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Shop Little Guyana > Blog > Recipes > Snacks > How to Make Guyanese Soft Mithai
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How to Make Guyanese Soft Mithai

Tom Rose
Last updated: November 4, 2024 12:26 am
By Tom Rose
5 Comments
7 Min Read
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If you’ve never had mithai before, where have you been hiding?! Guyanese soft mithai is one of those snacks that shows up at every family gathering, wedding, or random Saturday because, let’s be real—it’s addictively good. Imagine soft, sweet fried dough, coated with a sugary syrup that leaves a glossy finish, perfect for munching on while you catch up with tantie about the latest bacchanal.

Contents
The Indian Roots of MithaiIndian Mithai vs. Guyanese MithaiGuyanese Soft Mithai RecipeLeave a Comment!

The Indian Roots of Mithai

Did you know that mithai has deep roots in Indian cuisine? In fact, the word “mithai” itself comes from the Hindi language, meaning “sweet.” Originating from India, mithai is an umbrella term for a wide variety of traditional Indian sweets made with ingredients like flour, sugar, milk, and ghee. From laddoo to gulab jamun, jalebi to barfi, Indian mithai is as diverse as the regions they come from.

Guyanese Soft Mithai
Guyanese Soft Mithai

When Indians migrated to Guyana in the 19th century, they brought with them their rich food culture, which blended beautifully with local flavors. That’s how Guyanese mithai was born—keeping the essence of Indian sweets but adding our own unique twist to it. While Indian mithai is often served during festivals like Diwali and weddings, in Guyana, it has become a year-round treat, showing up at every celebration.

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Fun fact

In India, sweets like mithai are often given as gifts during religious festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Raksha Bandhan, symbolizing love, happiness, and celebration. Similarly, in Guyana, soft mithai is a must at special events like weddings and family gatherings.

Indian Mithai vs. Guyanese Mithai

What’s the difference between the two? Indian mithai is typically softer and sweeter, with more variety, like pedha or kaju katli, which are made with dairy, nuts, and spices. On the other hand, Guyanese soft mithai keeps things simple with a dough made of flour and milk, then fried and coated in sugar syrup. Both are delicious, but if you’ve grown up in Guyana, you know there’s something special about our version—especially when it’s fresh out the fryer!

For a truly authentic experience, try pairing your Guyanese soft mithai with a cup of Indian chai tea. The blend of spices in the tea complements the sweetness of the mithai, making it the ultimate snack-time combo.

Ready to make your own? Let’s dive into the easiest, most satisfying mithai recipe that’ll make your whole house smell like de bess Guyanese bakery.

Guyanese Soft Mithai

Guyanese Soft Mithai Recipe

Guyanese soft mithai is a traditional fried dough treat, coated in a sweet sugar syrup, with flavors inspired by Indian cuisine. Perfect for family gatherings, religious festivals, or just when you’re craving a nostalgic snack.
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Resting Time (for syrup to set) 15 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Guyanese
Servings 20 Pieces
Calories 138 kcal

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Large mixing bowl
Rolling pin (belna)
Rolling pin (belna)
Sharp knife or dough cutter
Sharp knife or dough cutter
Large pot for frying
Large pot for frying
Slotted spoon (for removing fried mithai)
Slotted spoon (for removing fried mithai)
Saucepan (for syrup)
Saucepan (for syrup)
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
Wire rack (optional, for cooling)
Wire rack (optional, for cooling)

Ingredients
  

For the dough:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup milk powder
  • ¼ tsp ground cardamom elaichi
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup butter room temperature
  • ¼ cup evaporated milk or as needed to make a soft dough

For the syrup:

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp grated ginger optional

For frying:

  • Oil enough to deep fry
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

Make the Dough

  • In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, milk powder, cardamom, and baking powder.
  • Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and use your fingers to rub it in until the mixture becomes crumbly.
  • Gradually add the evaporated milk and mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix.

Roll and Cut

  • Divide the dough into two balls. Roll each ball out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
  • Cut the dough into strips, then into diamonds or rectangles.

Fry Time

  • Heat oil in a large pot for deep frying.
  • Fry the dough pieces in batches until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Each batch takes about 2–3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Make the Syrup

  • In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vanilla, and ginger. Heat on medium until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens—about 5–7 minutes.

Coat the Mithai

  • Pour the syrup over the fried mithai and gently toss to coat each piece. Let them rest for 10–15 minutes for the syrup to set.

Notes

Serve with a hot cup of tea or Milo for the perfect snack!
The nutritional values provided in this recipe are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes. Each recipe includes estimated cook time and serving sizes for your convenience. Actual values may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used, portion sizes, and individual cooking methods. This information is not intended to provide medical or nutritional advice, and we recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare professional or nutritionist for specific dietary needs.

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 164IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword mithai
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Guyanese cuisine, especially its sweets, is a true reflection of our multicultural heritage. The Indian influence brought by our ancestors has shaped so much of what we eat today. From dhal puri to gulgula, these Indian-inspired snacks are now part of the Guyanese food landscape.

And, hey, if you’re into exploring different food cultures, why not try your hand at making Indian mithai too? You’ll find that many of the ingredients are the same, and it’s fun to see how food evolves from one culture to another.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes! And don’t forget to share it with your family—you know they’re gonna ask for it!

Guyanese Soft Mithai
Guyanese Soft Mithai

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5 Comments 5 Comments
  • Kol3ktor :) says:
    December 24, 2024 at 11:04 pm

    Świetny artykuł, dzięki za info. Temat ciekawy i świetnie pozwalający rozwijać wyobraźnie.

    Reply
  • XMC.PL says:
    December 24, 2024 at 9:07 pm

    To, co najbardziej mi imponuje w Twoim wpisie, to umiejętność łączenia teorii z praktyką. Przykłady z życia, które zostały wplecione, sprawiły, że każdy punkt stał się bardziej zrozumiały i bliski czytelnikowi.

    Reply
  • Junk man says:
    October 27, 2024 at 2:30 pm

    4 stars
    My family loved this!

    Reply
  • PabloTar says:
    October 24, 2024 at 10:03 am

    Make nutrition a priority; your body will thank you!
    Invest in your health, reap the rewards!
    Maximize your workouts with perfect supplements!
    Support your efforts with smart supplementation!
    Supplements: your allies in health and wellness!

    vtkqj3vk4tuqjhwejhqw – shoplittleguyana.com
    https://Intothstern.info

    Reply
  • Tom Rose says:
    October 2, 2024 at 12:41 am

    5 stars
    test

    Reply
4.50 from 2 votes

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