Oh I love eating different types of sweets but everyone talks about gulab jamun, kaju katli, and jalebi like they’re the only mithai that matter.
But real dessert lovers know — the mithai scene runs way deeper than the basic stuff in every wedding buffet.
So this is me your admin, putting the spotlight on the sweets that don’t get the same Insta clout but absolutely slap.
Here are 10 underrated Indian desserts that deserve their main character moment.
🌰 1. Khus Khus Halwa – The Brain-Food Baddie
Made with poppy seeds, ghee, milk, and sugar — this halwa is creamy, nutty, and lowkey therapeutic.
One bite and it’s like your grandma wrapped you in a shawl and said “you’re doing great, beta.”
Best for: 2AM existential crisis and soft winter evenings.
Texture: Gritty-smooth. Sweet, but deep.
Dope Meter: 🌙🌙🌙🌙½
🌾 2. Chana Dal Halwa – Lentils, But Make It Dessert
Dal, but not the moody kind. This sweet dish is slow-roasted with ghee and sugar until it turns into rich, caramelized goodness.
Best for: Guilt-free dessert vibes (kinda).
Mood: Protein-packed indulgence that punches you with flavor.
Dope Meter: 🧈🧈🧈🧈
🐄 3. Kharwas – The Creamy Secret From Maharashtra
Made from colostrum milk (yeah, the cow’s “first milk” — stay with me), it’s thick, smooth, and steamed to perfection. Tastes like flan’s desi cousin.
Best for: Curious eaters and pudding stans.
Texture: Silky soft, very main character energy.
Dope Meter: 🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄
👑 4. Mawa Jalebi – Jalebi’s Wealthy Aunt
This is jalebi… but on ghee steroids. Bigger, softer, creamier, and soaked in syrup like it pays rent there. Straight up indulgent.
Best for: Dessert royalty who want richness with no crunch.
Warning: Will ruin regular jalebi for you forever.
Dope Meter: 👑👑👑👑½
⚫ 5. Bal Mithai – Kumaon’s Sweet Black Sheep
Dark, sticky fudge made from khoya and coated in crunchy white sugar balls. Looks chaotic. Tastes like history and sugar had a baby.
Best for: Sticky, chewy sweet lovers.
Vibe: Retro, rustic, and rich.
Dope Meter: ⚫⚪⚫⚪⚫
🔥 6. Shufta – Kashmiri Dry Fruit Overload
This is dry fruit chaos in the best way. Almonds, dates, saffron, cardamom, sugar, ghee — all cooked into one royal mess of joy.
Best for: When you’re tired of syrup and want drama.
Bonus: Lowkey healthy (but we’re not claiming it).
Dope Meter: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🫓 7. Adirasam – South India’s Sticky Deep-Fried Hero
Made with jaggery and rice flour, deep-fried into chewy golden discs. Think sweet vadas — but sexy.
Best for: Hardcore sweet fans who love jaggery with crunch.
Texture: Firm outside, soft inside, chewy to the core.
Dope Meter: 🪔🪔🪔🪔½
🌿 8. Patoleo (Goa) – Coconut Goodness in a Leaf
Steamed rice flour + jaggery coconut filling wrapped in turmeric leaves. It smells divine and tastes even better.
Best for: Vegans, beach lovers, and coconut freaks.
Vibe: Sweet, tropical, and nostalgic.
Dope Meter: 🍃🍃🍃🍃
🍯 9. Ghewar – Rajasthani Royalty in a Syrup Soak
Crispy, spongy, and built like a damn honeycomb. Drenched in syrup and crowned with rabri, dry fruits, and occasionally edible silver. A literal queen.
Best for: People who love crunch with a creamy follow-up.
Note: Only comes out during Teej or special events — like Beyoncé, it makes you wait.
Dope Meter: 👑👑👑👑👑
🧈 10. Sutarfeni – Gujarat’s Flaky Sugar Thread
Looks like angel hair pasta but sweeter, richer, and straight-up magical. Loaded with ghee and sometimes saffron, it’s light but indulgent.
Best for: Fancy moods and flaky sweet dreams.
Texture: Delicate AF.
Dope Meter: 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️½
💭 Final Thought:
We’ve hyped the classics long enough.
It’s time to show some solid mithai love to the OGs that never made the trending page. These sweets are DOPE, underrated, and full of history, drama, and ghee. You just have to give them the stage.