National Sweet of India: 5 Best and Most Popular

National Sweet of India, India is a land of diverse cultures, languages, and flavors. One of the best ways to experience the country’s rich culinary heritage is through its sweets.

Indian sweets, also known as mithai, are a unique blend of textures, flavors, and aromas that are sure to delight your senses.

Whether you’re a fan of the soft and spongy rasgulla or the crunchy and syrupy jalebi, there is a sweet for every taste bud.

In this article, we bring you the top 5 most popular national sweets of India and their recipes, so you can indulge in the deliciousness of Indian mithai at home.

Rasgulla: National Sweet of India

Rasgulla, a popular sweet from the state of West Bengal, is made of chenna or cottage cheese balls that are cooked in a sugar syrup.

This syrupy delicacy is spongy, juicy, and mouth-watering.

The origin of rasgulla can be traced back to the 19th century, and it has become one of the most loved sweets across the country.

Rasgulla Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 liter of full-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 cup of sugar
• 5 cups of water
• A pinch of cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Boil the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan and add lemon juice to curdle it.
2. Drain the chenna in a muslin cloth and wash it with cold water to remove any sourness.
3. Knead the chenna for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
4. Divide the chenna into small balls and flatten them slightly.
5. In a separate pan, mix the sugar, water, and cardamom powder and bring it to a boil.
6. Add the chenna balls to the sugar syrup and cook for 10-12 minutes on medium heat.
7. Remove from heat and let it cool. Serve chilled.

Nutritional information for Rasgulla:

Note: Please note that these values may vary depending on the specific recipe and brand of Rasgulla.

Gulab Jamun : National Sweet of India

Gulab Jamun, also known as “rose berry,” is a sweet dish made with khoya or milk solids that are deep-fried and then soaked in sugar syrup flavored with cardamom and rose water.

This sweet has a soft texture and a rich, creamy taste, making it one of the most popular sweets in India.

Gulab Jamun recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of khoya (milk solids)
• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• A pinch of baking soda
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder
• Oil or ghee for deep frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, crumble the khoya and add the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Mix well to form a smooth dough.
2. Divide the dough into small equal-sized balls and roll them into smooth balls.
3. Heat the oil or ghee in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough into it. If it rises to the surface immediately, the oil is ready for frying.
4. Carefully add the dough balls to the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Make sure to fry them on low to medium heat to ensure even cooking and prevent them from burning.
5. Drain the fried balls on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
6. In a separate pan, mix the sugar, water, and cardamom powder and bring it to a boil to make the sugar syrup.
7. Add the fried balls to the syrup and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
8. Serve the Gulab Jamun warm or chilled.

Nutritional information for Gulab Jamun:

Note: Please note that these values may vary depending on the specific recipe and brand of Gulab Jamun.

Ladoo: National Sweet of India

Ladoo is a round-shaped sweet that is made with flour, ghee, sugar, and nuts.

The ingredients are mixed together and formed into small balls that are then garnished with nuts like almonds, cashews, and pistachios.

This sweet dish is prepared on various occasions such as festivals, marriages, and other celebrations.

Ladoo recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of besan (gram flour)
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 cup of ghee
• 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder
• 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, or pistachios)

Instructions:

1. Heat the ghee in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the besan and roast it in the ghee, stirring continuously, until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma.
3. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down a bit.
4. Add the powdered sugar, cardamom powder, and chopped nuts to the besan mixture and mix well.
5. Take a small portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball-shaped Ladoo.
6. Repeat this process until all the mixture has been used.
7. Allow the Ladoo to cool and set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

You can store the Ladoo in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Ladoo!

Nutritional information for Ladoo:

Note : Please note that these values may vary depending on the specific recipe and brand of Ladoo.

Barfi: National Sweet of India

Barfi, also known as “burfi,” is a square or diamond-shaped sweet dish that is made with condensed milk, sugar, and ghee.

The mixture is flavored with cardamom or rose water and garnished with nuts.

This sweet is popular across India and is available in a variety of flavors like chocolate, coconut, and pistachio.

Barfi recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of grated or crumbled khoya (milk solids)
• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
• 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, or pistachios)

Instructions:

1. Grease a square or rectangular pan with ghee and keep it aside.
2. In a pan, add the khoya and roast it on low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring continuously, until it turns slightly golden and emits a nutty aroma.
3. Add the powdered sugar to the roasted khoya and mix well until it melts and forms a smooth mixture. Keep stirring for 5-6 minutes until the mixture thickens.
4. Add the water and cardamom powder to the mixture and stir well for another 4-5 minutes.
5. Add the chopped nuts to the mixture and mix well.
6. Pour the mixture into the greased pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
7. Allow it to cool and set for at least 2-3 hours.
8. Cut the Barfi into small square-shaped pieces.

You can store the Barfi in an airtight container for up to a week.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Barfi!

Nutritional information for Barfi:

Note: Please note that these values may vary depending on the specific recipe and brand of Barfi.

Jalebi: National Sweet of India

A crispy and syrupy dessert made by deep-frying a batter of fermented flour and soaking it in sugar syrup.

This sweet is popular in North India and is often served during breakfast or as a dessert.

Jalebi recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of gram flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of curd (yogurt)
• 1 cup of water
• A pinch of saffron strands
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of water
• Oil or ghee for deep frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, gram flour, baking soda, and curd. Add water gradually to form a smooth batter. Mix well until there are no lumps.
2. Add the saffron strands to the batter and mix well. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a separate pan, mix the sugar and water and heat it on medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and forms a syrup. Keep the syrup aside.
4. Heat the oil or ghee in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
5. Pour the batter into a squeeze bottle or a piping bag with a small nozzle.
6. Squeeze the batter into the hot oil in circular motions to form spiral-shaped Jalebis. Fry them until golden brown.
7. Take out the Jalebis from the oil and immediately dip them into the sugar syrup.
8. Let the Jalebis soak in the syrup for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serve the hot and sweet Jalebis and enjoy!

You can store the leftover Jalebis in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Nutritional information for Jalebi:

Note: Please note that these values may vary depending on the specific recipe and brand of Jalebi.

Also See – 15 Must-Try Festival Foods Across America