While Lucknow is renowned for its delectable Biryanis and mouth-watering Kebabs, what many might not be aware of is its sweet culinary delights. The city is also famed for its lip-smacking assortment of saccharine delights that are a must-have as you visit this historic city. As you try out the most famous sweets of Lucknow, the City of Nawabs, you are bound to fulfill your sweetest dreams.
If there is one thing the City of Nawabs is renowned for is the incredible culinary culture. As far as the famous sweets are concerned, the city will not disappoint you. From innovative desserts to traditional mithais, there is no dearth of some of the most delicious versions of sweets you will ever have. Let us help you explore the sweets of Lucknow through its sweets and desserts.
What are the Most Famous Sweets of Lucknow?
Lucknow features an impressive history of sweets and desserts, dating back to the glorious Mughal Era. The royal kitchens of the heritage city were famous for their elaborate and delectable feasts, including a wide array of desserts and sweet dishes.
The world-famous Sheermal and Shahi Tukda were both created in Lucknow during the Mughal Era. As the city continued evolving, so did its culinary landscape. In the modern era, Lucknow boasts some of the most delicious and diverse sweets in the nation. Here are some options you can try:
1. Shahi Tukda
Shahi implies “royal” and “Shahi Tukda” is one royal sweet delicacy that you must try in Lucknow. The dessert is a type of rich bread pudding with its origins in the City of Nawabs in the royal kitchens of the Mughals. Shahi Tukda originated during the Mughal Era when Indian chefs in Lucknow prepared this delicacy to present to the royal courts of the Emperor.
For the preparation, white bread is fried in ghee or oil after which sugar and milk are added. The dish is deliciously flavoured with the help of cardamom, saffron, and cloves. The mouth-watering dessert continues living up to the legacy as it is a highly sought-after sweet for special occasions and festivals like Ramadan.
2. Sheermal
Sheermal or Shirmal is another scrumptious sweet delicacy that is highly renowned across Lucknow. You can order this delicacy from leading age-old sweet shops or eateries that serve this must-have sweet recipe. It is a delicious, saffron-flavoured traditional type of flatbread famous in the Indian subcontinent.
The sweet dish was introduced to India by the Mughal Emperors during their rule in the country. It became a famous delicacy of Lucknow and other royal cities like Hyderabad and Aurangabad. The dish is also an integral part of the traditional Awadhi cuisine in some parts of the nation. The sweet dish is a type of mildly-flavoured Naan or Indian flatbread prepared out of maida. The maida dough is leavened with yeast and eventually baked in a classic tandoor setting.
3. Nawabi Zafrani Kheer
Living up to its royal name, Nawabi Zafrani Kheer is a traditional Kheer recipe, hailing from the times of the emperors. The Nawabi touch to this traditional Kheer recipe imparts a royal vibe and a divine flavour to the famous sweet dish of Lucknow.
The delicious rice pudding or kheer is prepared by using strands of saffron, cardamom, and cloves while being topped with a sheet of edible silver. To enhance the overall feel and flavours, the dish is also garnished with the richness of cashew nuts tossed in desi ghee and almond silvers. This traditional festive delight in Lucknow is a must-try for true food connoisseurs.
4. Makhan Malai
Here is a famous winter delight that you must try when you are visiting Lucknow during the chill of the season. The thick, creamy dessert is prepared by churning dew-exposed milk to form a frothy, rich butter. Finally, the rich butter is transformed into a delicate concoction to serve you well.
This creamy yet lightweight sweet delicacy is flavoured with saffron and cardamom to make it even more refreshing and divine. Do not give calories a thought for some time as you continue enjoying an ethereal plate of Makhan Malai at some of the best sweet shops or eateries of Lucknow.
5. Lucknow ki Revdi
While Lucknow is famed for a wide array of delicacies that are quite royal and rich, this sweet delicacy is something for the health-conscious individuals who favour a low-calorie diet. Lucknow ki Revdi is available as candy-sized sheets or discs prepared with the richness and goodness of roasted sesame seeds, ghee, and sugar or jaggery.
These hardened yet delicious sweet discs are especially delightful during the winter season. You can readily order yourself a packet of Lucknow ki Revdi from a famous sweet shop in the city. To enhance your overall experience, some sweet shops also offer delightful flavours of this sweet dish, including Gulab Revdi, Saffron Revdi, and so more.
6. Kali Gajar ka Halwa
Surprised by the name itself? While you might have enjoyed a healthy, flavourful plate of hot Gajar ka Halwa that is orange in colour during your winters, this form of Halwa is next-level. It is a popular seasonal delicacy during the winter season in Lucknow. As the name of the dessert suggests, this recipe is prepared with the help of Black Carrots.
The regional variation of Kali Gajar ka Halwa is a richer shade of purple, appearing almost black. The dish is not only appealing to the taste buds but also appears quite heavenly right from the first glance. If you are visiting Lucknow during winters, you must give this sweet delicacy a try. There are several old sweet shops and eateries selling this sweet dish to enhance your overall culinary experience.
Conclusion
Make the most of your trip to the City of Nawabs by trying out the delicious, mouth-watering sweets or local mithais. You can now order online in Lucknow from Swiggy to get doorstep delivery, right at your home.
