Holi is all about colours and fun, but it’s also about delicious food! Everywhere you go, you’ll catch the scent of amazing dishes being prepared. These recipes aren’t just yummy; they’re a way to celebrate the happiness that Holi brings.
As the colourful days of Holi appear on the horizon, the dilemma of preparing sweets that perfectly suit the festival is on everyone’s mind.
But need not worry, as we have come up with 4 last-minute delectable Holi sweets that turn the odds in your favour!
From jaggery-infused ‘kheeranand’ to the moist and flavorful ‘puran poli’, our Holi dessert list caters to every palate. These quick and delicious recipes promise to add an extra dash of sweetness to your festivities!
Let’s roll!
| Table of Contents |
| ● Top 4 Holi Sweets
● FAQ ● Tying Sweet ends |
Top 4 Sweets for Holi:
Whipping up sweet treats for you and your peers to enjoy shouldn’t have to be exhausting. That is why we have listed some easy-to-make and innovative Holi sweets below.
Grab your spatulas, and let’s dive in!
1. Jaggery ‘kheeranand’:
The first sweet treat itself carries the name ‘anand,’ and you can only imagine the joy this dessert spreads when whipped up! This dessert, a royal Rajasthani delight, gets healthier with the addition of ‘gur’. Explore the recipe below to discover its unique charm!
Ingredients:
- Full cream milk – 4 cups
- Basmati rice – 1 – 2 cups
- Jaggery powder – 2 – 3 tablespoons (adjustable according to your preferences)
- Cardamom powder – 1 – 2 teaspoons
- Pure desi ghee – 1 tablespoon.
- Nuts – Pistachios, almonds, cashews.
- Saffron (‘kesar’) – A pinch (optional).
- Rose petals – for garnishing (optional).
Instructions:
- Wash the rice until the water runs clear.
- Boil the milk and add the washed rice to it.
- Cook on a low flame for 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
- Add the jaggery once the rice is almost cooked and the mixture has boiled down to a thick and creamy consistency.
- Save a quarter of the chopped nuts and sauté the rest in a separate pan until golden brown.
- Then, add them to the milk and rice mixture.
- If you’re using the saffron strands, add them along with the cardamom powder and stir well.
- Simmer for 2 more minutes, and turn off the heat.
- Let it rest until cooled off.
- Serve in earthen pots with additional chopped nuts and rose petals!
Now that you know how to make a yummy rice dish, let’s try something new! Check out the steps for making Thandai Nankhatai below.
2. Thandai Nankhatai:
Indulge in these delightful Indian tea-time biscuits—a perfect snack for those gulal breaks this Holi. Originating from the vibrant Silk City, Surat, these melt-in-the-mouth sweet treats, infused with thandai flavour, will add the perfect touch to your Holi party! Discover the easy recipe below and elevate your festivities!
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour (maida) – 1 cup
- Gram flour (besan) – ½ cup
- Desi A2 ghee – ½ cup
- Jaggery powder – ½ cup
- Thandai powder – 2 tablespoons
- Cardamom powder – ¼ teaspoons
- Saffron strands – 5 – 6 strands (optional)
- Chopped pistachios, almonds, cashews – A handful (optional)
Instructions:
- To start, preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and gram flour.
- In another bowl, mix the desi A2 gheeand jaggery powder until creamy.
- Add the ‘thandai’ powder, cardamom powder, nuts, and saffron (if using) to the ghee-jaggery mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, and mix well. Remember not to overmix, the consistency we’re aiming for is a smooth dough.
- Divide the dough into small, round, cookie-size portions.
- Roll and flatten the dough mixture to form cookies.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest until cool.
Your thandai biscuits are ready to serve! These cookies have a rich flavour that merges well with the hint of spice from the cardamom powder and the edginess of the thandai.
Let’s move on to the next recipe, a modern twist to a traditional sweet – Raspberry milkcake!
3. Raspberry Milkcake:
Milk cake is one of the few desserts that receives unanimous cheer from almost every sweet lover. However, have you ever tried making this easy sweet dish yourself? Today, we will teach you exactly that. Follow along to make this Holi special sweet with a fruity twist!
Ingredients:
- Full-fat milk – 1 cup
- Fresh raspberries – 2 cups
- Jaggery powder – ¼ cup
- Desi ghee – 2 teaspoons
- Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon (optional)
- Crushed pistachios
Instructions:
Raspberry puree:
- Gently rinse the fresh raspberries under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- In a blender add the raspberries; jaggery powder, and lemon juice and blend until smooth.
