Diwali 2023: 7 Traditional Sweets That Symbolise Diwali
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With the biggest festival of the year, Diwali, just around the corner, we expect nothing less than those stellar traditional sweets we all have had over the years. These mithais represent Diwali and symbolise it. The lights, the diyas, the firecrackers, every house is filled with brightness and these sweets only elevate the festive vibe even further. There's something for everyone, from the beloved kaju katli, and decadent gulab jamun to the scrumptious ladoos.

Apart from being enjoyed by themselves, mithais are also offered to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Shri Ganesha. Gift boxes, which are also commonly used as a present to your loved ones on Diwali also feature a wide variety of sweets, nuts and fruits. All of these traditions are so deeply rooted in our culture that certain sweets simply remind you of Diwali. In this article, we'll talk about seven of these traditional mithais that are must-haves during the festival of lights.

Kaju Katli

It is the quintessential Diwali sweet. Kaju Katli is a cherished Indian dessert which is the number one pick during Diwali. It has a melt-in-mouth texture and terrific taste thanks to cashews and desi ghee. Its diamond shape also imparts a luxurious vibe to the setting while the vark, which is basically a fine filigree foil sheet made out of pure metal, typically silver in colour is the cherry on top. If you want to get your hands on traditional Diwali sweets, then this is where you should start.

Gulab Jamun

A traditional Indian mithai made of khoya or milk powder. They are loved all over India and made on several festivals over the year with Diwali being one of them. These berry-sized balls are dipped in a sugar syrup that gives them their smooth yet sweet finish.

Gulab jamun can be enjoyed on its own but popular variations such as gulab jamun with a scoop of ice cream are also enjoyed by many.

Kalakand

Another decadent entry to the list. It is also referred to as milk cake sometimes but in technicality, kalakand is different and one simple way to identify is that kalakand is all white in colour whereas the primary of a milk cake is usually brown with hints of white.

Kalakand on the other hand is a dreamy, addictive and fudgy dessert that you won't be able to keep your hands off. Made with common ingredients like paneer, and condensed milk, this sweet is an absolute delight.

Mysore Pak

Diwali is not complete without Mysore pak. This decadent fudge made with besan is a treat for your taste buds. It has a great crunchy mouthfeel with a rich and sweet flavour that it may even become your new favourite. Made from primary ingredients such as ghee, besan and sugar, making this mithai is incredibly easy but highly rewarding.

Rasmalai

This Indian delicacy is for when you want to indulge in something luxurious and rich. You may need some practice to master the art of making this sweet because, unlike others, it doesn't take shape as easily.

Rasmalai is essentially a dessert with soft cheese discs dipped in sweet thickened milk which are then enjoyed together as a whole. It is among the popular desserts in India and easily available across all halwai shops.

Chawal Kheer

Another liquid yet creamy dessert on the list. Kheer is the heart of Indian desserts and with so many options to choose from, you can never get bored of the iconic kheer. But when it comes to Diwali, chawal kheer is the way to go.

Kheer is a sweet Indian pudding and like many Indian desserts, it is milk-based. It is made by slowly cooking rice grain with milk and sugar until you reach the perfect consistency as you prefer. To enhance its flavour even further, it is topped with nuts, fruits and sometimes saffron.

Gajar Halwa

This winter special is an absolute treat with a beautiful red colour on top to make this dish not only pleasing to your taste buds but also to the eyes. Gajar halwa is made by grating fresh carrots and then simmering them in milk, ghee and sugar. It is a simple yet rewarding process. The cardamom powder, on the other hand, imparts a lovely aroma to the dessert and to top it off, garnish it with nuts and saffron.