• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Yummy Delights

  • Recipes Index
  • Curry Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes Index
  • Curry Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes Index
    • Curry Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Indian Sweets and Desserts

    How to make boora or tagar at home

    Last Updated On: Oct 9, 2025 by Preeti Nayak · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Learn how to make Boora (also called Tagar) at home in just 30 minutes with only 2 simple ingredients - sugar and ghee (clarified butter).

    close-up of boora or tagar placed in a glass bowl. Another bowl full of sugar is kept on the side.

    What is boora or tagar?

    Boora (tagar) is a porous, slightly granular sugar used in many Indian sweets, such as Besan ladoo, besan burfi, and peda. It is made by cooking sugar with a little water until it thickens.

    While cooling, it is stirred continuously to form dry, slightly grainy crystals. A little ghee is added to keep the sugar lump-free, giving smooth, perfect boora for sweets. Love Indian sweets? You may also like our peanut ladoo with jaggery, rava ladoo, and nevri.

    This Boora Recipe Is Quick & Easy!

    Have you ever wondered why we love Halwai's ladoos or mithai so much? It is because they use Boora (Tagar) sugar instead of regular powdered sugar, which gives sweets that perfect texture and taste.

    In North India, Boora is in high demand during festivals, but here in South India, it is not easy to find. That is why I make it at home whenever I need it.

    And guess what? You only need 2 simple ingredients and 30 minutes to make it. It is a no-fail recipe, and I promise once you try it, your Diwali sweets will taste even better than store-bought ones.

    - Preeti Nayak

    image of preeti nayak

    Quick Look: Boora (Tagar) Recipe

    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Servings: 1 and ¼ cup
    • Calories: ~792 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
    • Cook Method: boil sugar → add ghee → cook to crystallise → switch off heat and stir.
    • Difficulty: Easy

    SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS RECIPE ON

    CHAT GPT GOOGLE AI PERPLEXITY GROK

    Disclaimer: AI summaries may contain errors. Please check the original Boora recipe for accurate steps.

    Jump to:
    • What is boora or tagar?
    • This Boora Recipe Is Quick & Easy!
    • Quick Look: Boora (Tagar) Recipe
    • How to make the boora recipe
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Other Indian Sweet Recipes to Try!
    • Recipe Card

    How to make the boora recipe

    collage of 2 images showing cooking sugar and water to make boora recipe.

    Step 1: Take a heavy-bottom pan, add sugar and a little water (image 1), and boil on high heat until the sugar dissolves (image 2). Stir occasionally.

    addition of ghee to make boora

    Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium and cook the sugar syrup until it thickens. Mix in ½ teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter) to prevent lumps and add aroma (image 3).

    collage of 2 images showing drop test for Boora recipe. One image shows hot sugar syrup being dropped into a bowl of water, and the other shows crystallized sugar forming, indicating the syrup is ready.

    Step 3: Do the drop test - Take a small bowl of water and drop a little syrup into it (image 4). Pick that sugar syrup from water, and it forms a small ball or crystal and doesn’t dissolve easily; it is ready (image 5). If not, cook for 2 more minutes and check again. Remove from heat once the syrup passes the drop test.

    Collage of 3 images showing the process of stirring sugar syrup after removing from heat to make boora (tagar) at home.

    Step 4: Stir continuously until the syrup thickens completely and dries into grainy sugar (images 6, 7 & 8). Break any lumps with the back of a ladle. Scrape the sides to avoid sticking.

    If any lumps remain, transfer them to a mixer and grind to a fine powder.

    Recipe Tips

    1. If there are any impurities in the sugar syrup, add 1 teaspoon of milk to it. The impurities will stick to the milk, and you can easily remove them using a small tea strainer or spoon.
    2. Keep stirring the mixture after switching off the flame. This helps prevent lump formation in the tagar.
    3. If you find any lumps in the mixture, put it in a mixer grinder and grind it into a fine powder.
    4. Store it in an airtight container and use it within 15 days.
    5. If you are using boora to make besan ladoo or atta ladoo, sift it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining large granules. This will help you get soft, melt-in-the-mouth ladoos.
    collage of 3 images showing how to sieve Boora before using it for making ladoos. Sieving, and collecting fine Boora sugar.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is boora or tagar the same?

    There is a small difference in the texture. Bura is finer in texture than Tagar.

    What is the use of Boora or Tagar?

    Boora is used in making Indian sweets or mithai. The ladoo made with boora is more delicious than the ladoo made with powdered sugar. Try making this delicious Besan Ladoo with boora.
    You can use it to make any Indian sweet like ladoo, peda, burfi, etc. Simply replace the powdered sugar with bura or tagar in the recipe.

    What makes boora sugar unique?

    Boora (Tagar) sugar is special because it gives Indian sweets a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture and a delicious taste that powdered sugar can't match. It is made by boiling sugar with a little water until it forms dry, porous crystals, perfect for festive sweets like ladoo and peda.

    Boora in a bowl with another bowl of plain sugar placed beside it.

    Other Indian Sweet Recipes to Try!

