From refreshing frozen kulfi to syrupy Indian-style doughnuts, these sweets capture the celebratory essence of Diwali. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or seeking the perfect edible gift, these diverse recipes offer something for every palate, blending traditional flavours with some modern twists.
Milk burfi is a creamy confection made by simmering milk with sugar until it thickens. Its smooth texture and subtle sweetness make it a favourite for festive occasions. This decorative version gets rolled in chopped pistachios and topped with gold leaf.
Credit: Andrew Dorn
Carrot halwa is a warm, comforting dessert made from grated carrots cooked in spiced milk and ghee until it almost caramelises, then served with a balancing dash of cream. The pudding-like result is perfect for cooler Diwali evenings.
Credit: Feast magazine
These deep-fried, syrup soaked dumplings are usually made with milk – but in this recipe, from Tonka in Melbourne, ricotta is used for both a shortcut and to give extra lightness. This result with the soft, fluffy and spongy texture and aromatic flavour, making these a Diwali must-have.
Ricotta gulab jamun with saffron syrup. Credit: China Squirrel
Perfect for gluten-free sweet-seekers, these delightful balls are made from chickpea flour, giving them an earthy, nutty flavour. Infused with cardamom, these ladoos not only taste wonderful but also considered auspicious.
Chickpea flour sweets (besan ladoo). Credit: Tanvi Srivastava.
This fragrant frozen dessert wins on several fronts – it’s a refreshing accompaniment for spicy food, it brings together a vibrant and aromatic blend of ingredients, and can be prepared ahead of time.
This Gujarati delicacy combines the nutty flavour of roasted chickpea flour with ghee and sugar, creating an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture. The fudge-like slice is garnished with scarlet slivered almonds for a festive touch.
Credit: Alan Benson
Originating from Bengal, Sandesh is a delicate sweet that is a testament to simplicity, made with fresh paneer and sugar. Its soft texture and mild sweetness make it the perfect canvas for aromatic flavourings like cardamom and pistachio.
Sandesh Source: SBS
These nutty pastries are an elegant addition to any Diwali spread. Almond-meal dough is folded to create layers, then fried and bathed in sugar syrup. The result – like a baklava-cookie hybrid – is a crisp exterior that encases a flaky and creamy interior.
Badam puri Source: SBS
This recipe is a simple and quick version of the standard reduced-milk sweet burfi, instead using sweetened condensed milk. Warmly spiced with freshly ground cardamom and rolled in coconut, these little balls are both simple to make and crowd-pleasing.
Coconut-Cardamon-Burfi
Kalakand is a luscious fudge-like sweet with a crumbly texture that makes it a favourite among Diwali sweets. This version is whipped up in just 10 minutes and topped with almonds, pistachio and saffron for a decorative touch.
While the more familiar carrot halwa is eaten in Northern India during winter, this beetroot halwa is enjoyed in Southern India year-round. For a Diwali spread, this version brings a unique twist in flavour and pop of colour.
Although more associated with the Indian winter festival of Sankranti, this crunchy confection is also popular during Diwali – the combination of sesame seeds, jaggery and cardamom creates a sweet, nutty and warming treat that's perfect for sharing with family and friends on a special occasion.
