Gujarati cuisine is renowned for its rich variety of sweets. The traditional sweets of Gujarat offer a unique blend of flavours and textures that are perfect for any occasion.
The melt-in-your-mouth creamy Gujarati desserts and crunchy sweets are a testament to the state's culinary heritage.
Here's a list of the sweets of Gujaratthat you must try.
Kansar
Made primarily from wheat flour and jaggery, this Gujarati sweet offers a wholesome and nutritious option. The top layer, consisting of ghee and sugar, adds a rich and sweet flavour, making it a favourite among both young and old. Making involves careful attention to detail, ensuring it reaches the perfect texture and sweetness, making it a delightful treat for festive occasions. is a traditional Gujarati sweet dish with special significance in wedding ceremonies. It's not just a dessert but a symbol of good health and prosperity.
Shrikhand
Shrikhand is a beloved sweet dish in Gujarat and Maharashtra, often served during festivals and celebrations. It's made by straining yoghurt to remove the whey, resulting in a thick and creamy base. This strained yoghurt is then mixed with sugar, cardamom, saffron, and a variety of nuts like pistachios and almonds, adding texture and flavour. The blend of spices and nuts gives Shrikhand its unique taste, which pairs beautifully with hot puris or can be enjoyed as a refreshing dessert.
Gur Papdi
Gur Papdi is one of the traditional sweets of Gujarat that is simple yet satisfying. It is a sweet dish that is a staple in Gujarati households. It is made from wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery. It's rolled out into thin sheets and cut into bite-sized pieces. This sweet treat is delicious and provides a quick energy source, making it ideal as a snack or dessert. The combination of wheat flour and jaggery gives Gur Papdi a rich and earthy flavour, making it a favourite among all age groups.
Ghari
Ghari is special in Gujarati cuisine, especially during the Chandani Padva festival. This Gujarati traditional sweet is a round sweet filled with various flavours, such as pistachio, almond, cardamom, and saffron. The outer shell is made from flour, ghee, and sugar, giving it a crunchy texture. The filling is then added, and the Ghari is baked to perfection. The result is a rich and indulgent sweet bursting with flavours and aromas, making it a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Doodhpaak
Doodhpaak is a popular Gujarati sweet loved for its creamy texture and rich flavour. It is made by simmering rice in milk until it becomes thick and creamy. Saffron and nuts are added to enhance the flavour and texture of the dish. Doodhpaak is often served as a dessert after meals or during special occasions. It is a comforting and satisfying dish that will surely please your taste buds.
Mohanthal
Among the sweets of Gujarat, Mohanthal is both common and special. It is made during festivals and special occasions. It is made from gram flour (besan), ghee, sugar, and milk and flavoured with cardamom, rose water, pistachios, and almonds. The mixture is cooked until it reaches a thick consistency and then poured into a greased pan to set. Once set, it is cut into squares and served as a delicious sweet treat. Mohanthal has a rich, nutty flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that will impress.
Shakarpara
This Gujarati traditional sweet is made during festivals like Diwali. It is made from a simple dough of flour, sugar, and ghee, which is rolled out, cut into small pieces, and deep-fried until crispy. The fried pieces are then coated in a sugar syrup, giving them a sweet and crunchy coating. Shakarpara is a delicious and addictive snack that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Sutarfeni
It is one of the sweets of Gujarat that is famous outside the state, too. Sutarfeni is a traditional sweet dish that is made from shredded rice flour that is roasted in ghee and then sweetened with sugar to form a sweet, cotton candy-like texture. It is often garnished with chopped pistachios and almonds, adding a crunchy texture and nutty flavour. Sutarfeni is a unique and delightful sweet that will surely please your taste buds.
Koprapak
It is a great Gujarati sweet for coconut lovers. Koprapak is packed with the goodness of coconut, milk, khoya, sugar, and ghee. This dessert is all about rich flavours and creamy textures, making it a perfect sweet indulgence. Whether you're ending a meal or celebrating a special occasion, Koprapak will surely bring a smile to your face and satisfy your sweet cravings.
Faada Lapsi
You might have heard of the savoury delicacy Faada. It is one of the Gujarati desserts. Fafda Lapsi is made from broken wheat and flavoured with cardamom. It is often made during festivals and special occasions and is known for its delicious taste and comforting texture. Faada Lapsi is a simple yet satisfying dessert that will surely please your taste buds.
Basundi
Rich, creamy and too hard to resist. This sweet dish is made from milk that has been boiled until it is reduced to half its original volume. It is flavoured with almonds, pistachios, and saffron, which give it a deliciously nutty and aromatic flavour. It is one of the sweets of Gujarat that can be served hot or cold and is often enjoyed as a dessert after meals or during special occasions. It is a decadent and indulgent treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ladoo Churma
Ladoo Churma is one of the popular Gujarati desserts. It is made from wheat flour, semolina, almonds, pistachios, ghee, warm milk, jaggery, cardamom, nutmeg, and khus-khus. It is a delicious and satisfying dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Ladoo Churma is often served as a dessert after meals or during festivals and is loved by people of all ages.
Ghughra
This Gujarati traditional sweet is a crispy, golden pastry shell with a luscious filling of sweetened coconut and a medley of dry fruits. Each bite is a delicious mix of sweetness, making it the perfect accompaniment to a steaming cup of chai. It is often made during festivals like Holi and is enjoyed as a tea-time snack.
Malpua
Malpua is a sweet dish made during festivals and special occasions in Gujarat. It is made from maida and semolina, mixed with milk to form a batter. The batter is then fried until it is golden brown and crispy. Malpua is often served with kheer, a type of sweetened milk, making it a delicious and indulgent dessert.
Moong Dal Sheera
It is a famous Gujarati traditional sweet. It is made from moong dal, saffron, ghee, milk, sugar, and cardamom. It is garnished with almonds, pistachios, and saffron strands, which add a rich and indulgent flavour to the dish. Moong Dal Sheera is often served as a dessert after meals or during special occasions and is loved for its creamy texture and delicious taste.
Biranj
Biranj is a delicious sweet dish from Gujarat that is made from vermicelli, milk, saffron, cardamom, and sugar. It is a rich, creamy dessert that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Biranj is often served as a dessert after meals or during special occasions and is loved for its delicious taste and creamy texture.
Coconut Halwa
Coconut Halwa is a perfect choice whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something sweet. Each bite is a delightful combination of sweetness and nuttiness, making it a favourite among both young and old. It is one of the Gujarati desserts that everyone loves.
Puran Poli
Puran Poli is like a warm, sweet hug on a plate. It is one of the popular sweets of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. It's essentially a sweet stuffed flatbread made with a filling of jaggery, milk, coconut, ghee, nutmeg powder, and cardamom powder. This blend of ingredients creates a rich, aromatic flavour that's hard to resist. This traditional treat is a staple during festivals and special occasions.
The sweets of Gujarat are a reflection of the state's rich culinary heritage. Each one offers a unique combination of flavours and will leave you craving more. So, the next time you visit, don't forget to indulge in the traditional sweets of Gujarat.
