List of Lucknow’s Famous Sweets (Mithai) and Desserts
Lucknow, the City of Nawabs, is famous for its historical monuments, rich heritage, clothes, foods, and delectable sweets (mithai). Here
are some of Lucknow’s most popular sweets you should try:
Rewdi/Revdi: This is perhaps the most well-known sweet from Lucknow. It’s made with til (sesame seeds), sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). The til are roasted and then coated in a sugar syrup, resulting in a crunchy and sweet treat.
Gajak: Similar to Revdi, Gajak is another popular winter sweet made with peanuts or til, jaggery, and ghee. It has a chikki-like texture and is quite delightful.
Malai Gilouri: This melt-in-your-mouth sweet is made with layers of khoa and cream. It’s often garnished with saffron and chopped pistachios for an extra touch of flavor.
Nimish: A sweet cream-pudding made from whipped milk, double-cream, sugar, and saffron. It is often served with pistachios, and silver leaf on top.
Kulfi Falooda: A popular dessert made with kulfi (Indian ice cream), falooda (vermicelli noodles), and rose syrup. It is often topped with nuts and dried fruits.
Shahi Tukra: This decadent dish is made by deep-frying bread slices, soaking them in a rich milk based sugar syrup flavored with rosewater and cardamom, and then garnishing them with nuts and rabri(condensed milk).
Makhan Malai: This is a special wintertime treat in Lucknow. It’s essentially a milk cream-based frothy dessert with a light and airy texture, very similar to whipped cream. Flavored with saffron and cardamom, and topped with chopped nuts for an extra bit of flavor and crunch.
Shakkarpara: This diamond-shaped sweet is made with flour, sugar, and ghee. It’s a popular tea-time snack.
Warqi Shahi: This rich and decadent sweet is made with flaky filo pastry, khoya (a milk fudge), nuts, and cardamom. It’s then dipped in silver foil, giving it a truly royal look.
Janewar: This flaky pastry is stuffed with a sweet and nutty filling made with khoya, nuts, and sugar. It’s a perfect tea-time snack.
Nawabi Jafrani Phirni: This luxurious rice pudding is flavored with saffron, cardamom, and nuts. It has a creamy texture and a delicate flavor.
Ras Malai: A sweet dish made with chenna dumplings (cottage cheese curds) soaked in a creamy milk sauce. It is often topped with nuts and pistachios.
These are just a few of the many delicious sweets that Lucknow has to offer. So next time you’re in the city, be sure to try some of these local favorites!
