By the time Maghrib arrives, the body feels the weight of the day. The first sip of water resets everything, a date follows and then comes the moment everyone waits for: the sweet course that restores energy and shifts the atmosphere from restraint to celebration. Ramadan sweets are not random indulgences; they are built around nourishment: milk for strength, nuts for sustenance, ghee for warmth, semolina for slow energy release, and dates for natural sugars. Some have travelled across regions and centuries; others reflect how iftar tables continue to evolve in Indian homes today. So, here are eight sweet picks that you can indulge in during Iftar.
8 Ramadan Sweets That Balance Nourishment & Indulgence
1. Creamy Sheer Khurma With Saffron & Roasted Nuts

Sheer Khurma anchors Eid morning in countless homes across India, its neighbouring countries, and parts of Central Asia. The base begins with full-fat milk simmered slowly until it thickens slightly. Ghee-roasted fine vermicelli goes in next, followed by chopped dates, often soaked to soften them, along with almonds, pistachios, cashews, chironji, and golden raisins. Cardamom adds warmth, and a few strands of saffron tint the milk faintly gold and release a quiet floral aroma.
The taste unfolds gradually; first comes creaminess, then the chew of dates, and finally the crunch of nuts. It feels restorative rather than flashy, and families serve it warm or slightly chilled, and many households prepare it in large vessels because neighbours and guests inevitably arrive. On Eid, serving Sheer Khurma is less about dessert and more about hospitality.
Perfect for: Anyone who values heritage-rich, creamy sweets that feel nourishing rather than aggressively sugary.
Also Read: 8 Winter Sweets With Hidden Protein Benefits
2. Golden Malpua Drenched In Thick Rabri
Malpua does not believe in moderation. The batter made of flour, semolina, milk, crushed fennel seeds, and cardamom rests before it meets hot ghee. The edges crisp immediately; the centre stays soft. Once fried, each disc slips into warm sugar syrup until it absorbs just enough sweetness without collapsing.
Then comes rabri! Milk is reduced for hours, scraped from the sides of the pan repeatedly until it thickens into layered cream. Poured over hot malpua, it creates a contrast of crisp-soft and syrupy-creamy. In North India, Ramadan evenings often feature trays of malpua alongside tea and conversation stretching late into the night.
Perfect for: Anyone who embraces bold, syrup-soaked desserts without apology.
3. Hyderabadi Double Ka Meetha

In Hyderabad’s old city, during Ramadan, the aroma of ghee and caramelising sugar drifts through night markets. Double Ka Meetha, literally referring to bread, turns everyday slices into something celebratory. Bakers fry bread in ghee until golden at the edges, soak it briefly in saffron sugar syrup, and layer it with thickened milk, khoya, and toasted dry fruits.
The top develops slight caramel notes. The centre stays pudding-soft, and while some cooks add condensed milk for extra density, others keep it lighter and milk-forward. Either way, it delivers buttery depth with subtle saffron fragrance. Its popularity owes much to Hyderabad’s Ramadan food culture, where it often appears alongside haleem and biryani after long fasting hours.
Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys caramelised, bread-based desserts with layered richness.
Also Read: 8 Date-Based Recipes That You Need To Try At Home This Ramadan
4. Baked Chocolate Gujiya With Date Filling
This version respects tradition while shifting technique. Instead of deep-frying, the pastry shells bake until lightly crisp. The filling blends finely chopped dates, cocoa powder, toasted almonds or walnuts, and a hint of cinnamon. Dates tie it back to Ramadan’s ritual of breaking the fast, and chocolate adds modern depth.
The flavour stays controlled in this dish. Natural sweetness from dates replaces heavy syrup, and cocoa lends bitterness. The crust flakes rather than shatters, and it feels contemporary but not disconnected from the season. This dessert works well for smaller gatherings where hosts want something thoughtful but not heavy.
Perfect for: Anyone who prefers structured sweetness with chocolate complexity over syrup saturation.
5. Kunafa Stuffed With Pistachio Cream
Kunafa arrives with theatre, and it has all the right to be this dramatic! Shredded phyllo pastry or fine vermicelli is mixed with melted butter, pressed into a pan, and layered with either soft cheese or pistachio cream. Once baked, it turns deeply golden and crisp. Sugar syrup infused with rose or orange blossom water seeps in while still hot.
The first bite delivers crunch while the second reveals creamy filling. Floral notes linger without overpowering, and in Indian metros, Middle Eastern bakeries see long Ramadan queues for fresh trays of kunafa, especially close to iftar time. Its structure makes it visually dramatic on the table, something guests notice instantly.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves crisp textures paired with gooey, aromatic centres.
Also Read: 15 Ramadan Menus Across India For A Memorable Iftar Feast With Your Loved Ones
6. Anjeer & Honey Basbousa
Basbousa relies on semolina for its signature grainy crumb. The batter combines semolina, yoghurt, butter, and sugar, then bakes into a golden slab scored into neat diamonds. While still warm, it absorbs honey syrup slowly, and this variation folds in chopped dried figs and crushed nuts before baking.
Figs deepen the sweetness with earthy notes, while honey keeps it fragrant rather than sharp. The texture stays moist but never soggy, and because semolina digests slowly, this dessert sustains energy well after iftar. It tastes restrained, yet unmistakably rich.
Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys nutty, moderately sweet desserts with subtle complexity.
7. Rose Milk Falooda With Kulfi Crumble

