List of Indian sweets and desserts

Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:36:40 AM Wikipedia source

This is a list of Indian sweets and desserts, also called mithai, a significant element in Indian cuisine. Indians are known for their unique taste and experimental behavior when it comes to food. Many Indian desserts are fried foods made with sugar, milk or condensed milk. Ingredients and preferred types of dessert vary by region. In the eastern part of India, for example, most are based on milk products. Many are flavoured with almonds and pistachios, spiced with cardamon, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper, and decorated with nuts, or with gold or silver leaf.

Tables

· North

Arisa Pitha

Name

Arisa Pitha

Main ingredients

Rice flour, Jaggery

Category

Fried, jaggery based

Bal mithai

Name

Bal mithai

Main ingredients

Khoya, cane sugar, caramelised sugar syrup

Category

Khoya fudge

Boondi

Name

Boondi

Main ingredients

Gram flour (besan), ghee, sugar.

Category

Sugar syrup based

Gajar Paak

Name

Gajar Paak

Main ingredients

Carrots, milk, sugar, ghee, cashews and raisins.

Category

Halva

Ghevar

Name

Ghevar

Main ingredients

Flour, ghee, kewra, milk, clarified butter, sugar, almonds, pistachio, saffron, green cardamom.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Gulab jamun

Name

Gulab jamun

Main ingredients

Fried milk balls soaked in sweet syrup, such as rose syrup or honey.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Imarti

Name

Imarti

Main ingredients

Sugar syrup, lentil flour.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Jalebi

Name

Jalebi

Main ingredients

Dough fried in a coil shape dipped in sugar syrup, often taken with milk, tea, yogurt, or lassi.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Kaju katli

Name

Kaju katli

Main ingredients

Cashews, ghee with cardamom and sugar.

Category

Barfi

Kalakand

Name

Kalakand

Main ingredients

Milk, cottage cheese.

Category

Burfi

Kheer

Name

Kheer

Main ingredients

A rice pudding made with milk, rice, sugar and dried fruits

Category

Pudding

Khirmohan

Name

Khirmohan

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar, semolina, water.

Category

Sugar syrup based

Kulfi

Name

Kulfi

Main ingredients

An ice cream made with milk and sugar, with a variety of flavours such as mango, saffron, or cardamom.

Category

Ice cream

Laddu

Name

Laddu

Main ingredients

Gram flour (besan), ghee, sugar.

Category

Laddu

Lassi

Name

Lassi

Main ingredients

Yogurt, milk, nuts, can be made with mango.

Category

Yogurt drink

Motichoor laddu

Name

Motichoor laddu

Main ingredients

Besan flour, sugar.

Category

Laddu

Makhan Bada

Name

Makhan Bada

Main ingredients

Maida flour, yogurt, oil, sugar.

Category

Sugar syrup based

Malpua

Name

Malpua

Main ingredients

Wheat or rice flour.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Nankhatai

Name

Nankhatai

Main ingredients

Refined flour, besan, ghee, powdered sugar, yogurt green cardamom seeds.

Category

Baked

Petha

Name

Petha

Main ingredients

Firm white pumpkin, sugar, kitchen lime, alum powder.

Category

Sugar syrup based

Phirni

Name

Phirni

Main ingredients

Rice, sugar, nuts.

Category

Pudding

Rabri

Name

Rabri

Main ingredients

Boiled condensed milk, sugar, spices and nuts.

Category

Pudding

Sheera

Name

Sheera

Main ingredients

Semolina, ghee, nuts, milk.

Category

Pudding

Singori

Name

Singori

Main ingredients

Khoa, coconut, molu leaf.

Category

Milk-based

Sohan halwa

Name

Sohan halwa

Main ingredients

Corn flour, ghee, dry fruits.

Category

Halva

Sohan papdi, pateesa

Name

Sohan papdi, pateesa

Main ingredients

Besan flour.

Category

Barfi

Bihari Makuti

Name

Bihari Makuti

Main ingredients

Moong Dal, milk

Category

Pudding.

