8 Interesting Indian Desserts You May Not Have Heard Of
By Shireen Jamooji
November 15th, 2023
We've all experienced the joy of a warm gulab jamun, or a jalebi, still hot from the oil. But there is a world of Indian desserts still to explore! Here are 8 desserts from around India that deserve their time in the spotlight.
Achappam
Originating from Kerala’s Syrian Christian community, they reflect Dutch colonial influences. Made with rice flour, egg, and coconut milk batter, they're fried to perfection using a mould.
Pootharekulu
A beloved sweet from Andhra Pradesh, Pootharekulu is a festival staple. Thin rice starch sheets envelop layers of sugar, jaggery, dry fruits.
Sarpuria
Hailing from Krishna Nagar this Bengali sweet features layers of thick cream, occasionally mixed with khoya, is baked and then dipped in sugar syrup, and garnished with nuts.
Awan Bangwi
A unique dish from Tripura, Awan Bangwi involves Lairu leaf-wrapped rice dishes. Sticky rice, ghee-sauteed cashews, and raisins are steamed in a Lairu leaf cone.
Chak Hao Kheer
Originating from Manipur, Chak Hao Kheer is a rich rice pudding made with black rice cooked in milk with sugar, bay leaves, cardamom, coconut, and fried cashews.
Bolo Sans Rival
A lesser-known Goan dessert, Bolo Sans Rival, meaning 'dessert without rival,' features layers of meringue sandwiched with thick buttercream
Kharvas
A Maharashtrian delicacy, Kharvas is a slow-cooked sweetened milk pudding made from colostrum, the first form of buffalo milk produced after a calf's birth.
Breudher
A commonly found cake in Kochi, this baked delicacy is stuffed with raisins and bears the influence of Kerala's Dutch past.
