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8 traditional Mughlai desserts that one should try in a lifetime

etimes.in | Last updated on - Feb 16, 2026, 12:41 IST
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1/9

Have you tried these Mughlai desserts?


When it comes to Mughlai dishes we often think about kebabs and curries, but little did we know that the Mughals left us not just with aromatic spicy treats, but something for the sweet tooth as well. more than one can imagine. The royal kitchens used a lot of kesar, rosewater, and kewra, which resulted in an array of desserts that are a must try. These desserts are not just sweets; they are experiences layered with ghee, nuts, cardamom, and slow-cooked patience. Here we have listed 8 traditional Mughlai desserts that one can't resist.

2/9

Sheer Khurma


It is a part of Mughlai cuisine and is celebrated on special occasions and festivals like Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is made with vermicelli, roasted nuts, milk, and ghee.

3/9

Mithi Seviyan



As the name suggests, it's a sweet dish made with roasted seviyan, which also uses khoya, condensed milk, dry fruits, and cardamom powder.

4/9

Qubani ka Meetha


It is a dessert dish made with khubani, or apricot, and is a popular dish in Hyderabadi cuisine. It is believed that this dessert was also very popular in the Mughal era.

5/9

Badam Phirni


It is a rich and flavorful dish made with broken rice, milk, sugar, almonds, and saffron. It is believed that in the Mughal era, dried rose petals were also added to this chilled dish, which was also called Gulab Phirni.

6/9

Malpua


It is believed that this rich, flavorful, pancake-like dish is also connected to the Mughal era. It is said that during the Mughal reign, eggs and mawa, or khoya were added to the dish.

7/9

Khajoor ka Halwa


This sweet dish made with dates, or khajoor, also belongs to the Mughal era and is rich in nutrients.

8/9

Shahi Tukda


It translates to 'Royal Piece' in English and it is believed that a host of Mughal cooks used up some pieces of bread, slathered them with a nutty, fragrant rabri and called it Shahi Tukda. This dish also has a Hyderabadi cousin called Double Ka Meetha.

9/9

Kesar Kulfi


The word kulfi comes from the Persian word 'Qulfi' and translates to ‘a covered cup'. It is said that the dessert was most likely invented in the Mughal Empire during the 16th century and is made with thickened milk, saffron, sugar, and pistachios.


Images Courtesy: istock

Top Comment
S
Sukumar Roy
98 days ago
The very first photograph shows what appears to be slices of sandwich bread. There's no other explanation.Are you suggesting that the famed Mughals, the culture of whom was known for being the epitome of Indian culture in more ways than one, also indulged in sandwich bread???
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Copyright © May 26, 2026, 02.20PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service