10 Easy Holi Desert Recipes: Traditional Indian Sweets to Make at Home

10 Easy Holi Desserts Recipes: Traditional Indian Sweets to Make at Home 

"As Holi approaches, get ready to dive into a sea of colors and joyous celebrations"! As we prepare to indulge in the festive spirit, our minds inevitably wander to the delicious traditional Indian sweets that are an integral part of this celebration.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of Holi desserts, exploring the significance of sweets in this festival, and providing you with 10 easy Holi desserts recipes to make at home. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, these traditional Indian sweets recipes are sure to impress your family and friends. 

The Significance of Sweets in Holi

In Indian culture, sweets play a vital role in every festival, and Holi is no exception. These traditional desserts are not only delicious but also carry sentimental value, as they're often shared with loved ones and exchanged as gifts. Holi sweets recipes are passed down through generations, with each region having its unique twist. 

10 Easy Holi Desserts Recipes

Here are 10 simple and delicious Holi desserts recipes that you can try at home: 

1. Gujia: A Classic Holi Sweet

Gujia is a deep-fried dumpling filled with a sweet mixture of coconut, nuts, and dried fruits. This traditional Indian sweet is a staple during Holi and is often served with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. 

Gujia Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp ghee/oil

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 cup lukewarm water

• Filling: khoya, coconut, nuts, dried fruit, cardamom powder, sugar

Instructions:

1. Knead dough with flour, ghee/oil, salt, baking powder, and water. Rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare filling with khoya, coconut, nuts, dried fruit, cardamom powder, and sugar.

3. Roll out dough, place filling, and seal edges.

4. Deep-fry until golden brown or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes.

Tips:

• Use high-quality khoya for best flavor.

• Adjust sugar to taste.

• Bake instead of deep-fry for a healthier option.

2. Thandai Barfi: A Creamy and Sweet        Delight

Thandai Barfi is a creamy and sweet barfi infused with the flavors of thandai, a traditional Indian drink. This dessert is perfect for Holi, as it's refreshing, creamy, and utterly delicious. 

Thandai Barfi Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk powder

• 1/2 cup condensed milk

• 1/4 cup ghee

• 1 tsp thandai masala

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

• 1/2 tsp saffron threads

• Chopped nuts for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine milk powder, condensed milk, and ghee in a pan.

2. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.

3. Add thandai masala, cardamom powder, and saffron threads. Mix well.

4. Pour into a greased tray and set.

5. Cut into bars and garnish with chopped nuts.

Tips:

• Use high-quality thandai masala for authentic flavor.

• Adjust sweetness to taste.

• Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

3. Jalebi: Crunchy, Spiral-Shaped Fried Batter

Jalebi is a popular Holi dessert that's crunchy, spiral-shaped, and soaked in a sweet syrup. This traditional Indian sweet is a favorite among kids and adults alike. 

Jalebi Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup gram flour

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup ghee

• 1 cup lukewarm water

• Sugar syrup (see below)

Sugar Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

• 1 tsp rosewater (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix flours, baking soda, and salt.

2. Add ghee and lukewarm water. Knead smooth dough.

3. Rest dough 30 minutes.

4. Pipe into spiral shapes.

5. Fry until golden.

6. Soak in sugar syrup.

Tips:

• Use a piping bag for perfect spirals.

• Adjust sugar syrup consistency to coat jalebis evenly.

• Serve warm or at room temperature.

4. Ras Malai: A Creamy and Sweet Dessert

Ras Malai is a creamy and sweet dessert consisting of paneer (Indian cheese) soaked in a rich milk syrup. This traditional Indian sweet is a staple during Holi and is often served with a sprinkle of cardamom powder. 

Ras Malai Recipe

Ingredients:_

• 1 liter full-fat milk

• 1/2 cup paneer (Indian cheese)

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

• 1/4 tsp saffron threads

• 1 tsp rosewater (optional)

• Chopped nuts for garnish

Instructions:-

1. Boil milk until thickened.

2. Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron threads.

3. Reduce heat, add paneer, and stir gently.

4. Cook until paneer absorbs milk mixture.
5. Remove, let cool, and refrigerate.
6. Serve chilled, garnished with chopped nuts.

Tips:_

• Use high-quality paneer for best results.

• Adjust sugar to taste.

• Garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds for added crunch.

5. Laddu: A Classic Indian Sweet

Laddu is a classic Indian sweet that's made with gram flour, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). This traditional dessert is often served during Holi and is a favorite among kids and adults alike. 

Laddu Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups gram flour

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1/2 cup ghee

• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

• 1/4 tsp saffron threads

• Chopped nuts for garnish

Instructions:

1. Roast gram flour until fragrant.

2. Mix with powdered sugar, ghee, cardamom powder, and saffron threads.

3. Shape into small balls.

4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Serve chilled, garnished with chopped nuts.

