Desi Bakes

Desi Bakes brings Indian flavors to Western-style desserts and amplifies basic decorating ideas to make showstopping sweets.

Hetal Vasavada grew up in New Jersey in a family of wonderful Gujarati home cooks who raised her on chai, cardamom-spiced shortbreads, and sweet puddings. After a cross-country move, Vasavada started to recreate the flavors of her childhood—this time in her own style—which eventually landed her a spot on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef, where she was the show’s first Hindu vegetarian contestant. Vasavada is the author of Milk and Cardamom, a successful Instagram channel (@milkandcardamom), a Blog and online pop-up bakery, and is a contributor at Bon Appétit , Food & Wine , Eater, Cherry Bombe, Food52, and more.