By Jheelum Basu
January 15, 2026
Bengali pithe (also spelled pitha) recipes are an integral part of Bengali culinary culture. Made during the harvest festival of Poush Parbon, these treats strike a perfect balance of sweet taste and subtle flavours. Here’s a list of five Bengali pithe recipes to try at home during winter.
Patishapta is a beloved Bengali-style pithe recipe rooted in Bengal’s winter harvest festivals. Cherished for their subtle sweetness and delicate texture, these coconut-jaggery-filled crepes perfectly capture Bengalis’ love for pithe.
This traditional Bengali pithe recipe features crescent rice dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery, simmered in sweetened, thickened milk. Garnished with pistachios, they are served warm or cold.
Gokul Pithe is a delicious sweet with deep-fried khoya and coconut-jaggery dumplings soaked in thick sugar syrup. After frying, the rice-flour-coated balls are immediately immersed in warm syrup to absorb its sweetness.
Bhapa Pithe is a traditional, oil-free steamed rice cake made from freshly ground flour. Filled with grated coconut and date palm jaggery, this winter delicacy suits almost everyone.
Chitoi Pithe or Shora Pithe is a spongy, rustic-flavoured pancake steamed in an earthenware mould (shora). Made from rice and water, it is typically served with a drizzle of date palm jaggery (nolen gur).