it to cool, and then cut it into squares or diamonds. You can also decorate it with chopped nuts for added texture and nutrition.
Aam Ras
Aam Ras is a refreshing dessert that's perfect for the mango season. All you need is ripe mangoes. Peel and remove the pulp from the mangoes, then blend it into a smooth puree. If the mangoes aren't sweet enough, you can add a bit of sugar. Serve the chilled mango puree as a dessert on its own or pair it with puris (fried bread) for a traditional treat known as "Aam Ras Puri." It's a delightful way to enjoy the natural sweetness of ripe mangoes.