Name	Image	Main ingredients	Category
Arisa Pitha		Rice flour, Jaggery	Fried, jaggery based
Bal mithai		Khoya, cane sugar, caramelised sugar syrup	Khoya fudge
Boondi		Gram flour (besan), ghee, sugar.	Sugar syrup based
Gajar Paak		Carrots, milk, sugar, ghee, cashews and raisins.	Halva
Ghevar		Flour, ghee, kewra, milk, clarified butter, sugar, almonds, pistachio, saffron, green cardamom.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Gulab jamun		Fried milk balls soaked in sweet syrup, such as rose syrup or honey.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Imarti		Sugar syrup, lentil flour.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Jalebi		Dough fried in a coil shape dipped in sugar syrup, often taken with milk, tea, yogurt, or lassi.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Kaju katli		Cashews, ghee with cardamom and sugar.	Barfi
Kalakand		Milk, cottage cheese.	Burfi
Kheer		A rice pudding made with milk, rice, sugar and dried fruits	Pudding
Khirmohan		Chhena, sugar, semolina, water.	Sugar syrup based
Kulfi		An ice cream made with milk and sugar, with a variety of flavours such as mango, saffron, or cardamom.	Ice cream
Laddu		Gram flour (besan), ghee, sugar.	Laddu
Lassi		Yogurt, milk, nuts, can be made with mango.	Yogurt drink
Motichoor laddu		Besan flour, sugar.	Laddu
Makhan Bada		Maida flour, yogurt, oil, sugar.	Sugar syrup based
Malpua		Wheat or rice flour.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Nankhatai		Refined flour, besan, ghee, powdered sugar, yogurt green cardamom seeds.	Baked
Petha		Firm white pumpkin, sugar, kitchen lime, alum powder.	Sugar syrup based
Phirni		Rice, sugar, nuts.	Pudding
Rabri		Boiled condensed milk, sugar, spices and nuts.	Pudding
Sheera		Semolina, ghee, nuts, milk.	Pudding
Singori		Khoa, coconut, molu leaf.	Milk-based
Sohan halwa		Corn flour, ghee, dry fruits.	Halva
Sohan papdi, pateesa		Besan flour.	Barfi
Bihari Makuti		Moong Dal, milk	Pudding.

· East

Amriti

Name

Amriti

Main ingredients

Deep fried vigna mungo, sugar syrup.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Cham cham

Name

Cham cham

Main ingredients

Flour, cream, sugar, saffron, lemon juice, coconut flakes.

Category

Milk-based

Chandrapuli

Name

Chandrapuli

Main ingredients

Khoa, sugar, ghee, coconut flakes.

Category

Coconut and milk based

Chhena gaja

Name

Chhena gaja

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar, ghee.

Category

Milk-based

Chhena jalebi

Name

Chhena jalebi

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar, ghee.

Category

Milk-based

Chhena Jhili

Name

Chhena Jhili

Main ingredients

whole milk, refined flour, powdered sugar, cardamom, oil/ghee for deep frying

Category

Milk based

Chhena kheeri

Name

Chhena kheeri

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar, milk.

Category

Milk-based

Chhena poda

Name

Chhena poda

Main ingredients

Sugar, chenna cheese.

Category

Milk-based

Chuda Ghasa

Name

Chuda Ghasa

Main ingredients

Rice Flakes (Poha), Sugar powder or Jaggery, Desi Ghee, Grated fresh Coconut, Pepper Powder, big cardamon powder, Dry fruits Optional

Category

Flatten rice/rice flakes, sugar/jaggery, ghee based

Coconut Barfi

Name

Coconut Barfi

Main ingredients

Made from coconut, fine ground sugar, ghee, cardamom powder and milk.

Category

Coconut and milk based

Jaynagarer Moa

Name

Jaynagarer Moa

Main ingredients

gur, cow ghee, Kanakchur khoi

Category

Fried and Rice-based

Kheer sagar

Name

Kheer sagar

Main ingredients

Chenna, condensed milk, sugar, saffron, cardamom.