Falooda shifts the mood entirely! Cold rose-infused milk fills a tall glass, and soaked basil seeds float through it, adding texture and cooling properties. Thin vermicelli strands slide between layers of kulfi scoops, often malai or vanilla. Some add jelly cubes, while others keep it classic with nuts alone.
The flavour feels refreshing after a long, warm day of fasting. Rose provides aroma, while kulfi adds density. Basil seeds create a gentle pop between the teeth, and unlike heavier desserts, falooda restores rather than overwhelms. In many households, it appears when guests drop in for iftar, and conversations stretch into late evening.
Perfect for: Anyone who gravitates toward chilled, refreshing sweets over dense, ghee-heavy options.
Also Read: Ramadan 2026: 8 Iftar Boxes To Order In India For A Feast Of Haleem, Biryani & More
8. Salted Caramel Stuffed Dates With Dark Chocolate Drizzle
Dates hold spiritual and nutritional importance during Ramadan, as many Muslims begin iftar with them in keeping with Prophetic tradition. This version elevates the familiar! Large Medjool dates open gently and fill with salted caramel or almond butter, and melted dark chocolate drizzles across the top. A pinch of sea salt or crushed pistachio finishes the surface.
The balance works precisely: natural sweetness from the date, bitterness from dark chocolate, and sharpness from salt. It feels refined, almost minimalist, yet deeply yummy.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants a lighter, balanced sweet that still feels luxurious.
Also Read: This Holi, Order Gujiya To Your Train Seat As Swiggy Expands Food On Train Service To 152 Stations
Which of these Ramadan desserts would you like to try first?
Cover Image Courtesy: shashikantdurshettiwar/Canva Pro and samiabdullah/Pexels
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE. First Published: February 27, 2026 4:33 PMFAQs
Which sweet is most popular during Ramadan in India?
Sheer Khurma is one of the most widely prepared Ramadan and Eid desserts in Indian households.
Are Ramadan desserts very sugary?
Not necessarily. Many traditional sweets use dates, milk, nuts, and semolina for nourishment along with sweetness.
What is a lighter dessert option for Iftar?
Falooda and dark chocolate stuffed dates are lighter compared to syrup-soaked desserts.
Can I make Ramadan desserts healthier?
Yes. Baking instead of frying and using dates instead of refined sugar can make desserts healthier.
Why are dates important during Ramadan?
Dates are traditionally used to break the fast because they provide quick natural energy and hold religious significance.