7 traditional Diwali sweets to prepare at home
Diwali is a time for celebration, decorations, and delicious sweets. These traditional treats symbolize joy and are often shared with loved ones, adding sweetness to the festivities.
The preparations for Diwali are in full swing. This vibrant occasion is marked by the decoration of homes, the lighting of diyas, and the sharing of joy and love with family and friends. A significant part of Diwali celebrations is the preparation of traditional sweets. These delectable treats not only add sweetness to the festivities but also symbolize the joy of giving. Here are some popular traditional Diwali sweets you can prepare at home.
1. Gulab Jamun
Ingredients:
• Khoya
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Sugar
• Water
• Cardamom powder
• Ghee for frying
How to make:
To make gulab jamun, start by kneading khoya with flour and a pinch of baking soda to form a dough. Shape the dough into small balls and fry them in hot ghee until golden brown. Prepare a sugar syrup by boiling sugar and water with cardamom, and soak the fried balls in this syrup for a few hours before serving.
2. Laddoo
Ingredients:
• Besan (gram flour)
• Ghee
• Sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)
How to make:
To prepare besan laddoos, roast the gram flour in ghee until it turns golden and gives a nutty aroma. Once cooled, mix in sugar and cardamom powder. Shape the mixture into small round balls and roll them in chopped nuts for an extra crunch.
3. Barfi
Ingredients:
• Khoya or condensed milk
• Sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds)
• Silver or gold leaf (optional)
How to make:
For barfi, melt khoya or condensed milk in a pan, add sugar, and cook until it thickens. Stir in cardamom powder and chopped nuts. Pour the mixture into a greased tray and allow it to set. Cut into squares or diamonds, and garnish with edible silver or gold leaf for an elegant touch.
4. Kaju Katli
Ingredients:
• Cashews
• Sugar
• Water
• Cardamom powder
• Ghee
How to make:
Soak cashews in water for a few hours, then grind them into a smooth paste. In a pan, mix sugar and water to create a syrup, then add the cashew paste. Cook until it thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan. Spread the mixture on a greased surface, roll it out, and cut into diamond-shaped pieces.
5. Rasgulla
Ingredients:
• Chhena (fresh cheese)
• Sugar
• Water
• Rose water
How to make:
To make rasgulla, boil milk and curdle it to make chhena. Drain the chhena and knead it into a smooth dough. Shape the dough into small balls and boil them in sugar syrup made from water and sugar. Add rose water for fragrance and let them soak in the syrup for a few hours.
6. Peda
Ingredients:
• Khoya
• Sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts
How to make:
Heat khoya in a pan and add sugar until it dissolves. Once the mixture thickens, stir in cardamom powder and chopped nuts. Allow it to cool slightly, then shape into small discs. Peda can be garnished with slivers of pistachios or almonds.
7. Jalebi
Ingredients:
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Yogurt
• Baking powder
• Sugar
• Water
• Saffron (optional)
• Cardamom powder
• Ghee or oil for frying
How to make:
To make jalebi, mix all-purpose flour, cornstarch, yogurt, and baking powder with water to form a thick batter. Allow it to rest. Prepare a sugar syrup by boiling sugar and water, adding saffron and cardamom powder. Heat ghee or oil, then pipe the batter into spiral shapes and fry until golden brown. Dip the hot jalebis into the warm sugar syrup, and serve warm for a delightful treat.