Category

Milk-based

Kolar Bora

Name

Kolar Bora

Main ingredients

banana, coconut, maida, sugar, oil

Category

Fried and Banana-based

Labanga latika

Name

Labanga latika

Main ingredients

maida, khoa, nutmeg (powdered), grated coconut, ghee, nuts, raisins, cardamom, cloves and sugar

Category

Fried and sugar-syrup based

Ledikeni

Name

Ledikeni

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar, ghee.

Category

Milk-based

Lyangcha

Name

Lyangcha

Main ingredients

Flour, fried milk powder, sugar syrup.

Category

Milk-based

Malapua (dessert)

Name

Malapua (dessert)

Main ingredients

Yogurt, refined flour, ghee, fennel seeds.

Category

Milk-based

Mihidana

Name

Mihidana

Main ingredients

Besan flour, sugar, ghee.

Category

Fried, sugar syrup based

Misti doi

Name

Misti doi

Main ingredients

Yogurt, jaggery.

Category

Milk-based

Pantua

Name

Pantua

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar, ghee

Category

Milk-based

Pithe

Name

Pithe

Main ingredients

Rice flour.

Category

Milk-based

Puri Khaja

Name

Puri Khaja

Main ingredients

Refined flour (maida), pure ghee, sugar, refined cooking oil for frying (Pure ghee may also be used for frying) Salt to taste

Category

Ghee and refined flour-based

Rabri

Name

Rabri

Main ingredients

Sweetened milk.

Category

Milk-based

Rasabali

Name

Rasabali

Main ingredients

Chenna, sweetened milk.

Category

Milk-based

Ras malai

Name

Ras malai

Main ingredients

Chhena, reduced milk, pistachio

Category

Milk-based

Rasgulla

Name

Rasgulla

Main ingredients

Chhena, sugar

Category

Milk-based

Sandesh

Name

Sandesh

Main ingredients

Made from cheese, kneaded with fine ground sugar and molasses.

Category

Milk-based

Sarpuria

Name

Sarpuria

Main ingredients

cream, sugar, maida, gheecardamom powder

Category

Fried and Milk-based

Sirir naru

Name

Sirir naru

Main ingredients

jaggery and gram flour, mustard oil for deep fry

Category

Jaggery based

Shorbhaja

Name

Shorbhaja

Main ingredients

sugar, cream, ghee, maida

Category

Fried, milk and sugar syrup-based

Sitabhog

Name

Sitabhog

Main ingredients

Chhena, rice flour, sugar, vermicelli/rice

Category

Fried, rice, and sugar-syrup based

Name	Image	Main ingredients	Category
Amriti		Deep fried vigna mungo, sugar syrup.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Cham cham		Flour, cream, sugar, saffron, lemon juice, coconut flakes.	Milk-based
Chandrapuli		Khoa, sugar, ghee, coconut flakes.	Coconut and milk based
Chhena gaja		Chhena, sugar, ghee.	Milk-based
Chhena jalebi		Chhena, sugar, ghee.	Milk-based
Chhena Jhili		whole milk, refined flour, powdered sugar, cardamom, oil/ghee for deep frying	Milk based
Chhena kheeri		Chhena, sugar, milk.	Milk-based
Chhena poda		Sugar, chenna cheese.	Milk-based
Chuda Ghasa		Rice Flakes (Poha), Sugar powder or Jaggery, Desi Ghee, Grated fresh Coconut, Pepper Powder, big cardamon powder, Dry fruits Optional	Flatten rice/rice flakes, sugar/jaggery, ghee based
Coconut Barfi		Made from coconut, fine ground sugar, ghee, cardamom powder and milk.	Coconut and milk based
Jaynagarer Moa		gur, cow ghee, Kanakchur khoi	Fried and Rice-based
Kheer sagar		Chenna, condensed milk, sugar, saffron, cardamom.	Milk-based
Kolar Bora		banana, coconut, maida, sugar, oil	Fried and Banana-based
Labanga latika		maida, khoa, nutmeg (powdered), grated coconut, ghee, nuts, raisins, cardamom, cloves and sugar	Fried and sugar-syrup based
Ledikeni		Chhena, sugar, ghee.	Milk-based
Lyangcha		Flour, fried milk powder, sugar syrup.	Milk-based
Malapua (dessert)		Yogurt, refined flour, ghee, fennel seeds.	Milk-based
Mihidana		Besan flour, sugar, ghee.	Fried, sugar syrup based
Misti doi		Yogurt, jaggery.	Milk-based
Pantua		Chhena, sugar, ghee	Milk-based
Pithe		Rice flour.	Milk-based
Puri Khaja		Refined flour (maida), pure ghee, sugar, refined cooking oil for frying (Pure ghee may also be used for frying) Salt to taste	Ghee and refined flour-based
Rabri		Sweetened milk.	Milk-based
Rasabali		Chenna, sweetened milk.	Milk-based
Ras malai		Chhena, reduced milk, pistachio	Milk-based
Rasgulla		Chhena, sugar	Milk-based
Sandesh		Made from cheese, kneaded with fine ground sugar and molasses.	Milk-based
Sarpuria		cream, sugar, maida, gheecardamom powder	Fried and Milk-based
Sirir naru		jaggery and gram flour, mustard oil for deep fry	Jaggery based
Shorbhaja		sugar, cream, ghee, maida	Fried, milk and sugar syrup-based
Sitabhog		Chhena, rice flour, sugar, vermicelli/rice	Fried, rice, and sugar-syrup based

