Best Indian

Desserts

to Make With Kids on Children’s Day

Quick Summary

Sharing a sweet treat is a great way to spend quality time together, teach children new skills, and give them a sense of authority in the kitchen. Safe, easy, and packed with flavour, these dishes are perfect for Children’s Day. Here are some of the best Indian desserts to pass down through the generations.

Deep Dive   

Indian desserts are an integral part of Indian hospitality, celebration, and history. A delightful way to celebrate Children's Day is by transforming the kitchen into a space for cultural and culinary exploration. Being in the kitchen with others helps kids develop skills in measuring, rolling, and basic arithmetic, along with the joy that comes from sharing something they've cooked.

Here are some dessert ideas ranging from traditional ladoos to colourful shrikhand; all tasty, easy, and safe to make. Little chefs and their busy parents will love these delicacies, regardless of their cooking skills.

Nariyal Barfi

Combine the desiccated coconut with condensed milk, bring to a gentle simmer, and call your kids to shape the mixture into balls. You can adjust the consistency to your liking by adding extra condensed milk or coconut if it's too dry. Then, place the balls in the fridge for 30 minutes. Since nariyal barfi doesn't require cooking, it's suitable even for the youngest participants.

Kalakand

Kalakand, also known as Indian milk cake, is surprisingly easy to make. Add crumbled paneer to condensed milk along with a pinch of cardamom. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. Once done, spread it onto a baking sheet and cut into squares. Crumbling the paneer is a fun and satisfying activity for kids, and they can also press nuts into the mixture before it sets. The original recipe calls for khoya, but with the paneer variation, even kids who prefer milder sweetness will enjoy it.

Besan Ladoo 

Besan Ladoo is an ingredient-rich sweet that's well worth the effort. The secret to its flavour lies in roasting the besan in ghee until it turns brown and nutty. After adding powdered sugar and cardamom, roll the mixture into balls. The task of shaping flawless spheres is sure to delight children. For added texture, try mixing in chopped cashews, raisins, or crushed pistachios.

Kheer 

Kheer is a timeless favourite, known for its gentle simmering and delightful aroma. Basmati rice should be cooked in a large saucepan with plenty of milk until it becomes translucent and soft. Then, add sugar and a pinch of cardamom. The children can decorate the kheer with rose petals, edible foil (varq), or a colourful pattern of chopped pistachios and almonds after it has cooled.

Shrikhand Pots 

Though it's more of a dessert than a mithai, it's definitely a fun and interactive recipe to make. Let kids combine the thickened yoghurt with powdered sugar, cardamom, and saffron after it's been strained through muslin overnight. Spoon the mixture into small clay jugs or cups and garnish with pomegranate seeds and chopped nuts. Among Indian desserts, this one stands out for its rich flavour without being too heavy.

Chocolate Barfi

Rich, multi-layered, and unexpectedly simple — this is like fudge from India. Mix the milk powder, ghee, and sugar until a doughy mixture forms. Spoon half of it over the base and top with cocoa powder. Once set, cut into squares and let the children decorate them with sprinkles or silver foil. This decadent dessert takes less than twenty minutes to put together.

The Sweetest Lesson of All

Take a break from store-bought sweets and make a homemade treat with your kids this Children's Day. Let the flour fall, the ghee drip, and the aroma of cardamom and happiness fill the kitchen. You can bet that the treats you make together will taste like love and tradition. So, put on your aprons, turn up some Bollywood music, and get ready for some sugar-fueled mayhem.