By Suprita Mitter
January 13, 2025
Jaggery, a traditional unrefined sugar, is widely used in Indian sweets for its rich flavour and natural sweetness. These jaggery-based sweets are not only delicious but also offer a healthier alternative to those made with refined sugar, as jaggery retains more nutrients and minerals.
A traditional Maharashtrian sweet, tilgul is made with sesame seeds (til) and jaggery. It is often shaped into small balls and exchanged during Makar Sankranti as a symbol of warmth and togetherness.
A festive treat from Maharashtra, puran poli is a flatbread stuffed with a sweet mixture of jaggery, chana dal (split chickpeas), and cardamom. It's typically served during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali.
A crunchy, nutty snack made by mixing jaggery with roasted peanuts, cashews, or sesame seeds. The mixture is set into a firm block and cut into pieces. Til chikki (sesame seed chikki) is especially popular in winter.
A comforting winter dessert, gajar halwa is made by cooking grated carrots with milk, ghee, and jaggery. It is flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts, making it a rich, indulgent treat.
A variation of the traditional kheer, this rice pudding is sweetened with jaggery instead of sugar. The dish is made with rice, milk, cardamom, and a generous amount of jaggery, creating a creamy, rich dessert.
Made with finger millet flour (ragi), jaggery, and ghee, these energy-packed laddoos are popular in South India. The earthy flavour of ragi combined with the sweetness of jaggery makes them a healthy and tasty treat, especially during festivals.