How to Make Classic Indian Sweets and Baked Goods at Home

Indian cuisine is renowned for its diverse range of flavors and textures, especially when it comes to sweets and baked goods. Traditional Indian sweets, known as 'mithai', are often made for festivals and special occasions. If you want to explore the sweet side of Indian culinary delights, here’s a guide on how to make classic Indian sweets and baked goods at home.

1. Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is a beloved Indian dessert made from khoya (reduced milk) and flavored with cardamom. Here’s a simple way to make it:

  • Ingredients: 1 cup khoya, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ tsp baking soda, sugar, water, and cardamom.
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix khoya, flour, and baking soda to form a dough.
    2. Divide the mixture into small balls.
    3. Heat ghee in a pan and fry the balls until golden brown.
    4. Boil sugar and water with cardamom to make a syrup.
    5. Soak the fried balls in the syrup for at least an hour.

2. Barfi

Barfi is a rich and sweet dessert often made with milk and sugar. There are various types, but the most popular is Kaju Barfi made with cashews.

  • Ingredients: 1 cup cashew nuts, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup water, and cardamom powder.
  • Instructions:
    1. Grind cashew nuts into a fine powder.
    2. In a pan, heat sugar and water until it reaches a single thread consistency.
    3. Add the cashew powder and cardamom, then mix thoroughly.
    4. Spread the mixture on a greased plate and let it set. Cut into pieces to serve.

3. Chole Bhature

This dish combines spicy chickpeas (chole) with deep-fried bread (bhature), making it a favorite for brunch or lunch.

  • Ingredients: 1 cup chickpeas, 2 cups flour, yogurt, spices, and oil.
  • Instructions:
    1. Soak the chickpeas overnight, then boil until soft.
    2. Prepare a dough with flour, yogurt, and a dash of salt, allowing it to rest.
    3. Cook the chickpeas with spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
    4. Roll out the dough and fry in hot oil until golden brown.

4. Rava Kesari

A delicious semolina pudding flavored with saffron and nuts, Rava Kesari is a delightful treat that can be made quickly.

  • Ingredients: 1 cup semolina, 1 cup sugar, 2 cups water, ghee, saffron, and nuts.
  • Instructions:
    1. Heat ghee in a pan, add semolina, and roast until golden.
    2. In a separate pot, boil water and add saffron.
    3. Slowly pour the water into the roasted semolina, stirring to avoid lumps.
    4. Add sugar and nuts, cooking until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.

5. Coconut Ladoo

Coconut Ladoo is a quick and easy sweet made with desiccated coconut and condensed milk.

  • Ingredients: 2 cups desiccated coconut, 1 can of condensed milk, and cardamom.
  • Instructions:
    1. Mix desiccated coconut, condensed milk, and cardamom in a pan.
    2. Cook on low heat, stirring until it thickens.
    3. Form small balls from the mixture and roll in more coconut.