    • Maharashtrian Rava Ladoo placed on a white bowl on a brown counter top.
      Maharashtrian Rava Ladoo (Pakatale Rava Ladoo)
    • besan ladoo served in a black plate. Garnished with pistachios.
      Danedar Besan Ladoo Recipe
    • nevri served in a thali.
      Nevri Recipe (Goan Neureo)
    • instant mawa or khoya served on a plate.
      Instant Mawa (Khoya) Recipe - Ready in 5 minutes

    If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below! We'd love to hear your feedback. And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I'm on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

    Recipe Card

    boora recipe

    How to make boora or tagar

    Learn how to make Boora (also called Tagar) at home in just 30 minutes with only 2 simple ingredients - sugar and ghee (clarified butter). Step by step recipe with photos and a quick video tutorial included.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 ¼ Cup
    Calories: 792kcal
    Author: Preeti Nayak

    Equipment

    • 1 Heavy bottom Kadhai or Wok

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup sugar
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ teaspoon ghee/clarified butter

    Instructions

    • Take a heavy-bottom pan, add sugar and a little water, and boil on high heat until the sugar dissolves. Stir occasionally. Optional step: Add 1 teaspoon milk to remove impurities from sugar syrup. They will float on top and can be skimmed off easily with a ladle.
      1 cup sugar, ¼ cup water
    • Now reduce the heat to medium and cook the sugar syrup until it thickens. Add ½ teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter) to prevent lumps and add aroma.
      ½ teaspoon ghee/clarified butter
    • Now take a drop test - Take a small bowl of water and drop a little sugar syrup into it. Pick that sugar syrup from water, and if it forms a small ball or crystal and doesn’t dissolve easily, it is ready. If not, cook for 2 more minutes and check the sugar syrup again. Remove from heat once the sugar syrup passes the drop test.
    • Stir continuously until the syrup thickens completely and dries into grainy sugar. Break any lumps with the back of a ladle. Scrape the sides to avoid sticking.
      If any lumps remain, transfer them to a mixer and grind to a fine powder.
    • Tagar is ready now. Let it come to room temperature, store it in an airtight container, and use it within 15 days.

    Video

    Notes

    1. If the sugar has impurities, add 1 teaspoon of milk. The impurities will stick to the milk and can be removed with a strainer.
    2. Keep stirring after switching off the flame to avoid lumps.
    3. If lumps form, grind the mixture in a mixer jar into a fine powder.
    4. Store in an airtight container for up to 15 days.
    5. Before using boora for besan or atta ladoo, sift it for a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 792kcal | Carbohydrates: 199g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 4mg | Sugar: 200g | Calcium: 4mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @theyummydelights or tag #theyummydelights!

    More Indian Sweets and Desserts

    • close-up image of oreo cake.
      Chocolate Oreo Cake
    • Peanut ladoos placed on a white plate on a brown counter top.
      Peanut Ladoo Recipe With Jaggery
    • close-up of ghevar placed on a black colored plate.
      Ghevar Recipe (How to make crispy Ghevar)
    • close-up of 5 patoli served on turmeric leaves.
      Patoli recipe (Konkani Patoleo recipe)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Share your thoughts Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Shanaya

      June 28, 2022 at 10:51 pm

      5 stars
      Wow. I will definitely try it.

      Reply
      • Preeti

        June 29, 2022 at 6:56 pm

        Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Shanti

      June 28, 2022 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      I tried it. Thanks for such an easy recipe. I followed the tips and they are really helpful.

      Reply
      • Preeti

        June 28, 2022 at 12:28 pm

        Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    image of preeti nayak.

    Hi, I'm Preeti!

    I’m the author, photographer & editor here at theyummydelights.com. Here on this website, I share easy, family-friendly recipes that you will love.

    More about me →

    Diwali Recipes

    • nevri served in a thali.
      Nevri Recipe (Goan Neureo)
    • besan ladoo served in a black plate. Garnished with pistachios.
      Danedar Besan Ladoo Recipe
    • Maharashtrian Rava Ladoo placed on a white bowl on a brown counter top.
      Maharashtrian Rava Ladoo (Pakatale Rava Ladoo)
    • close-up of serving maharashtrian chakli on a white plate.
      Maharashtrian Chakli Recipe (Bhajani Chakli)
    • Peanut ladoos placed on a white plate on a brown counter top.
      Peanut Ladoo Recipe With Jaggery
    • A close-up of 5 besan burfis, neatly stacked on a vibrant red plate.
      Besan Burfi Recipe

    Popular Recipes

    • close-up image of manglalorean style chicken sukka or kori sukka recipe.
      Mangalorean Chicken Sukka Recipe (Kori Sukka/Kori Ajadina)
    • close-up of one-pot mediterranean chicken and rice in a skillet.
      One Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
    • Chicken ghee roast in a black pan. It shows succulent pieces of chicken coated with ghee roasted masala in a black color pan.
      Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast (Ghee Roast Chicken)
    • close-up of chicken masala served in a white bowl with onion slices and a lemon wedge.
      Chicken Masala Recipe (Quick & Easy)
    • close-up of dahi chicken in a white color bowl.
      Dahi Chicken Recipe (Yogurt Chicken Curry)
    • close-up of prawns ghee roast served in a white bowl.
      Mangalorean Prawn Ghee Roast Recipe

    Footer


    Back to Top ⬆

    Logos of media outlets and websites where The Yummy Delights has been featured or referenced.
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    General
    • About Me
    • Contact Us
    • Recipe Index
    Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer & Copyright
    • Accessibility Policy

    © 2025 THE YUMMY DELIGHTS