· South

Ada

Name

Ada

Main ingredients

Rice flour, grated coconut, jaggery or sugar

Ada pradhaman

Name

Ada pradhaman

Main ingredients

Rice Ada, coconut milk, jaggery, nuts, raisins, cardamom

Adhirasam/Khajjaya/Ariselu

Name

Adhirasam/Khajjaya/Ariselu

Main ingredients

Rice flour, jaggery, ghee, vegetable oil, elachi

Arcot Makkan Peda

Name

Arcot Makkan Peda

Main ingredients

Khoa, Maida, Sugar, cardamon powder, stuffed with nuts

Category

Similar to Gulab Jamun but stuffed with nuts. Famous in Arcot, Tamil Nadu

Bandar laddu

Name

Bandar laddu

Main ingredients

Besan, jaggery, cardamom powder, ghee, cashews and raisins, jaggery syrup, sugar

Category

Laddu, popular in Machilipatanam, Andhra Pradesh

Boorelu

Name

Boorelu

Main ingredients

Chana dal, jaggery

Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai

Name

Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai

Main ingredients

Nuts (usually peanuts), jaggery

Dharwad Pedha

Name

Dharwad Pedha

Main ingredients

Milk, Sugar, Dharwadi buffalo milk

Category

Burfi

Double ka Meetha

Name

Double ka Meetha

Main ingredients

Loaf bread, milk

Gavvalu

Name

Gavvalu

Main ingredients

Rice flour

Jaangiri

Name

Jaangiri

Main ingredients

Black gram

Category

Fry syrup based

Kakinada Kaaja

Name

Kakinada Kaaja

Main ingredients

Wheat flour, sugar

Kozhukkattai

Name

Kozhukkattai

Main ingredients

Rice flour, Ground Nut, Jaggery, grated coconut

Category

Similar to Modak in Tamil Nadu

Kuzhi paniyaram

Name

Kuzhi paniyaram

Main ingredients

Black lentils and rice

Mysore Pak

Name

Mysore Pak

Main ingredients

Besan flour, sugar, ghee

Category

Burfi

Obbattu / Holige / Bobbatlu / Pappu Polelu / Boli

Name

Obbattu / Holige / Bobbatlu / Pappu Polelu / Boli

Main ingredients

Maida flour, Coconut or Channa Dal/Toor Dal, Jaggery

Category

Bread

Srivilliputtur Palkova

Name

Srivilliputtur Palkova

Main ingredients

Milk, Sugar

Category

Famous in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu

Palathalikalu

Name

Palathalikalu

Main ingredients

Rice flour, milk

Pongal

Name

Pongal

Main ingredients

rice, jaggery, cashews, ghee

Pootharekulu

Name

Pootharekulu

Main ingredients

Rice flour, powdered sugar/ghee

Tirunelveli Halwa

Name

Tirunelveli Halwa

Main ingredients

wheat flour, sugar, ghee, nuts, cardamom

Category

A famous sweet in Tamil Nadu .

