INDIAN DESSERTS MADE EASY: RECIPES FOR GULAB JAMUN, KULFI AND MORE
India is famous for its diverse cuisine. One aspect that stands out is the country's wide range of delectable desserts. From rich and creamy rasmalai to syrupy and soft gulab jamun, Indian desserts have a unique and irresistible taste that has delighted food lovers.
Read here for easy-to-follow recipes for some of the most popular Indian desserts.These are perfect for experienced and novice home cooks alike. Yet, preparing these desserts can often be a daunting task.
Five Indian Dessert Recipes to Impress Loved Ones
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is one of the most popular and beloved desserts in India. Usually, it is a part of the menu for weddings, festivals, and other special occasions. You can use milk solids to prepare this syrupy and soft dessert. Following is a simple and easy-to-follow Gulab Jamun recipe that you can try at home:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup of milk powder
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter or ghee
- 1/2 cup of milk or ½ cup of Alcoeats Vegan Coconut Milk Powder
- Oil for frying
FOR THE SYRUP
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 2-3 cardamom pods
- A few strands of saffron
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the Alcoeats Vegan Coconut Milk Powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Add the ghee or unsalted butter to coarse breadcrumbs.
- Add the milk and knead the mixture until it forms a smooth and soft dough.
- Divide the dough into small balls about the size of a marble.
- Take a deep pan and heat the oil over medium heat. Fry the balls until they turn golden brown. Remove the balls from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel.
- To prepare the syrup, add the sugar and water to a saucepan and boil over medium heat. Add the cardamom pods and saffron strands and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the syrup thickens.
- Once the syrup has thickened, add the fried balls and let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve the Gulab Jamun warm or chilled, garnished with chopped nuts or grated coconut.
Rasmalai
Rasmalai is a popular Indian dessert. It includes spongy cottage cheese balls soaked in creamy, sweetened milk sauce. Follow the simple and easy-to-follow Rasmalai recipe that you can try at home:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 liter of whole milk or 1 liter of Alcoeats Vegan Coconut Milk Powder ( for vegan recipe)
- One lemon
- 1 cup of sugar
- 4 cups of water
- 4-5 strands of saffron
- One teaspoon of cardamom powder
- One tablespoon of rose water
- Chopped pistachios and almonds for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, prepare the chhena or paneer by heating the milk in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. When the milk comes to a boil, add the lemon juice and stir until the milk curdles and separates into curds and whey.
- Strain the curdled milk through a cheesecloth or muslin cloth. Rinse under cold running water to remove any sourness from the lemon juice. Squeeze out any excess water. Hang the cheesecloth over a bowl for 30 minutes to drain any remaining liquid.
- After 30 minutes, remove the chenna from the cheesecloth. Knead it for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and soft. Divide the chenna into small balls, flatten them, and keep them aside.
- Add the sugar, water, saffron, and cardamom powder in a large pot, and boil over medium heat.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the chenna balls to the pot and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the chenna cook for about 15-20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the chenna balls sit in the sugar syrup for at least 2-3 hours to absorb the syrup and become soft.
- To serve, place the chenna balls in a serving dish, and pour some of the sugar syrup over them. You can also add a few drops of rose water for added flavor. Garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds.
- Chill the rasmalai in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving it. It will be a delicious and refreshing dessert.
Enjoy your homemade rasmalai!
Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is a traditional Indian Bengali dessert made from sweetened yogurt. Often flavored with cardamom and served chilled.Here is Mishti Doi Recipe for you.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups of full-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar (mishri)
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
- Saffron strands for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar (mishri) and cardamom powder to the yogurt and mix.
- Add the milk to the mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour the yogurt mixture into a serving dish and spread it.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate it for at least 4-5 hours, or overnight, to allow the yogurt to set and become firm.
- Once the Mishti Doi has set, take it from the refrigerator and garnish it with some saffron strands.
Serve chilled.
Vegan Rice Kheer
Rice kheer is a traditional Indian dessert made with rice and milk. Use cardamom to add some extra flavor. Add sugar to sweeten the Rice Kheer. Here is the Rice Kheer Recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup of basmati rice
- 4 cups of Alcoeats Vegan Coconut Milk Powder
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts and raisins for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Rinse the rice and soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Bring the 4 cups of Alcoeats Vegan Coconut Milk Powder with powder to a boil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Add the rice to the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer until it's cooked and the milk has reduced to a creamy consistency.
- Stir in the sugar and cardamom powder and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped nuts and raisins.
Chill the Rice Kheer in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade Rice Kheer!
Besan Laddoo Recipe
Besan laddoo is a favorite Indian sweet. It has a rich, nutty flavor that is best during festivals and celebrations. To prepare the Besan Laddoo, use roasted chickpea flour (besan), sugar, ghee, and nuts.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups of besan (gram flour)
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup of ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large pan, heat the ghee over medium heat.
- Add the besan to the pan and stir for 10-12 minutes until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma.
- Add the powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the pan and mix well.
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls or laddoos.
- Garnish with chopped nuts.
- Let the Besan Laddoos cool completely and store them in an airtight container.
Enjoy your homemade Besan Laddoos!
Summing Up on Indian Dessert
Making delicious Indian desserts at home doesn't have to be a difficult task. With these easy-to-follow recipes, you can please your sweet tooth. Wait no more to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.