Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of worship, celebration and indulgence in delicious offerings to Lord Ganesha or Bappa as we call Him. Among the traditional sweets made during the festival, Shrikhand holds a special place. This creamy, yoghurt-based dessert with its smooth texture and subtle sweetness is a favourite during the festival. Whether you have it as a standalone dessert or with puris, shrikhand brings joy to Bappa and his devotees.
With Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 around the corner, why not try different types of shrikhand to add some variety to your offerings? From the classic kesar elaichi shrikhand with saffron and cardamom to more adventurous flavours like mango shrikhand with the pulp of ripe mangoes, there’s a version for everyone. You can even experiment with fusion flavours like chocolate shrikhand or pista-badam shrikhand for a modern twist on tradition.
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Try different shrikhands and bring variety and innovation to your prasad while keeping the tradition intact. It is simple and indulgent and can be made and shared with family and friends during the festival.
Shrikhand To Make For Ganesh Chaturthi
Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand
This is pure indulgence, with saffron and cardamom coming together. Saffron gives it a beautiful golden colour and cardamom adds a fragrance that takes it to the next level. To make thi shrikhand, whisk hung curd until smooth. Add powdered sugar, saffron soaked in warm milk and cardamom powder and blend until the flavours come together.
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Mango Shrikhand (Amrakhand)
Amrakhand or mango shrikhand is a fruity delight that has the essence of ripe mangoes. Mango sweetness blends so well with the creamy yoghurt base that it is a favourite during the festive season. To make this, pure ripe mangoes and mix them into the hung curd. Add sugar and a pinch of cardamom for extra flavour. Mix well and refrigerate to let the flavours develop.
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Pista Badam Shrikhand
Pista Badam Shrikhand is the nutty version of the dessert, loaded with pistachios and almonds. The nuts add texture and flavour to the smooth yoghurt base. To make, mix hung curd with powdered sugar and finely chopped pistachios and almonds. You can also add a pinch of cardamom for extra flavour. Mix well and chill before serving.
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Strawberry Shrikhand
Strawberry Shrikhand is a refreshing and fruity take, with the natural sweetness and tartness of strawberries balancing the yoghurt. Puree fresh strawberries and fold them into strained yoghurt. Add sugar to taste and a pinch of vanilla extract for a hint of sweetness. Voila! A beautiful pink shrikhand with a burst of berry flavour.
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Chocolate Shrikhand
For all you chocolate lovers, Chocolate Shrikhand is a dessert with a modern twist. This one’s perfect for kids and anyone with a sweet tooth. Mix strained yoghurt with powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Blend until smooth, make sure the cocoa is well distributed. You can top it with chocolate shavings.
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Rose Shrikhand
Rose Shrikhand is a light and fragrant one, with the sweet, floral flavour of roses. Perfect for festivals. To make, add rose syrup or crushed rose petals to strained yoghurt and mix with powdered sugar. You can also add a few drops of rose water for extra aroma. Garnish with rose petals before chilling it. The floral flavour makes this shrikhand a special offering for Bappa.
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Dry Fruit Shrikhand
Dry Fruit Shrikhand is a healthy and dense dessert with mixed dry fruits like raisins, cashews, figs and almonds. The chewy dry fruits add an interesting texture to the smooth yoghurt base, it’s a textural treat. To make, chop your choice of dry fruits and mix them into the strained yoghurt with powdered sugar. Add a pinch of cardamom for extra flavour.