Khubani ka meetha

Name

Khubani ka meetha

Main ingredients

Apricots, sugar syrup

Kesari bat

Name

Kesari bat

Main ingredients

Rava (semolina, ghee, sugar)

sheer khurma

Name

sheer khurma

Main ingredients

Vermicelli, pudding, milk

Unni Appam

Name

Unni Appam

Main ingredients

Rice flour, banana, jaggery, coconut

Kajjikaya

Name

Kajjikaya

Main ingredients

Rice flour, jaggery, coconut

Name	Image	Main ingredients	Category
Ada		Rice flour, grated coconut, jaggery or sugar
Ada pradhaman		Rice Ada, coconut milk, jaggery, nuts, raisins, cardamom
Adhirasam/Khajjaya/Ariselu		Rice flour, jaggery, ghee, vegetable oil, elachi
Arcot Makkan Peda		Khoa, Maida, Sugar, cardamon powder, stuffed with nuts	Similar to Gulab Jamun but stuffed with nuts. Famous in Arcot, Tamil Nadu
Bandar laddu		Besan, jaggery, cardamom powder, ghee, cashews and raisins, jaggery syrup, sugar	Laddu, popular in Machilipatanam, Andhra Pradesh
Boorelu		Chana dal, jaggery
Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai		Nuts (usually peanuts), jaggery
Dharwad Pedha		Milk, Sugar, Dharwadi buffalo milk	Burfi
Double ka Meetha		Loaf bread, milk
Gavvalu		Rice flour
Jaangiri		Black gram	Fry syrup based
Kakinada Kaaja		Wheat flour, sugar
Kozhukkattai		Rice flour, Ground Nut, Jaggery, grated coconut	Similar to Modak in Tamil Nadu
Kuzhi paniyaram		Black lentils and rice
Mysore Pak		Besan flour, sugar, ghee	Burfi
Obbattu / Holige / Bobbatlu / Pappu Polelu / Boli		Maida flour, Coconut or Channa Dal/Toor Dal, Jaggery	Bread
Srivilliputtur Palkova		Milk, Sugar	Famous in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu
Palathalikalu		Rice flour, milk
Pongal		rice, jaggery, cashews, ghee
Pootharekulu		Rice flour, powdered sugar/ghee
Tirunelveli Halwa		wheat flour, sugar, ghee, nuts, cardamom	A famous sweet in Tamil Nadu .
Khubani ka meetha		Apricots, sugar syrup
Kesari bat		Rava (semolina, ghee, sugar)
sheer khurma		Vermicelli, pudding, milk
Unni Appam		Rice flour, banana, jaggery, coconut
Kajjikaya		Rice flour, jaggery, coconut

· West

Aamras

Name

Aamras

Main ingredients

Mango, milk

Anarsa

Name

Anarsa

Main ingredients

Slightly fermented rice flour, jaggery, khus-khus seeds

Basundi

Name

Basundi

Main ingredients

Sugar, milk

Bebinca

Name

Bebinca

Main ingredients

Flour, sugar, ghee, egg yolk, coconut milk

Category

Baked layered Christmas sweet

Dhondas

Name

Dhondas

Main ingredients

Cucumber, rava

Category

Baked cake

Doodhpak

Name

Doodhpak

Main ingredients

Milk, rice, sugar, dry fruits

Category

Milk-based

Kaju katli

Name

Kaju katli

Main ingredients

Cashews, ghee

Mahim halwa

Name

Mahim halwa

Main ingredients

Semolina, sugar

Modak

Name

Modak

Main ingredients

Rice flour, coconut jaggery stuffing

Category

Fried

Mohanthal

Name

Mohanthal

Main ingredients

Besan, ghee, sugar and nuts

Patoleo

Name

Patoleo

Main ingredients

Rice flour, coconut jaggery and grated coconut stuffing

Category

Wrapped in turmeric leaves and steamed

Puran poli

Name

Puran poli

Main ingredients

Wheat flour, gram, jaggery

Category

Bread

Shankarpali

Name

Shankarpali

Main ingredients

Sugar, ghee, maida flour, semolina

Shrikhand

Name

Shrikhand

Main ingredients

A creamy dessert made out of strained yogurt, often served with dried fruits such as mangoes.

