While Jaisalmer is renowned for its desert landscapes and ancient fort, few are privy to its exquisite culinary treasures, particularly its delectable array of sweets and savories. Surprisingly, this arid city stands as the epitome of sweetness within Rajasthan, surpassing even the famed sweet offerings of Jodhpur.
What sets Jaisalmer apart? The answer lies in its ability to not only offer the beloved confections of Jodhpur but also introduce travelers to an exclusive realm of original Jaisalmer sweets—a delightful secret known to few. So there’s no better city in Rajasthan than Jaisalmer to satisfy your sweet cravings.
So this blog post is a guide to Jaisalmer’s famous sweets and the best places in the city to savor these delights.
1. Ghotua Ladoo – Jaisalmer’s Most Famous Sweet!
In the heart of Jaisalmer’s culinary delights, the iconic ‘Ghotua Ladoo’ reigns supreme, adorning the bustling markets with its distinctive allure.
Crafted from bundi, skillfully hand-crushed on a robust stone slab, and then meticulously shaped by artisans, the Ghotua Ladoo stands out for its unmatched softness, surpassing other ladoo varieties composed of similar ingredients. It holds the esteemed position of being the top choice among the locals, a testament to its delectable charm.
For an authentic encounter with this culinary treasure, seek out Dhanraj Ranmal Bhatia Sweets, a revered establishment crafting this treat since 1939. Today, their 11th generation proudly tends to the legacy, ensuring an unbroken tradition of culinary excellence.
2. Bhang Cookies & Bhang Lassi
Amidst the tales of Jaisalmer, one might come across the term ‘Bhang,’ an allusion to Cannabis or Opium, offering a unique facet of this desert city.
In Jaisalmer, this intriguing substance is legally available at authorized government outlets, such as Bhang sweet cookies and lassi. Interestingly, prior to 1947, opium found its place in Jaisalmer’s kitchens as a commonplace ingredient. However, post-independence, regulations restricted its sale and purchase.
Today, while the traditional use has been curtailed, visitors to Jaisalmer can still partake in this experience through the guise of lassi and cookies, a historical echo of the city’s past.
3. Pure Ghee Ghevar
While Rajasthan’s Ghevar enjoys global acclaim, the rendition found in Jaisalmer, particularly crafted with pure ghee, is a taste sensation worth seeking. The key is to ensure you opt for the authentic ghee-prepared version.
At the esteemed Club Mahindra Resort, culinary artisans employ an iron round mould to submerge a robust flour batter into a sumptuous bath of sugar syrup. Infused with delicate hints of cardamom powder and saffron, this confection is crowned with a generous layer of mava, adorned with a colorful array of dried fruits.
Though crafting this delicacy at home proves challenging, savoring its exquisite flavors in the heart of Jaisalmer is refreshingly uncomplicated.
4. Kesar cow dudh by Naveen Vyas
Just a stone’s throw away from the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort lies Mr. Naveen Vyas, a proud torchbearer of a three-generation legacy, dedicated to the art of crafting sweet kesar milk. Adorned with lavish servings of meva malai and a generous sprinkling of exquisite dry fruits, this offering transcends mere sweetness.
Crafted from cow’s milk, and delicately heated over wood to achieve the perfect infusion, the malai top layer elevates this concoction to a perfect 10 on the taste scale. While not a traditional sweet dish per se, this delectable creation certainly earns its rightful place among Jaisalmer’s illustrious array of famed sweets.
5. Rajasthani Churma
No list of sweets would be complete with Rajasthani Churma.
Churma, an iconic sweet from the heart of Rajasthan, embodies tradition. Prepared by cooking wheat flour batter dough over cow dung, followed by meticulous hand-crushing and a blend of aromatic cardamom, ghee, and boiled crushed sugar (bura).
In the realm of desserts, Rajasthan Churma reigns supreme, enchanting taste buds across the land. The very best of this delicacy awaits you at Club Mahindra Jaisalmer or any local dhaba in Jaisalmer renowned for its authentic Dal Baati Churma.
6. Mave ki kachori
Mava ki Kochri is another popular sweet dish, mostly available in the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer region.
