4 Indian Desserts You Can Make at Home

Desserts (or mithai in many native languages), are a huge part of Indian cuisine. There are dozens to choose from with dozens of flavors and styles. Many involve complicated processes that people find daunting, which detours a lot of people from giving them a try.

Even if you haven't tried Indian desserts before, these four simple recipes will allow you to make delicious, unique treats at home with minimal effort and inexpensive ingredients. Welcome the world of Indian desserts!

Recipe 1: Coconut Burfi (Coconut Squares)

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:10 mins
• Servings:24
• Easy

Ingredients

• 3 cups dry unsweetened coconut powder or grind up coconut flakes if you can't find powder
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk

• Step 1

  Empty the condensed milk into the pan and cook on low heat until milk is warm and runny.

• Step 2

  Add coconut powder and mix together until thick dough paste forms (approximately 2 minutes).

• Step 3

  Transfer to pan or baking dish and press down to cover the bottom of the container evenly. Smooth top and make even.

• Step 4

  Let sit for several minutes before cutting into squares (or any other shapes).

  

#spoontips: Add a pinch of cardamom powder after Step 2 for more flavor!

This Indian dessert is guaranteed to be a success— for whomever you serve it to and for yourself. It only takes a few minutes and two ingredients to present a dish that looks like it came straight out of a wrapped up box. 

Recipe 2: Gajar Halwa (Carrot Dessert)

• Prep Time:5 secs
• Cook Time:12 mins
• Total Time:12 mins 5 secs
• Servings:4
• Medium

Ingredients

• 1 tbs clarified butter you can use softened unsalted butter if needed but this changes the taste.
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup regular milk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup almond slivers

• Step 1

  Add the clarified butter to a pan and turn onto low heat.

• Step 2

  Mix in the grated carrots and cook until moisture mostly disappears from the pan.

• Step 3

  Then, add the evaporated milk and regular milk and stir until mixture thickens and liquid reduces.

• Step 4

  Add the sugar and mix, then the almond slivers. Stir for 5 minutes until the mixture looks like a paste.

  

#spoontip: Make it the day before to let all of the flavors come together as much as possible. It's also great heated up and topped with vanilla ice cream!

Not only does this dessert have a colorful appearance, but you can brag about the health benefits. After all, it does contain one of the healthiest vegetables: carrots. Now you can indulge in a delicious yet nutrient-filled dessert.

Recipe 3: Rice Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:15 mins
• Total Time:20 mins
• Servings:8
• Medium

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice ½ cup uncooked rice yields approximately 2 cups rice
• 2 ½ cups evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup almond slivers
• 1/4 cup raisins

• Step 1

  First, cook rice separately for easy dish preparation.
  Boil ½ cup uncooked rice with 1 cup water in a pot on low heat and cover until water has been absorbed.

• Step 2

  Add rice and evaporated milk to a pot and heat on low for 3-5 minutes.

• Step 3

  Combine with sugar and simmer until mixture thickens to a thick soup-like texture.
  
  #spoontip: Add cardamom before adding the sugar for extra flavor.

• Step 4

  Add almonds and raisins and continue to stir. Garnish with saffron for vibrant addition of color and added taste. This dish is most often enjoyed cold, but tastes great warm too.

  

#spoontip: Make the day before to allow flavors to combine for best results.

Almost every culture has a rice pudding dish. Spanish rice pudding, German rice pudding, Thai rice pudding.. you name it, it exists. Add this Indian rice pudding dessert with a twist to your arsenal.

Amrakhand (Indian Mango Pudding)

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:0
• Total Time:5 mins
• Servings:8
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups mango pulp
• 1 lb 453 g Greek yogurt labne
• cup sugar change amount sugar based on your personal preferences

• Step 1

  Empty the yogurt and pulp into a large mixing bowl.

• Step 2

  Add sugar gradually until you get the sweetness level you desire.

  

Originally from places like India and the Philippines, mangoes have been a craze that nobody has been able to move past for centuries. Desserts like this one satisfy your sweet tooth but also have a kick of tartness so it's not overwhelming—you can eat it all day long. 

So the next time you're scrolling through your Instagram looking longingly at pictures of dessert, get up and make one of these recipes instead. All you need is a need a few minutes to make these unique desserts and you'll be cured of both boredom and hunger. Happy cooking!