Not content with ruling the global culinary scene with expertly spiced curries, fragrant rice dishes and aromatic snacks, it appears Indian cuisine also holds the monopoly on sweet treats, too.

Desserts are an important part of India’s culture. The use of sugar, dairy and natural sweeteners such as dried fruit and dates, has long been employed to perfect puddings, throughout the Indian states. Sweets and desserts are routinely offered to the Hindu gods – Ganesha, the elephant-headed god is apparently fond of ladoos – whilst no celebratory occasion or festival could be considered complete without a spread of tasty treats to enjoy.

The list of Indian desserts is long. Some, such as the creamy Indian ice-cream kulfi, are familiar to our western palates whilst others, such as the fudge-like, sweet cheese known as sandesh, might seem a little unusual to serve for dessert here in the UK. Indian chefs are nothing if not inventive and when it comes to desserts, there is a host of famously options to choose from, courtesy of Veeraswamy Restaurant in London:

Kheer

This creamy pudding is typically made with either rice or vermicelli. Variations are enjoyed all over India but the usual recipe calls for hot, full-fat milk, spiced with cardamom and scattered with dried fruit and nuts.

Gajar ka halwa

This sweet, soft dessert actually counts as one of your five-a-day! Using finely grated carrot blended with rich ghee, cream, sugar, milk, cardamom and rosewater, this pudding works well whether consumed hot or cold.

Gulab jamun

India’s answer to the western donut, gulab jamun are made from khoya, a thick, rich form of curds. They are infused with cardamom, deep-fried to crispy perfection and soaked in a sticky, sugar syrup.

Mango lassi

The versatile lassi comes in a range of flavours from strawberry to salty. But nothing beats the good, old-fashioned mango version featuring the national fruit of India. Sweet, chilled, thick and creamy, this yoghurt drink is the ideal way to cool down in the sweltering summer months.

Kulfi

Try the luxurious kulfi with its rippled waves of smooth, frozen cream and taste a little bit of heaven. There are endless Indian-inspired flavours to choose from, coloured all shades of the rainbow, from mint-green pistachio to sunshine saffron. You’ll be spoiled for choice.

Malpura

An unusual dessert but a firm favourite in Indian culture, malpura are soft patties made from ricotta cheese. This sweetened cheese is drenched in cardamom-infused syrup and scattered with pistachios – the silky softness of the cheese and the crunch of the nuts is a match made in food heaven.

Shrikland

Thickened, spiced yoghurt, sweetened with sugar and milk, shrikland proves that sometimes less is more when it comes to desserts.

Barfi

These ghee-based sweets melt in the mouth like fudge and are a festival favourite in India. Look out for the extra special versions topped off with edible silver and gold.

Jalebi

A crunchy, deep-fried pretzel, soaked in sweet, sugary syrup, jalebi can be eaten hot or cold – either way they are just as addictive.

Coconut ladoo

Is there any sweet ingredient more exotic than coconut? We have yet to find it. These balls of condensed milk and grated coconut are bite-sized beauties that will leave you wanting more.