Published By: Jayati

Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth: 7 Gujarati sweets you gotta try if you haven't already!

Try swapping cheesecake for doodhpak once, and you'll thank us later! 

Gujarat is famous for its delicious food, including a variety of snacks and sweets. Gujarati sweets are known for their unique flavours, which can impress any food lover! If you're interested in trying some special sweet treats from Gujarat, you're in luck. These desserts aren't just delicious; they're nutritious too! Get ready to enjoy seven delightful Gujarati sweets that are sure to make you smile!

Doodhpak 

This sweet dish is like a creamy pudding filled with milk, almonds, and saffron threads. It's made from boiled rice and has a flavor and aroma that can really wow your taste buds. And here's the best part: unlike traditional Indian kheer, Gujarati doodh pak is served chilled, with a topping of chopped almonds, pistachios, and a sprinkle of silver.

Basundi 

Gujarat is famous for its mouthwatering desserts, especially those made with nutritious vegetarian ingredients and milk. One of our absolute favourites is basundi – it's this thick, creamy goodness made from condensed milk. And let us tell you, it's got just the right mix of sweet and nutty flavours, thanks to the cardamom and all those yummy dried fruits tossed in. It's kind of like Rabri, but a bit different. After a meal, treating yourself to a bowl of basundi is like giving yourself a little healthy indulgence. And the best part is that you can find it in various flavours, like custard apple and grapes, so there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Amarkhand 

Amarkhand, also known as mango shrikhand, is a luscious creamy dessert that originated in the western Indian state of Gujarat, and it's especially popular during the summer season. It's made with hung curd (strained yogurt) and ripe mangoes, preferably the Alphonso variety for its incredible flavor. The best part? It's super easy and quick to whip up, especially if you have ready-made hung curd on hand! Fresh, ripe mangoes bring their natural sweetness and indulgent taste to the dish, adding richness without any need for artificial additives. To enhance the flavour even more, you can add crushed green cardamom seeds and saffron, and adjust the sweetness to your liking. While fresh mangoes are the ideal choice, you can also use canned mangoes or mango pulp. Just remember, the type of mango you use will affect the consistency – Alphonso mangoes tend to make the dessert thicker and richer.

Kaju Katli 

Kaju Katli, another popular Gujarati sweet made from cashews, is well-known for its delicious taste and flavor. The magic starts with grinding cashew nuts into a smooth paste, then cooking them with sugar and ghee until they're just right. And let's not forget the finishing touch—that sugar-coated silver foil adds a touch of elegance that makes it feel extra special. It's the kind of treat you'll find at festivals, holidays, and family gatherings, where it's a symbol of love and hospitality shared with those closest to you.

Surati Ghari 

Surati Ghari is a delicious white sweet delicacy from Surat, made with fresh dough, milk, ghee, sugar, and a hint of rosewater. It's enriched with dates and shaped into a circular form, resembling a ladoo. Surati Ghari comes in various flavours, including kesar, pista, almonds, and mawa.

Mohanthal 

With rich flavors of besan, khoya, and cardamom, mohanthal is another absolutely delicious Gujarati sweet that is often prepared for various auspicious occasions and festivals like Diwali. If you feel like we're using 'delicious' too much, it's because we can't help it—all the sweets are just that good! Mohanthals are square-shaped barfis made of gram flour, milk, and nuts, giving an enticing flavour to this Gujarati sweet recipe that is simply irresistible!

Magaj 

Magaj is like the king of desserts in Gujarat—it's super sweet, rich, and nutty. Similar to besan burfi, this fudge is made by cooking chickpea flour in ghee until it's golden brown, then flavored with cardamom, sweetened with sugar, and topped with nuts. Making it requires a bit of skill, especially ensuring the gram flour is perfectly roasted in ghee for a flawless base, but the end result is definitely worth the effort! Once cooled, it's cut into diamond shapes and enjoyed during celebrations and festivals. 

Isn't it just incredible to see every corner of our country brimming with such richness and diversity, not just in desserts but in all kinds of dishes? Even if you're not from Gujarat, these sweets are an absolute must-try! You've got to share them with your friends and family too – trust us, once you've tasted Gujarati sweets, you'll all become fans for life!