Hot and Sweet Indian Desserts and Drinks

Add a little kick to sweet desserts and drinks with Indian spices, like those in rice pudding and traditional mango lassi.

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Bal's Rice Pudding

Since rice is indigenous to many regions throughout India, it’s used often and in a variety of dishes. Bal Arneson adds brown rice to her cardamom-flecked pudding, so the dish’s overall texture is more risotto-like than that of soupier recipes.

Get the Recipe: Bal's Rice Pudding

Mango Lassi

A cross between a fruit smoothie and a milkshake, a lassi is easily one of the most-refreshing ways to cool off on a warm day. Bal uses prepared mango pulp to add density and sweetness to her drink.

Get the Recipe: Mango Lassi

Gulab Jamun

Yes, technically gulab jamun are doughnuts, but don’t expect them to resemble any you’ve had before. After the whipping cream-based dough is shaped and fried, each doughnut is doused with a sweet syrup made from green cardamom, cloves, star anise and sugar. Bal keeps each one on the small side, since the doughnuts will puff up once cooked.

Get the Recipe: Indian Doughnuts: Gulab Jabun

Chai Latte

Chai houses pepper many parts of India in the same way that coffee bars appear stateside. And for good reason –– chai lattes are an ideal sweet and savory excuse to caffeinate. Bal’s recipe uses loose black tea leaves, which can be strained in a tea ball or fine mesh strainer.

Get the Recipe: Chai Latte

Mango Kulfi

Bal uses vanilla frozen yogurt and an ice cream machine to slowly churn out this lighter dessert. Pistachios add the perfect amount of crunch and saltiness to each sweet bite.

Get the Recipe: Indian Ice Cream: Mango Kulfi

Coconut Carrot Cake

Move over, cream cheese frosting. Bal frosts her coconut carrot cake with spiced mascarpone, giving it a tangy, not-too-sweet taste.

Get the Recipe: Coconut Carrot Cake

Banana Cardamom Cremee Brulee

Bal puts an Indian spin on this classic French treat by infusing milk with ground cardamom, creating an elegant treat that’s dead simple to prepare.

Get the Recipe: Banana and Cardamom Creme Brulee

Almond Shake

Though native to China, star anise is a spice used throughout Asia and commonly found in Indian recipes like this nutty shake. Its flavor can be slightly bitter on its own, but lends a warmth and gently spicy quality when combined with sweet ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Almond Shake

Spiced City Cake

This three-step recipe will become a favorite of coffee cake lovers –– it’s the perfect midday pick-me-up alongside a chai latte.

Get the Recipe: Spiced City Cake

Vesan

Definition: sweet chickpea fudge. Role: becoming your new favorite dessert. Bal threads her recipe with cardamom and sprinkles pistachios on top, creating a sweet and spicy small bite.

Get the Recipe: Vesan