A royal dessert that won India’s heart: How Mysore Pak evolved over the years

Mysore Pak's journey began in the opulent kitchens of the Mysore royal family.

Written by: Swarupa Tripathy

4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Feb 18, 2025 06:43 PM IST

Mysore Pak is a testament to the extraordinary flavour and the impact of Karnataka's culinary traditions (Source: Freepik)

Mysore Pak is one of India’s most beloved sweet dishes, popular for its rich texture and decadent flavour. This iconic dessert has deep roots in Karnataka’s royal kitchens, and today, it has transcended its royal origins and become a household treat, enjoyed during festivals and special occasions across India. But how did this simple combination of ingredients gain such cultural significance?

From royal delicacy to household sweet

Alok Singh, expert on food history and science at Diga Organics, tells indianexpress.com, “Mysore Pak was first created in the early 20th century by Kakasura Madappa, a royal cook in the Mysore Palace kitchen, during the reign of Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. As the story goes, Madappa experimented with gram flour, ghee, and sugar, creating a rich, melt-in-the-mouth sweet that delighted the Maharaja. When asked for its name, he called it ‘Mysore Pak’ — with ‘pak’ referring to a sugar syrup-based preparation in Kannada cuisine.”

“Over time, the sweet transitioned from a palace-exclusive treat to a beloved household dessert. Local sweet shops began replicating the recipe, making it more accessible to the public,” notes head chef and restaurant consultant Tarveen Kaur. She mentions its popularity surged as it became a staple in South Indian festivities, weddings, and celebrations. Karnataka’s deep-rooted culinary culture, which values both simplicity and richness in flavours, played a significant role in ensuring that Mysore Pak remained a cherished sweet across generations.

“Mysore Pak gained prominence and started to be served regularly at festivals, weddings, and other special events. Its connection to the cultural legacy of Karnataka cemented its place in the hearts of the populace,” says Kanikka Malhotra, a consultant dietician and diabetes educator. The sweet’s versatility was also a major factor in its ongoing popularity. To accommodate varying tastes and preferences, variations and adaptations of the original recipe arose, guaranteeing that Mysore Pak would continue to be pleasurable and relevant for many generations to come.

Gram flour or besan is the main component responsible for the unique texture of Mysore Pak (Source: Freepik)

The magic of ingredients

Chef Tarveen informs that mysore pak relies on three key ingredients — gram flour, ghee, and sugar — each playing a crucial role in its distinct taste and texture.

– Gram flour provides the nutty, roasted flavor and gives the sweet its structure.

– Ghee enhances the richness, ensuring a melt-in-the-mouth experience.

– Sugar binds everything together and contributes to the sweet’s slightly porous yet firm consistency.

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The balance between these ingredients is key to achieving the perfect Mysore Pak. “The cooking technique — slow roasting the gram flour and controlling the temperature while adding ghee — determines whether the texture is crumbly or soft, leading to variations like the traditional firm Mysore Pak or the ghee-rich, softer version,” says Chef Tarveen.

The secret to lasting popularity

Mysore Pak’s iconic status stems from its rich heritage, distinctive taste, and deep cultural significance, Singh believes. “Originating in the Mysore Palace, its royal legacy adds nostalgia and prestige, making it a beloved sweet in Karnataka. Its rich ghee-infused texture and perfectly balanced flavours set it apart, while the contrast between its simple ingredients and the skill required to master it elevates it as a mark of culinary expertise.”

Also in this series:

How pav bhaji came to represent Mumbai’s colourful street food culture

This iconic tea-time snack represents Hyderabad’s rich history

Chhena Poda: This traditional sweet dish from Odisha is a significant part the region’s culinary heritage

Swarupa Tripathy

Swarupa is a Senior Sub Editor for the lifestyle desk at The Indian Express. With professional experience spanning newsrooms in both India and the UK, she brings an authoritative and global perspective to her reporting, focusing on human-centric stories that inform and inspire readers with valuable, well-researched insights. Experience and Career Swarupa’s career reflects a balance of strong editorial instincts and solid academic grounding. She holds a Master's degree in Media Management with Distinction from the University of Glasgow, a foundation that sharpened her editorial instincts and commitment to a digital-first approach. Before joining The Indian Express, she gained valuable feature writing experience at Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd (The Times Group) in India. She later broadened her scope in the UK, working at Connect Publishing Group in Glasgow, where she covered stories concerning South Asian communities, managed cross-platform publishing, and reported from live events. Her current role as Senior Sub Editor at The Indian Express leverages this diverse, multi-national experience. Expertise and Focus Areas Swarupa’s work focuses on issues that influence daily life, with every story rooted in careful research and data: Health & Wellness: Covers topics across fitness, nutrition, and psychology, empowering readers with evidence-based information. Societal Dynamics: Reports on relationships, generational shifts (especially Gen Z), and the unseen factors influencing mental health and employee well-being (e.g., washroom anxiety). Art & Culture: Focuses on the realms of Indian and global art, culture, and social movements. Approach: Specialises in data-driven storytelling, SEO-led content creation, and leveraging a strong foundation in digital journalism to ensure maximum audience understanding and reach. Swarupa's profile adheres strictly to E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Her Master's degree with Distinction from the University of Glasgow and her tenure in international newsrooms (India and the UK) establish her as an exceptionally authoritative editorial voice. Her practical expertise in digital journalism, coupled with a focus on delivering well-researched and empowering content, ensures that her readers receive highly trustworthy, verified information across complex lifestyle beats. Find all stories by Swarupa Tripathy here. ... Read More

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