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Kerala is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse cuisine, and unique flavors. Kerala's desserts are a perfect blend of sweetness and spices, which makes them stand out from the rest.
Here are six mouth-watering desserts from Kerala that guarantee a finger-licking experience.
1. Ada Pradhaman
Ada Pradhaman is a traditional Kerala dessert made with rice flakes, jaggery, coconut milk, and spices. The rice flakes are cooked in coconut milk until they become soft, then jaggery is added to give it sweetness, and finally, the dish is garnished with fried coconut pieces, raisins, and cashews. The creamy texture and sweet taste of Ada Pradhaman will leave you craving more.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 240
2. Unniyappam
Unniyappam is a small, round-shaped sweet made with rice flour, jaggery, bananas, and cardamom powder. The batter is prepared by mixing rice flour, jaggery, mashed bananas, and cardamom powder. The mixture is then poured into a special pan designed for making unniyappam and fried until it turns golden brown. The soft and fluffy texture of unniyappam, along with its delicious taste, will make it one of your favorite desserts.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 40 minutes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 120
3. Palada Payasam
Palada Payasam is a popular dessert in Kerala that is prepared during special occasions like festivals and weddings. The main ingredients used in this dessert are rice flakes, milk, sugar, and ghee. The rice flakes are cooked in milk until they become soft, and then sugar and ghee are added to them. The dish is then garnished with fried cashews and raisins. The rich and creamy texture of Palada Payasam, along with its sweetness, makes it a must-try dessert.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 300
4. Parippu Pradhaman
ParippuPradhaman is a unique dessert made with moong dal, jaggery, coconut milk, and spices. The moong dal is cooked in coconut milk until it becomes soft, and then jaggery is added to it. The dish is then flavored with cardamom powder, fried coconut pieces, and raisins. The creamy texture of ParippuPradhaman, along with its aromatic flavors, will make you fall in love with this dessert.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 250
5. Chatti Pathiri
ChattiPathiri is a layered dessert made with thin pancakes and sweetened coconut filling. The pancakes are made with flour, eggs, and milk, and the filling is made with grated coconut, jaggery, and cardamom powder. The pancakes and filling are layered one over the other and then baked until they turn golden brown. The crispy texture and sweet taste of ChattiPathiri make it a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 220
6. Vattayappam
Vattayappam is a steamed sweet cake made with rice flour, coconut, yeast, and sugar. The batter is prepared by mixing rice flour, grated coconut, yeast, sugar, and cardamom powder. The mixture is then allowed to ferment for a few hours and steamed in a special pan. The soft and spongy texture of Vattayappam, along with its subtle sweetness, will make you want to have more.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 3 hours
Prep time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 180
What to Serve with These Kerala Dessert Recipes
These Kerala desserts are delicious on their own, but you can enhance the overall experience by serving them with some accompaniments. Ada Pradhaman, Palada Payasam, and ParippuPradhaman are creamy and rich desserts that pair well with some crispy fried pappadam. Unniyappam, ChattiPathiri, and Vattayappam are sweet and spongy desserts that go well with a cup of hot chai or coffee. You can also serve these desserts with some fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, or banana to balance out the sweetness. Overall, these desserts are versatile and can be served with a variety of accompaniments based on your preference.
Kerala's desserts take your taste buds on a delicious adventure through a wide range of flavors and textures. Each dessert has its own special blend of spices and sweetness that will leave you wanting more, from the velvety Ada Pradhaman to the fluffy Unniyappam. This list of six desserts is a must-try for anyone interested in learning more about the culinary traditions of Kerala. So, next time you're in Kerala, make sure to try out these finger-licking desserts!
