Diwali is considered the biggest festival in the Indian calendar and is celebrated in honour of Lord Rama's homecoming after 14 years of exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. The bright diyas, fairy lights, delicious snacks, and sweets all perfectly describe the charm and vibe of this beloved festival. Not only in India but Diwali is now celebrated in many countries across the world. Often referred to as the 'festival of lights,' Diwali falls on November 12 this year, which means you have more than enough time to add these amazing sugar-free desserts to your Diwali sweet list.
These sweets, unlike traditional sweets, won't let you regret each bite you take. Who says you cannot enjoy your festivals if you are diabetic? As the market has emerged with several sugar-free alternatives and natural sweeteners, simply substitute your regular sugar with these sweeteners. These sweeteners are also sweeter in comparison to regular sugar, so you won't need them as much as you need sugar. Adjust the sweetness levels according to your preference. But like always, practise moderation, as consuming anything in excess is harmful.
There are recipes provided for each of the desserts, so smartly swap sugar with any natural sweetener and you will be good to go. So, let's take a look at these six delicious desserts you can have this Diwali without any guilt. Keep reading to learn more.
Kaju Katli
This sweet deserves a special place when it comes to Diwali. The most loved and consumed dessert is undoubtedly kaju katli during the festival of lights. It is also quite easy to make with simple ingredients such as ghee, cardamom powder, sweetener, and cashews. Simply substitute your regular substitute with any natural sweetener, such as monk fruit or stevia, and you will have a wonderful dessert you can enjoy all Diwali.
Gajar Halwa
This decadent winter dessert that everyone loves can be turned sugar-free with just one little tweak. Yes, you can relish your favourite dessert without all the nightmares. This dessert is made using shredded carrots slow-cooked in milk until the milk is completely absorbed, along with ghee and cardamom powder. It is garnished with nuts to provide crunch and make the dessert even richer.
Coconut Barfi
This dessert is one of the simplest desserts you can prepare this Diwali. But that doesn't mean you will have to sacrifice flavour; it tastes soft and heavenly. You will simply need some ghee, sugar substitute, desiccated coconut, and cardamom powder. Switching sugar out isn't so difficult after all, is it?
Makhana Kheer
This is a creamy dessert that will perfectly match the Diwali vibe. Makhanas, which are also packed with protein, would give you a muscle boost if that's your priority during Diwali, and if not, we don't blame you.
This dessert is made with roasted makhana (fox nuts), which are cooked in milk, cardamom, and a sugar substitute of your choice. Top the dessert with nuts for the best experience.
Besan Laddoo
This is a popular Indian sweet that is traditionally made with besan, ghee, and powdered sugar. As we are looking for sugar-free desserts, we will substitute sugar, just like in previous recipes. These laddoos are made by roasting besan and ghee together and then adding the sweetener to make a pasty dough that should be thick. They are then formed into scrumptious balls. You can make these laddoos not just on Diwali but also on other festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Raksha Bandhan.
Kalakand
This sweet has been many people's favourite, but many of them also resist eating this dessert as it is not diabetic-friendly. But don't worry. We have a way of solving this problem. This traditional Indian sweet is made by using dates, whole milk, and paneer. The dates naturally add sweetness to the dish, so here, you won't need any additional sweetener.