As Janmashtami and Raksha Bandhan draw near, the excitement of the upcoming wedding seasons and Navratri celebrations fills the air with joy, happiness, and positivity. To keep the festive spirit alive, we bring you some timeless sweet recipes that are sure to enchant your taste buds and add a touch of tradition to your celebrations.
Recipe 1: Nariyal Pak
(By Sunita Gupta, @Recipes Hub)
About The Dish: Nariyal Pak, also known as coconut fudge or kopra pak, holds a special place among Indian sweets. This delightful treat combines fresh coconut, mawa, sugar, and milk to create a luscious nariyal barfi. A traditional favourite from Gujarat, this Coconut Burfi graces every occasion, from Diwali and Raksha Bandhan to Holi and Navratri.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup full-fat Milk
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 ½ cups chopped Dry Coconut
- ½ cup Milk Powder
- 1 cup Cardamom (Elaichi) powder
- 1 TBSP Desi Ghee
- 1 cup Cream (Malai)
Directions:
Grease a plate to set the nariyal pak.
In a pan, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup full-fat milk, 1 cup malai, 1 cup milk powder, and 1 tbsp ghee before igniting the flame. If you don't have cream (malai), use 2 tbsp of ghee.
Whisk the mixture to eliminate any lumps before heating.
Cook the mixture until it reaches the consistency of mava. Add 1 cup of dry coconut and 1 cup of cardamom powder to the mixture.
As the mixture comes together and leaves the pan, transfer it onto a greased plate. Spread it evenly and let it cool to about 1 inch thickness. Once cooled, cut it into your desired shapes. This treat can be enjoyed for up to a week!
Recipe 2: Suji Ke Laddu
(By Animeta Creator, Ruchi Gagan Deep, Ruchi’s Recipe Book)
About The Dish: Suji Ke Laddu, also known as Rava Ladoo, is a melt-in-the-mouth Indian sweet that takes center stage during festive seasons. With roasted semolina, ghee, milk, and sugar as its main ingredients, these laddus can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes, adding a touch of sweetness to your celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Suji
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 Cup Dessicated Coconut
- ½ cup Ghee
- Dry fruits
- 1 Tbsp Cardamom Powder
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
Directions:
In a pan, lightly cook 1 cup of suji without letting it turn golden brown (2-3 minutes).
Transfer the suji to a mixing bowl and add 2 cups of room-temperature milk. Let it rest for 10 minutes for the suji to absorb the milk.
Cook 1 cup of desiccated coconut until properly done and set aside.
Combine the suji-milk mixture in a pan and mix over low heat. Gradually add ghee to prevent sticking. The mixture should come together and release from the pan.
Incorporate dry fruits and cardamom powder. Cook for 7-10 minutes until the mixture is well-done.
Once cooled, add dry coconut and 1 cup of powdered sugar. If dry, add a touch of ghee. Shape into laddus and enjoy your Suji Ke Laddu!
Recipe 3: Sugar-Free Besan Laddu
(By Sonali Sarkar, Mom Blogger & Child Nutritionist)
About The Dish: Besan Ladoo, or Besan ke Laddoo, is a traditional Indian delight synonymous with festivals like Janamashtami, Raksha Bandhan, and Diwali. Now, you can relish these besan ladoos guilt-free with a sugar-free twist!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Ghee
- 2 cups Besan/Gram Flour
- 1 cup Jaggery
- ½ tsp crushed Cardamom Seeds
- Cashews, as required
Directions:
- In a kadhai, melt ¼ cup ghee. Add besan and cook on low heat until it changes colour and becomes fragrant (20-25 minutes). Stir continuously.
- Gradually add the rest of the ghee as you cook the besan mixture. Once it changes colour, turn off the heat and add jaggery and crushed cardamom. Mix well and allow it to cool.
- Shape the cooled mixture into laddus and top with cashews.
These delightful recipes, whether traditional or with a twist, are perfect to make your festive season truly memorable. Enjoy the sweetness of these treats as you celebrate with your loved ones.