Punjab is a culinary heaven in Northern India. It boasts a rich gastronomic heritage. Punjab is renowned for its delicious and mouth-watering flavours and dishes. Punjabi cuisine possesses a blend of bold spices, ample butter, and a touch of sweetness, reflecting its warm culture. It is a paradise for food enthusiasts. From buttery Makki Di Roti with Sarson Da Saag to juicy Tandoori Chicken, the food is a burst of tastes and aromatics. It offers delightful desserts like creamy Phirni, crispy Jalebi, Pinni, Kheer, and beyond. Listed below are the must-try top 20 traditional sweet dishes and desserts of Punjab.
1.Phirni
Phirni is a delicious dessert from Punjab. The process involves mixing ground rice and milk to prepare it. After mixing, one can use nuts and saffron for garnishing. This sweet treat has a creamy and velvety texture. People serve it cold in clay pots. Phirni is a mix of old customs, traditions, and yummy flavours. It gives the authentic taste of Punjabi food culture.
2.Aata Pinni
Aata Pinni is a sweet and nutritious treat made from flour, also known as Aata in Hindi, and jaggery or sugar. The process of cooking is simple. Roast flour in ghee until it turns golden brown. Mix it with jaggery or sugar to create a dense and flavourful mixture. Use dry fruits and cardamom for an extra taste. Then shape the mixture into small round or square pieces. People enjoy Aata Pinni as a delightful dessert or snack. It provides energy and a touch of sweetness.
3.Kada Parshad
Kada Parshad is a sweet and sacred food. It is prepared and served in Gurdwaras. It is a special dish made from whole wheat flour, sugar, and ghee. They cook it with devotion. It is distributed to all visitors, regardless of their background or beliefs. It acts as a symbol of unity, equality, and sharing in the Sikh community. It is a way of fostering a sense of community and humility among people.
4.Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar Ka Halwa is a sweet and creamy dessert. It has an easy cooking process. Grated carrots are cooked in milk until soft and flavourful. Sugar, cardamom, and nuts are added to enhance its taste. The mixture becomes thick and rich as it simmers. It creates a delicious treat often enjoyed during special occasions or festivals. It is like a comforting, warm carrot pudding that is both sweet and satisfying.
5.Panjiri
Panjiri is a traditional Punjabi sweet dish made from whole wheat flour, sugar, and ghee. It is embraced with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. The preparation method involves roasting the wheat flour in ghee until it turns golden brown. People prepare it for special occasions and festivals. Panjiri is known for being energy-rich and nutritious.
6.Kalakand
Kalakand is another delightful Indian sweet treat. It is a soft and crumbly dessert made from milk and sugar. Boil the milk until it becomes thick and solidifies. Then sugar is added to sweeten the dessert. Toppings like cardamom enhance the taste. Kalakand has a creamy and melt-in-mouth texture. People relish Kalakand as the perfect dessert during celebrations.
7.Channa Barfi
Chana Barfi is a sweet dish made with chickpea flour, sugar, and ghee. We must cook it and mix it until it forms a fudgy and smooth consistency. Sometimes, people top it with cardamom and often garnish with nuts. Chana Barfi is a popular dessert that is rich and nutty in taste.
8.Gud Para
Gud Para is a sweet and crispy snack in Indian cuisine. It is made from wheat flour and jaggery and sometimes includes spices like cardamom. The dough is cut into small diamond or square shapes and deep-fried until golden brown. Then enjoy it as a delicious treat.
9.Kaddu Ka Halwa
Kaddu Ka Halwa is a dessert made from Pumpkin (Kaddu), sugar, and ghee. The pumpkin is grated or mashed, then cooked with ghee and sugar until it becomes soft. The flavours and aromatics blend with each other. It is usually garnished with nuts and sometimes topped with cardamom or saffron. This sweet dish has a unique, comforting taste and a smooth texture.
10.Balushai
Balushai is a sweet dessert that is quite popular. It is made from deep-fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup, which makes them soft and sweet. The dough is usually made from flour, ghee, and yogurt, giving it a rich and crunchy texture. People enjoy Balushai during festivals and special occasions.
11.Patisa
Patisa is like Soan Papdi. It is a delicate and flaky Indian sweet made from gram flour (Besan), sugar, and ghee. The ingredients are mixed and cooked. Then it is stretched into thin layers before being cut into bite-sized pieces. Garnish with cardamom and nuts. Patisa has a melt-in-your-mouth quality and a sweet, aromatic flavour.
12.Badam Kheer
Badam Kheer is a luscious Indian dessert. It is prepared with milk, rice, and almonds. Rice is cooked in milk until it becomes tender. The blended almonds add richness and flavour. Badam Kheer is delightful and a nutty twist on classic rice pudding. It is perfect for indulging in sweet cravings.
13.Kala Jamun
Kala Jamun is a sweet Indian dessert. It is like Gulab Jamun but darker in colour and richer in taste. It is made from milk solids. Further, it is fried and then soaked in sugar syrup for sweetness. It is a chewy, soft, and indulgent treat.
14.Anjeer Barfi
Anjeer Barfi is a sweet treat made from figs (Anjeer), milk, sugar, and ghee. It is a chewy and delicious dessert with a rich and nutty flavour. Cook the figs with milk and sugar, then shape them into squares. During celebrations, people enjoy Anjeer Barfi a lot. It offers a delightful blend of sweetness and texture.
15.Kulfi
Kulfi is a delicious frozen treat with a creamy texture. It is like an ice cream but way denser and more intense in flavour. It is made from milk, sugar, and sometimes nuts or fruit. Kulfi is frozen in moulds, creating a delightful, chewy, and satisfying dessert.
16.Chana Dal Halwa
Chana dal halwa is a delicious dessert. The ingredients used for cooking are roasted split chickpeas (chana dal), ghee, and sugar. It is cooked to a golden, gooey consistency. It is flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. It is a sweet and indulgent treat enjoyed by everyone.
17.Roh Di Kheer
Roh Di Kheer is a popular traditional Punjabi dessert. It is made by cooking rice in milk until it is soft and thick, then flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. It has a heavenly taste and aromatics. The sweet rice pudding is enjoyed on special occasions.
18.Meethi Lassi
Meethi Lassi is a sweet and creamy Indian drink. The process of making Lassi includes blending yogurt and sugar. Then it must be flavoured with some cardamom or saffron. The result is a refreshing beverage with a hint of sweetness. It is perfect for cooling off on a hot day or enjoying it as a treat.
19.Meetha Pooda
Meetha Pooda is a delightful North Indian pancake dessert. It is crafted from a batter of flour, sugar, and milk, then cooked until golden. One can use saffron and cardamom for flavouring. It offers a sweet taste. It is a satisfying and comfortable dessert for occasions.
20.Boondi Laddoo
Boondi laddoo is a sweet treat. It is made from round-fried gram flour droplets. It is coated in syrup and formed into bite-sized balls. It’s crunchy and sugary. People love eating it because it offers a lot of sweetness in every bite.