- Use a strainer, sieve, or cheesecloth to separate the seeds from the raspberry puree. Set it aside.
Raspberry Milkcake:
- Boil the milk in a pan on low heat.
- Add 2 – 3 drops of lemon juice to speed up the process while constantly stirring.
- The milk will start forming small curds; then, add the powdered jaggery in three parts. Only add the next part of the jaggery after dissolving the first one.
- After dissolving the jaggery, add desi ghee in 2 parts while combining well.
- Keep stirring until the milk curds have caramelized.
- Add the previously made raspberry puree to the curdled milk and mix well.
- Stir for 2 more minutes and turn off the heat.
- Transfer the raspberry milk mixture to a deep tray or pan, cover it with a cloth, and allow it to cool down.
- When the mixture has cooled down, turn the tray or pan upside down to release the milkcake.
- Cut the raspberry milk cake into diamond shapes.
Serve your freshly made batch of modern milk cakes, garnished with crushed pistachios and nuts!
Coming to our last star dish from Maharashtra: Puran Poli. Check out its recipe next!!
4. Puran Poli
Indulge in the Maharashtrian delight of ‘Puran Poli’ – sweet lentil-filled ‘paratha’ – guaranteed to make you drool. Perfect for satisfying our sweet tooth this Holi, follow our quick guide for a delicious homemade treat that captures the essence of this cherished festival.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- All-purpose flour (maida) – 1 cup
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Tumeric powder – ½ teaspoon
- Desi A2 ghee – 2 teaspoon
For filling:
- Chickpea lentils (chana dal) – 1⅓ cup
- Butter – 1½ cup
- Jaggery powder – 1 cup
- Cardamom powder – ½ teaspoon
- Salt – ⅛ teaspoon
Instructions:
Prepare the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Gradually add water in small amounts till a sticky dough forms.
- Add melted desi ghee to the mixture, and knead well.
- The desired dough for puran poli is elastic and does not tear.
- Once the dough becomes puffy and elastic, grease it with a small amount of melted ghee and keep it aside for 20 minutes.
Prepare the filling:
- In a pressure cooker, add 3 cups of water and add the washed ‘chana dal’.
- Cook the ‘dal’ until you hear 3 whistles.
- Allow the pressure cooker to cool off, and carefully drain the extra water.
- Blend the ‘chana dal’ in a blender until you get a smooth paste.
- Heat a wide non-stick pan on medium heat, and add butter.
- Add the ‘chana’ paste when the butter has melted, along with cardamom powder, and a pinch (literally a pinch) of salt
- Sauté for 12 – 15 minutes, letting the water evaporate entirely, and then turn off the heat.
- Form small lemon-shaped balls that hold up their shape after the mixture has cooled down.
Making puran poli:
- Divide the dough into lemon-sized balls, and roll them into small circles.
- Place the chana ball onto the dough and pinch the dough to close.
- Give it one final roll in your hands, and sprinkle some maida over it.
- Gently roll out the puran poli into circles.
- Cook the rolled flatbread on a flat tava heated on medium flame until golden-brown spots develop on both sides.
Lightly brush the puran poli with A2 desi ghee for a rich and aromatic taste and serve hot!
FAQ: 4 Last-Minute Holi Sweets to Make
Which sweet is famous in Vrindavan during Holi?
Gujiya is the most famously eaten sweet in Vrindavan during the festive season of Holi. It is a crispy and flaky sweet dish filled generously with khoya and dry fruits.
Is bhang good for health?
Bhang, an Ayurvedic herb, offers relief from nerve pain, arthritis, insomnia, and piles. While it is legal in India, it should be consumed responsibly by adults in limited amounts.
How to make sugar-free Holi sweets for 2024?
Opt for natural sweeteners like sugarcane jaggery, and honey, steering clear of processed sugar in your Holi sweets. If you’re looking for organically made jaggery and honey, check out our natural sweeteners at Two Brother’s Organic Farms!
Tying Sweet Ends:
With that, we end our discussion on Holi sweets. Elevate your festive moments with our crafted recipes like jaggery kheeranand, thandai nankhatai, etc. These culinary creations are designed to sweeten your memories of the festival.
Embrace the laughter and togetherness of Holi, while the vibrant hues light up the gulal-smeared faces with joy. We hope there is no end to the laughter and joy Holi brings, and may these treats sweeten your memories of the festival. Create heartwarming dishes that bring joy this festive season. Wishing you a Happy Holi!
