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Pakistani desserts Clear all

17 recipes

A plate of golden-orange jalebi spirals glistening with saffron syrup and topped with chopped pistachiosPakistani

Jalebi

Crisp, golden spirals of fermented batter soaked in warm saffron-cardamom syrup. Plan on a few hours of batter resting, then about half an hour of frying and dipping.

3 h 55 minServes 6
Glossy golden almond halwa in a brass dish garnished with pistachios, flaked almonds and saffronPakistani

Badam Halwa

A rich, glossy almond halwa made from freshly ground blanched almonds, milk, ghee and saffron. It suits Eid tables, dinner parties and winter evenings.

1 hServes 6
Square pieces of creamy kalakand topped with sliced pistachios on a white platePakistani

Kalakand

Soft, slightly grainy milk cake made from fresh homemade chenna and condensed milk, scented with cardamom and topped with pistachios. A simple mithai for Eid, weddings or a sweet craving.

1 hServes 12
Golden besan ladoos topped with pistachio slivers on a brass platePakistani

Besan Ladoo

Round gram flour sweets made by slowly roasting besan in ghee until nutty and golden, then shaping with sugar and cardamom. A classic for Eid, weddings and tea-time gifting.

40 minServes 12
Glass bowl of custard trifle with layers of sponge, fruit, red jelly and custard under whipped cream and nutsPakistani

Custard Trifle

A chilled dessert of vanilla sponge, fruit, set jelly, thick homemade custard and whipped cream. It's a favourite for Eid tables, dawat dinners and birthdays, and you make it ahead.

50 minServes 8
Glass bowl of Lab-e-Shireen with custard, red jelly cubes, mixed fruit, pistachios and pomegranate seedsPakistani

Lab-e-Shireen

A chilled Pakistani dessert of vanilla custard, cream, soft vermicelli, red jelly cubes and fresh fruit, finished with almonds and pistachios. It suits Eid tables and dinner parties.

55 minServes 8
Tall glasses of pink falooda layered with vermicelli, basil seeds and jelly, topped with ice cream and nutsPakistani

Falooda

A tall, chilled rose-milk dessert drink layered with vermicelli, basil seeds, jelly and ice cream. Serve it at iftar parties, summer gatherings or whenever a cold treat is wanted.

35 minServes 4
Sliced malai kulfi topped with pistachios and saffron on a copper platePakistani

Malai Kulfi

Dense, creamy frozen dessert made by slowly reducing milk with cardamom, pistachios and almonds. It needs no ice cream machine and sets in simple moulds.

1 h 15 minServes 6
Golden fried bread triangles topped with thick saffron milk and sliced pistachios in a white dishPakistani

Shahi Tukray

Golden fried bread slices soaked in saffron-cardamom syrup and topped with thickened sweet rabri-style milk and pistachios. A rich dessert for Eid, dawats and weddings.

1 h 15 minServes 8
Terracotta bowls of chilled firni topped with pistachios, almonds and saffronPakistani

Firni

A silky, chilled milk pudding thickened with coarsely ground basmati rice and scented with cardamom and kewra. It sets softly in small bowls and suits Eid tables and dinner parties.

1 h 40 minServes 6
A serving dish of golden zarda sweet rice topped with sliced pistachios, almonds and raisinsPakistani

Zarda

Zarda is a golden sweet rice scented with cardamom and kewra, layered with sugar, ghee, nuts and raisins, then steamed on dum. A festive dessert for weddings, Eid and special dinners.

1 h 20 minServes 6
Bowl of sheer khurma with vermicelli, dates and sliced nuts, garnished with pistachios and saffronPakistani

Sheer Khurma

A rich Eid-morning milk dessert of toasted vermicelli, dates and nuts, simmered in reduced milk with cardamom and saffron. Serve it warm or chilled.

55 minServes 6
Bowl of golden gulab jamun in cardamom syrup topped with sliced pistachiosPakistani

Gulab Jamun

Soft, golden milk-powder dumplings fried gently and soaked in cardamom-rose sugar syrup. A classic sweet for Eid, weddings and dinner parties, made with pantry ingredients.

1 hServes 8
Soft white rasmalai discs in saffron milk topped with sliced pistachios in a white dishPakistani

Rasmalai

Soft, spongy discs of fresh milk cheese simmered in light syrup, then soaked in chilled saffron-cardamom milk. A showpiece dessert for Eid and dawats that is made a day ahead.

1 h 30 minServes 6
Golden semolina halwa garnished with almonds and pistachios in a small brass panPakistani

Suji ka Halwa

A soft, glossy semolina halwa roasted in ghee and set with sugar syrup, cardamom and nuts. Quick enough for a weekday sweet craving, and a staple of Pakistani celebrations and Friday mornings.

35 minServes 6
Overhead view of chawal ki kheerPakistani

Chawal ki Kheer

Rice simmered slowly in milk with cardamom until creamy, finished with pistachios and almonds. Serve chilled in clay bowls.

1 hServes 6
Overhead view of gajar ka halwaPakistani

Gajar ka Halwa

Grated red carrots cooked slowly in milk, then fried in ghee with sugar and cardamom. Winter in a bowl.

1 h 15 minServes 6