Tips:

• Use high-quality gram flour for best flavor.

• Adjust sugar to taste.

• Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

6. Malpua: A Sweet Pancake

Malpua is a sweet pancake made with a mixture of flour, sugar, and milk, deep-fried and soaked in a sweet syrup. This traditional Indian sweet is a staple during Holi and is often served with a dollop of whipped cream. 

Malpua Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup milk powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup ghee

• 1 cup lukewarm milk

• Sugar syrup (see below)

Sugar Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, milk powder, baking soda, and salt.

2. Add ghee and lukewarm milk. Mix smooth batter.

3. Heat non-stick pan, pour batter, and cook until golden.

4. Soak in sugar syrup.

5. Serve warm or chilled.

Tips:_

• Use high-quality milk powder for creamy flavor.

• Adjust sugar syrup consistency to coat malpuas evenly.

• Garnish with chopped nuts or cardamom powder.

7. Shrikhand: A Sweet and Creamy Yogurt Dessert

Shrikhand is a sweet and creamy yogurt dessert flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts. This traditional Indian sweet is perfect for Holi, as it's refreshing, creamy, and utterly delicious.

Shrikhand Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

• 1/4 tsp saffron threads

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Hang yogurt in a cheesecloth for 2 hours.

2. Mix yogurt with powdered sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron threads.

3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

4. Garnish with chopped nuts (if using).

5. Serve chilled.

Tips:

• Use high-quality yogurt for creamy texture.

• Adjust sugar to taste.

• Add flavorings like rosewater or mango puree for variations.

8. Kesar Peda: A Sweet and Creamy Peda 

Kesar Peda is a sweet and creamy peda (Indian fudge) flavored with saffron and cardamom. This traditional Indian sweet is a staple during Holi and is often served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. 

Kesar Peda Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk powder

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 tsp saffron threads (kesar)

• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:_

1. Mix milk powder, heavy cream, saffron threads, and cardamom powder.

2. Cook until thickened.

3. Add powdered sugar, mix well.

4. Shape into pedas.

5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Tips:_

• Use high-quality saffron for best flavor.

• Adjust sugar to taste.

• Garnish with chopped nuts or saffron threads.

9. Mysore Pak: A Rich and Sweet Dessert 

Mysore Pak is a rich and sweet dessert made with gram flour, sugar, and ghee, originating from Mysore. This traditional Indian sweet is a favorite among kids and adults alike. 

Mysore Pak Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gram flour

• 1 cup ghee

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Roast gram flour until fragrant.

2. Mix sugar, water, and ghee in a pan.

3. Bring to boil, add gram flour mixture.

4. Cook until thickened.

5. Add cardamom powder, mix well.

Tips:

• Use high-quality ghee for rich flavor.

• Adjust sugar to taste.

• Cut into desired shape before setting.

10. Barfi: A Dense and Sweet Confectionery 

Barfi is a dense and sweet confectionery made with condensed milk, sugar, and nuts. This traditional Indian sweet is perfect for Holi, as it's easy to make and utterly delicious. 

Tips and Variations

To add a modern twist to traditional Holi desserts, experiment with different flavors and ingredients, such as: - 

• Chocolate: Add a sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate chips to your Holi desserts for a modern twist. 

• Nuts: Add chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts to your Holi desserts for added crunch. 

• Dried Fruits: Add dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or apricots to your Holi desserts for added sweetness. 

Conclusion

Holi is a time to indulge in traditional Indian sweets and Holi desserts, and with these 10 easy Holi desserts recipes, you can create a festive and delicious spread at home. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, these Holi sweets recipes are sure to impress your family and friends. 

FAQs  

Q1. What are the top 10 Indian desserts?

Ans- 1. Gulab Jammu 

2. Jalebi

3. Ras Malai

4. Barfi

5. Rabri

6. Kalakand

7. Pedha

8. Mysore Pak

9. Shrikhand

10. Laddu

Q2. Are there any healthy options in Indian desserts?

Ans- Yes, there are healthy options like fruit-based desserts or those made with nuts and seeds.

Q3. Which Indian dessert is the easiest to make at home?

Ans- Shrikhand or Laddu are easy to make at home.

Q4. Can Indian desserts be made vegan?

Ans- Yes, Indian desserts can be made vegan by replacing dairy products with plant-based alternatives.

Q5. How do I store Indian desserts to keep them fresh?

Ans- Store Indian desserts in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Q6 What's the best Indian dessert for festivals like Diwali or Holi?

Ans- Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, or Barfi are popular choices for festivals like Diwali or Holi.