Deepavali — a time to celebrate, gather with loved ones, and indulge in delicious sweets. Anyone who is celebrating Deepavali on the 31st of October is sure to have a lengthy list of sweet treats they are looking forward to eating!
Even if you do not celebrate Deepavali, food is a great way to bond with our family and neighbours, especially in Singapore.
Whether you’re gathering with family or simply looking to try your hand at something new, here are three easy and mouthwatering recipes for traditional Indian sweets that you can make at home.
#1 Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge)
Kaju katli is a smooth, thin fudge made from cashew nuts and is often served in diamond-shaped pieces during Deepavali.
This sweet treat has a rich, nutty flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that you and your neighbours are sure to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cashew nuts (unsalted)
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 tbsp water
- 1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter)
- 2/3 teaspoon rosewater
- Optional: Silver foil for decoration
Method:
- Prepare the cashew powder: Grind cashew nuts in a blender until fine (be careful not to over-blend or it will turn into a paste). Sieve the cashew powder to ensure that it is not too coarse.
- Make sugar syrup: In a pan, add the sugar and water. Heat on medium, stirring until the sugar syrup is formed and comes to a rapid boil.
- Cook the mixture: Lower the heat and gradually add the cashew powder to the syrup. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
- Form the dough: As the mixture thickens, add ghee and continue stirring. Once it forms a soft dough-like consistency and does not stick to the sides of the pan, remove it from the heat. (If the dough sticks to the pan, add a few drops of ghee and continue stirring.)
- Roll it out: Allow the non-sticky, dry dough to cool slightly, then place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut into diamonds: Once the dough sets, cut it into diamond shapes. Optionally, you can decorate with edible silver foil for an elegant touch.
Noel Gifts’ Suggestion: Pair this homemade kaju katli with our Deepavali Bounty of Kindness Gift, which includes a selection of tasty sweets and treats along with a classic Bordeaux red wine, beautifully packaged for Deepavali gifting.
2. Coconut Barfi with Condensed Milk (Coconut Fudge)
The word ‘barfi’ originates from the Persian and Urdu word ‘barf’, which means ‘snow’.
Just like how its name sounds, coconut barfi is a sweet fudge made from grated coconut, sugar, and milk, with a soft, chewy texture. It’s easy to make and perfect for sharing during Deepavali.
Ingredients:
- 15 to 20 pistachios, almonds or cashew nuts
- 1 ¾ cup desiccated coconut
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup milk (or water for a lighter version)
- 1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter)
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder (for fragrance)
Method:
- Prepare the pan: Grease a plate or tray with ghee and set it aside to cool the mixture later.
- Grind the pistachios: Dry roast 15 to 20 pistachios (or whichever nut of your choice) until crunchy. Set them aside to cool before crushing them in a grinder.
- Cook the coconut and sugar: In a non-stick pan, add the desiccated coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and milk. Heat over medium, stirring regularly. Break any lumps that may form.
- Thicken the mixture: Continue cooking the mixture until it thickens.
- Add cardamom: Add a generous pinch of cardamom powder for extra flavor and mix well.
- Set and cut: Transfer the mixture to the greased tray, topped with grounded pistachios. Flatten it evenly and let it cool. Once set, cut it into square or diamond shapes.
Noel Gifts Suggestion: Complement your coconut barfi with our Joy of Sharing gift hamper. For just $79, this gift is filled with delightful, crunchy bites and a fragrant Bordeaux red wine – a heartfelt and sincere gift to express your warm wishes.
3. Jalebi (Crispy Sugar-Coated Spirals)
Finally, jalebi is a crispy, spiral-shaped dessert dipped in sugar syrup. Known for its vibrant orange colour and sweet, crunchy texture, cooking jalebi at home is simple and fun.
Ingredients for Jalebi:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp corn flour
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup water (or as needed)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric (for color)
- Oil for frying
- 1-2 tbps ghee
Ingredients for Sugar Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ + 2 tbsp cup water
- 1/8 teaspoon saffron
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Method:
- Prepare the batter: Mix the flour, yogurt, turmeric, lemon juice and water to form a smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Add lemon juice.
- Make the sugar syrup: In a saucepan, dissolve sugar in water and bring it to a boil at medium heat until it reaches a 1 string consistency. Add lemon juice, saffron and cardamom for flavor. Remove from heat but keep it warm.
- Fry the Jalebi: Heat oil in a deep pan and add ghee. Check if the oil is hot by dropping a small amount of batter to the oil. It should rise immediately without browning. Pour the batter into a piping bag (or a squeeze bottle) and pipe out spiral shapes into the hot oil. Fry until crispy and golden.
- Soak in syrup: Immediately transfer the fried Jalebis into the warm sugar syrup. Let them soak for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Noel Gifts’ Suggestion: Want to share the joy with your loved ones, neighbours and business partners? Send your warm wishes with our Warmth of Togetherness gift hamper, packed with crunchy bites, sweet treats and 2 bottles of premium red wine to infuse every gathering with warmth.
Sweeten Deepavali with Noel Gifts
Explore our top picks:
- Deepavali Token of Joy Gift: A vibrant and delightful mix of sweet and savoury bites, paired with an eye-catching floral arrangement that is perfect for expressing gratitude and joy to friends, neighbours or colleagues.
- Luminous Delight Gift Basket: A luxurious selection of indulgent gourmet treats and a satisfying sip of 2 robust scotch whiskys, beautifully packaged for the occasion.
- Deepavali Warm Wishes Hamper: If you’re looking for non-alcoholic gifts, this Deepavali gift hamper is one of our top sellers. Filled with festive goodies, perfect for corporate gifting or family celebrations.
This Deepavali, whether you’re whipping up homemade treats or sending heartfelt gifts, let Noel Gifts help you light up your celebrations with warmth and love.
Explore our Deepavali selections here:
- Evergreen Hampers (with alcohol)
- Non-Alcoholic Hampers
- Traditional Gift Baskets (for under $150)
- Traditional Gift Baskets (for above $150)
- Flowers and Gifts
