Here, we will discuss most common types of sweets in detail.
Sweets are a core part of celebrations, festivals, and everyday happiness for millions of people. Whether you are shopping traditional sweets for Diwali, a wedding, or simply treating yourself, understanding what’s available helps you make the right choice.
Traditional Indian confectionery offers a vast array of choices, ranging from soft milk-based delicacies to crunchy, nut-filled treats. These sweets usually fall into categories based on their primary ingredients, such as dairy, nuts, or various flours.
Understanding these common types of sweets helps you choose the right flavor profile for your palate, whether you prefer the richness of pure ghee or the subtle sweetness of fresh milk.
Let’s get into more details.
7 Common Types of Sweets
There are 7 primary sweet categories you’ll find in markets today. Each one offers different taste experiences, textures, and ingredients. Understanding these varieties makes shopping easier and helps you buy sweets online for any occasion.
1) Milk-based Sweets
Milk-based sweets are the most common variety found in India, often prepared by reducing milk into solids or curdling it to create fresh cheese.
Gulab Jamun remains a top choice, consisting of deep-fried milk-solid balls soaked in aromatic sugar syrup.
Another favorite is Rasgulla, which features soft, spongy balls of chhena (cottage cheese) cooked in light syrup.
If you enjoy a creamier texture, Rasmalai offers these same cheese patties served in thickened, spiced milk.
For those who prefer a denser fudge-like consistency, Peda and Barfi are staple options made from condensed milk or khoya.
2) Nut-Based Sweets
Nut-based sweets are often considered premium options due to their rich ingredients and longer shelf life. Most common ingredients are cashews, almonds, peanuts, or other nuts for their main structure.
Kaju Katli is the most recognizable in this category, made from a smooth paste of cashews and sugar, typically cut into diamond shapes. You might also find variations like Anjeer Halwa or Dry Fruit Bites that use figs and assorted nuts for a more textured experience.
These are popular for gifting during festivals because they do not require immediate refrigeration like fresh milk sweets.
3) Flour-based Sweets
Flour-based sweets provide a different sensory experience, ranging from the crumbly texture of Ladoo to the syrupy crunch of Jalebi. These types of sweets mainly made from gram flour, maida, semolina, or rice flour.
Besan Ladoo, made from roasted gram flour and ghee, is a classic choice for family gatherings.
Soan Papdi is made from rice flour and maida combined with jaggery and ghee, creating thin, flaky layers that practically melt on your tongue.
In Western India, Mohanthal stands out as a traditional Gujarati fudge made from gram flour, ghee, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom.
If you are looking for something with a unique shape, Jalebi offers fermented batter deep-fried into spirals and soaked in syrup for a crispy yet juicy bite.
4) Baked Sweets
Baked sweets include cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, pies, tarts, pastries, cheesecakes, and sizzling brownies. These sweets are made by mixing ingredients and baking them in an oven until golden.
Cakes are the most popular baked sweet, ranging from simple vanilla to elaborate chocolate or fruit variations.
Cookies offer a quick, bite-sized treat that stays fresh for days.
Brownies deliver that rich, fudgy texture people crave.
Muffins are perfect for breakfast or snacking, often filled with blueberries, chocolate chips, or nuts.
Pastries and tarts feature flaky crusts with sweet fillings, while cheesecakes provide a creamy, indulgent option that’s slightly less sweet than other baked goods.
5) Fried Sweets: The Golden Classics
Fried sweets are traditional favorites that remain popular across generations.
Jalebi stands out as the most recognized fried sweet. These bright spirals are made by piping fermented batter into hot oil, then soaking them in sugar syrup. They’re crispy on the outside and syrupy inside, creating that signature texture everyone loves.
Gulab Jamun is the second most popular fried sweet. These soft, golden balls are made from khoya or milk powder, fried until crispy, then soaked in fragrant sugar syrup with cardamom and rose water.
Donuts offer a Western option within this category, featuring a light, airy texture.
Malpua is another traditional choice, made from flour batter and served with rabri (thickened milk), creating a perfect sweet pairing.
Amriti rounds out this group, offering a unique flavor profile that varies by region.
6) Frozen Desserts
Frozen desserts include ice cream, gelato, sorbet, sherbet, kulfi, milkshakes, and granitas.
Ice cream remains the most popular frozen sweet choice worldwide.
Gelato offers a denser, creamier option that melts slowly on your tongue.
Sorbet provides a dairy-free alternative, made from fruit juice and sugar, perfect for those avoiding milk products.
Kulfi is the traditional Indian frozen dessert, made by slowly boiling milk until reduced, then freezing it in cone-shaped molds. Unlike ice cream, kulfi isn’t churned, so it has a denser texture and slower melting rate.
Milkshakes combine milk with ice cream and flavorings for a drinkable sweet experience.
Granitas are partially frozen desserts with a smooth, icy texture.
7) Puddings and Custards
Puddings and custards offer smooth, creamy textures that melt in your mouth.
Kheer is a rice pudding made by cooking rice in milk with sugar, then topping it with nuts and dry fruits.
Phirni is similar but made from ground rice, creating an even smoother consistency.
Rabri is thickened milk reduced on low heat for hours, resulting in a dense, rich dessert.
Shrikhand is a yogurt-based sweet from Maharashtra, flavored with saffron, cardamom, and nuts.
Custards are egg-based creams cooked until thick, serving as a base for many desserts.
Mousse is an airy, whipped cream-based dessert that’s light yet indulgent.
Gelatin desserts provide a jiggly, sweet treat that appeals to both kids and adults.
8) Fruit and Vegetable-Based Sweets
Fruit and vegetable-based sweets use fresh produce as their main ingredient.
Gajar Ka Halwa (carrot halwa) is made by grating carrots and cooking them slowly with milk, ghee, and sugar until thick.
Lauki Halwa uses bottle gourd in a similar preparation.
Amras is made from mango pulp mixed with sugar, creating a fruity dessert that’s popular during mango season.
Fruit Salad combines fresh fruits with a light syrup. Fruit Custard mixes fresh fruits with custard cream.
Cobblers layer fruit with sweet biscuit topping, creating a baked fruit dessert.
These options are lighter than other sweets and appeal to health-conscious people.
Where to Buy Sweets Online?
If you are looking for the best online sweet store for fresh and quality products, you can always trust Radhe PremNiMithaas.
At Radhe Prem Ni Mithaas, we bring these diverse flavors to your home with over 100 varieties of sweets prepared fresh every day.
Whether you look for sugarless sweets for diabetic family members or premium packed sweets for festival gifts, we use 75 years of expertise to ensure quality.
Our products, like the signature Radhe Penda, are crafted using pure ghee and fresh milk to maintain the authentic taste you expect.
Conclusion
Now that you know the main sweet types and what makes them different, you can make informed choices. Visit your local sweet shop or online stores and explore varieties you haven’t tasted before. Start with one from each category to discover your preferences.
When selecting sweets for an occasion, consider who will eat them and their taste preferences. Some people prefer traditional flavors while others enjoy modern variations.
Your next celebration, gift moment, or simple treat just got a lot more interesting.
