Desserts and sweet treats are an important part of Indian meals. In fact, almost every Indian meal tends to end with sweets. Desserts are also an integral part of almost every major occasion, celebration, and ritual in India. Its states tend to have few signature sweets that reflect its religion, culture, and heritage, and feature a variety of unique flavors. Today you can find many of these Indian sweets in Australia as well. There are many Indian sweets you should definitely try out, including:
Jalebi: Everyone loves fried, crisp, and juicy Jalebis. To prepare this tasty treat, thick fermented batter made of refined flour is squeezed in hot ghee in the shape of pretzels. After becoming crisp and golden, they are dipped in saffron-laced sugar syrup.
Gajar Ka Halwa: Halwa is highly customizable and made with different ingredients. Among the options available, Gajar Halwa in Australia is especially popular. To prepare this dish, grated carrots tend to be simmered in a pot of milk or khoya. After that sugar, nuts, and ghee are added to the mix. This dish is best eaten in winter as that is the season for red and juicy carrots.
Gulab Jamun: Soft, spongy and warm Gulab Jamuns are irresistible. To prepare gulab jamun, small dumplings made of khoya are deep-fried golden and dunked in saffron and cardamom-induced sugar syrup.
Shrikhand: This is a sweet, creamy, and thickened yogurt dish that is flavored with spices and sometimes adorned with nuts and saffron. Shrikhand is known for its rich and indulgent taste, making it a popular choice for festive occasions and special celebrations. There are many stores selling Indian shrikhand in Australia today.
Rasgulla: Soft, spongy and light rasgullas are widely loved. Almost everyone enjoys its delightful texture and flavors.
Rabri: Rabri is a thickened, sweetened milk dessert that involves simmering milk for an extended period until it reduces to a creamy consistency. It is flavored with cardamom, saffron, and sometimes garnished with nuts.
Details on where to purchase the sweets mentioned above or the ingredients needed to prepare them can be found online.