At this location, a standard wheat flour kachori is deep-fried, generously filled with a mixture of Mava (Khoya), sugar, and cardamom, and select shops even enhance it with chopped almonds and pistachios.
The best Mava Kachori in Jaisalmer is one which is prepared in Pure Ghee and you can try it out at Dhanraj Ranmal Bhatia Sweets.
7. Makhaniya Lassi at Kanchan Shree Ice-cream
Beat the heat of Jaisalmer at Kanchan Shree Ice Cream.
These artisans craft delightful homemade kulfi and ice cream, but the true gem is their lassi. The lassi boasts a creamy texture, akin to srikhand, though with a more subtle sweetness. After the Punjab lassis, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer lassi are worth trying.
8. Mirchi Kheer
Ever wondered about transforming a humble capsicum into a sweet kheer? Well, in the vibrant city of Jaisalmer, this culinary wonder unfolds. Embark on a taste adventure with Shimla mirch (capsicum) kheer – a unique delight exclusive to this charming desert locale.
You can try this dish at Club Mahindra Jaisalmer as its preparation is impossible at home.
According to the skilled chef, the art begins with finely chopping the capsicum, followed by a delicate blanching process using ice. This meticulous technique preserves the vibrant color of the capsicum when introduced to the steaming, boiled milk.
And this is the 3rd sweet dish that you will only find in Jaisalmer.
9. Jalebi
“As the sun sets over the ancient streets of Jaisalmer, the city comes alive with the tantalizing aroma of Jalebi, a beloved sweet snack. Particularly abundant near the fort’s temples, where devout locals procure it as prasad, this treat is an intrinsic part of the evening culture.
What sets Jaisalmer’s Jalebi apart is its delectable form—a departure from the slender spirals of Delhi or Mumbai. Here, it’s a luscious, sugary reservoir of warmth, each bite an exclamation of delight.
For the quintessential Jalebi experience in Jaisalmer, venture to the vicinity of the Jain temple within the Golden Fort—a place where this sweet temptation reaches its pinnacle of flavor.”
And if you want to explore Jaisalmer Golden Fort and the sand dunes of Sam then check out local tour packages for Jaisalmer from Chetrum Voyages.
10. Jaisalmeri Halwa
The Gulab Halwa in Pali, near Jodhpur is a culinary delight that remains unparalleled across India. However, if there’s a contender for its throne, it resides in the charming city of Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer proudly boasts a gamut of traditional halwa, each an epitome of flavor and expertise, found in renowned sweet shops scattered across the city. From the rich Moong Dal Halwa to the hearty Atta Halwa, the soul-satisfying Besan Halwa to the indulgent Sujji Halwa, every variant beckons a delightful rendezvous.
One aspect that truly stands out is the generosity in incorporating ghee, leaving no room for skimping on richness and taste. As the winter chill sets in, the Gajar ka Halwa takes center stage in Jaisalmer, especially within the bustling Gopa Chowk Market.
Yet, beyond the famed 10 sweets of Jaisalmer, there’s a clandestine entry at number 11—a dessert waiting to surprise and enchant discerning taste buds.
11. Bengali Sweets in Jaisalmer
This list isn’t complete without mentioning Bengali sweets. Don’t forget to indulge in the delightful symphony of Cham Cham, Rasmalai, Pantua, and the luscious Badam Halwa, enhancing your Jaisalmer experience with each blissful bite.
What truly epitomizes Jaisalmer’s sweetness scene is the absence of corporate giants; here, it’s all about cherished family enterprises.
In this city, where the culinary charm blossoms during its vibrant 6-month tourism season, the emphasis on top-notch quality in their sweet offerings remains paramount.
For an authentic taste of Bengali confections amidst the golden sands, venture to revered establishments like Shree Jee Sweets, Dhanraj Ranmal Bhatia Sweets, and Chandan Shree Restaurant.
Delve deeper into the tapestry of Rajasthan by exploring our comprehensive guide on must-do experiences in Rajasthan. Uncover the essence of this vibrant state and embark on an enriching journey through its cultural and historical wonders.