Category

Yogurt-based

Sutar feni

Name

Sutar feni

Main ingredients

Maida, sugar, ghee

Name	Image	Main ingredients	Category
Aamras		Mango, milk
Anarsa		Slightly fermented rice flour, jaggery, khus-khus seeds
Basundi		Sugar, milk
Bebinca		Flour, sugar, ghee, egg yolk, coconut milk	Baked layered Christmas sweet
Dhondas		Cucumber, rava	Baked cake
Doodhpak		Milk, rice, sugar, dry fruits	Milk-based
Kaju katli		Cashews, ghee
Mahim halwa		Semolina, sugar
Modak		Rice flour, coconut jaggery stuffing	Fried
Mohanthal		Besan, ghee, sugar and nuts
Patoleo		Rice flour, coconut jaggery and grated coconut stuffing	Wrapped in turmeric leaves and steamed
Puran poli		Wheat flour, gram, jaggery	Bread
Shankarpali		Sugar, ghee, maida flour, semolina
Shrikhand		A creamy dessert made out of strained yogurt, often served with dried fruits such as mangoes.	Yogurt-based
Sutar feni		Maida, sugar, ghee

· Pan-Indian

Barfi

Name

Barfi

Main ingredients

Milk Powder

Category

Barfi

Halva

Name

Halva

Main ingredients

Corn Flour

Category

Boiled

Kheer

Name

Kheer

Main ingredients

Milk, vermicelli, sugar, nuts

Category

Milk-based, called Payasam in Southern parts of the country

Laddoo

Name

Laddoo

Main ingredients

Milk, flour

Category

Laddu

Peda

Name

Peda

Main ingredients

Milk (khoya), sugar, saffron

Category

Milk-based

Name	Image	Main ingredients	Category
Barfi		Milk Powder	Barfi
Halva		Corn Flour	Boiled
Kheer		Milk, vermicelli, sugar, nuts	Milk-based, called Payasam in Southern parts of the country
Laddoo		Milk, flour	Laddu
Peda		Milk (khoya), sugar, saffron	Milk-based

References

The Oxford Companion to Food
Rawali Rasoi ( Rajasthan cuisine by Prem Singh Rathore)
https://books.google.com/books?id=cy13EAAAQBAJ&dq=mawa+ghevar&pg=PP15
Food of India
https://books.google.com/books?id=H5n5Tc3lb4oC&pg=PA264
Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago: On Historical Principles
https://books.google.com/books?id=_n82hsbDJBMC&pg=PA460
Curry: A Tale of Cooks And Conquerors
https://books.google.com/books?id=Sr3GUyWe3O0C&pg=PA71
The Indian Encyclopaedia
https://books.google.com/books?id=q5ZM0nZXZEkC&pg=PA1745
Frozen Desserts: The Definitive Guide to Making Ice Creams, Ices, Sorbets, Gelati, and Other Frozen Delights
https://books.google.com/books?id=GCv8bPNMTNUC
Cooking Along the Ganges: The Vegetarian Heritage of India
https://books.google.com/books?id=vZsGcS2L9r8C&pg=PA448
Encyclopedia of Jewish Food
https://books.google.com/books?id=ojc4Uker_V0C&pg=PA382
Institutional Food Management
https://books.google.com/books?id=vw987HTRB2QC&pg=PA850
Food of India
https://books.google.com/books?id=H5n5Tc3lb4oC&pg=PA260
The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/in-search-of-bandar-laddu/article4605852.ece
Microbiology and Biochemistry of Cheese and Fermented Milk
https://books.google.com/books?id=IQf3x23fy98C&pg=PA128