10 delectable Indian milk-based desserts

Jun 5, 2024

Credit: Freepik

Rasmalai

Soft and spongy cottage cheese dumplings soaked in sweetened, thickened milk flavoured with cardamom and saffron, garnished with chopped nuts.

Credit: Freepik

Gulab Jamun

Deep-fried dumplings made from milk solids (khoya) and soaked in a sugar syrup infused with rose water, cardamom, and saffron.

Credit: Freepik

Kheer (Rice Pudding)

A creamy rice pudding made with rice, milk, and sugar, and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and nuts. It can also be made with vermicelli or tapioca pearls.

Credit: Freepik

Kalakand

​A dense, grainy sweet made from condensed milk, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and sometimes nuts.

Credit: Freepik

Basundi

A rich and creamy dessert made by reducing milk with sugar until it thickens, flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.

Credit: Freepik

Malai Peda

Soft, creamy milk fudge flavoured with cardamom and garnished with pistachios or almonds. It's often served as a festive treat.

Credit: Freepik

Rabri

A thickened, sweetened milk dessert made by simmering milk for hours until it reduces to a thick consistency, flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.

Credit: Freepik

Shahi Tukda

Deep-fried bread slices soaked in sweetened, thickened milk flavoured with cardamom, and saffron, and garnished with chopped nuts and edible silver leaf.

Credit: Freepik

Cham Cham

Oval-shaped cottage cheese dumplings cooked in sugar syrup and then soaked in sweetened, thickened milk flavoured with saffron and garnished with nuts.

Credit: Freepik

Paneer Payasam

A South Indian version of kheer made with crumbled paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cooked in sweetened, thickened milk flavoured with cardamom and nuts.

Credit: Freepik