Popular North Indian Desserts

By
Petrina Verma Sarkar
Petrina Verma Sarkar
Food writer Petrina Verma Sarkar is a native of India with extensive knowledge of the country's regional cuisines.
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Updated on 01/4/23

These desserts may be North Indian in origin, but they're known and loved worldwide. From dumplings to rice pudding and a spiced Indian version of ice cream, these are sure to please your sweet tooth!

  • 01 of 07

    Gulab Jamun

    Gulab jamun

    PhotoAlto / Isabelle Rozenbaum / Getty Images

    This delicious dessert consists of dumplings traditionally made of thickened or reduced milk, soaked in rose-flavored sugar syrup.

  • 02 of 07

    Jalebi

    Jalebi deep fried dessert

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    Jalebis are crispy-fried and soaked in sugar syrup—and they're gorgeous!

  • 03 of 07

    Ras Malai

    Ras Malai are sweet dumplings made from cottage or ricotta cheese soaked in sweetened, thickened milk delicately flavored with cardamom. Serve it chilled and garnished with slivers of dried fruit.

  • 04 of 07

    Kheer (Rice Pudding)

    Kheer or Indian rice pudding

    subodhsathe / Getty Images

    This creamy rice pudding is delicately flavored with cardamom and full of nuts. It's a great dessert for anytime of the year!

    Continue to 5 of 7 below.
  • 05 of 07

    Shahi Tukra

    Truly a royal dessert as its name suggests, Shahi Tukra is a rich bread pudding served with dry fruits and flavored with cardamom.

  • 06 of 07

    Besan Ka Laddoo (gram flour cakes)

    Besan Laddu sweet food

    Kailash Kumar / Getty Images

    Besan Ka Laddoo is an all-time favorite and made on several special occasions and festivals. The trick to getting this sweet dessert right is in browning the besan (gram flour) perfectly.

  • 07 of 07

    Kulfi

    Kulfi

    Steven Choo / Getty Images 

    Is there an Indian version of ice cream? You bet! Try Kulfi. With it's oh-so-milky and mild cardamom flavors, it's sure to have you hooked.