Diwali is not just the festival of lights, but also the festival of the most popular Diwali sweets. Deepavali is India's favorite festival. It's the occasion when our homes are lit up with diyas, our hearts fill with joy, and our kitchens with the aroma of sweets. Savoring mouth-watering sweets is one of the special Diwali traditions. While family members come together to decorate, light diyas, and gift each other, it's the indian mithai for Diwali, either lovingly prepared at home or ordered, that adds a sweet touch to the celebration. In this blog, we will pen down the 10 favorite Diwali sweets.
Ladoo
Ladoo is one of the most loved sweets in India. It is round and sweet, and it melts in your mouth. There are many types of ladoos like besan ladoo (made with gram flour), boondi ladoo, and motichoor ladoo. Ladoos are almost popular all over India! In North India, motichoor ladoos are common. In South India, people love rava and coconut ladoos too. This sweet treat is easy to make and is often the first item made at home when Diwali begins. Laddos are also given as gifts to family and friends.
Kaju Katli
Kaju Katli looks like a shiny silver diamond, but it's not a jewel, it’s a sweet! It’s made from cashew nuts (kaju), sugar, and sometimes cardamom. It is soft, smooth, and has a nutty texture. This sweet is popular all across India, especially in the North, and is one of the most gifted sweet during Diwali. People love how it looks and tastes, and it is often kept in boxes to be shared with guests.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is a soft and juicy treat loved by people of all age groups. It is made by frying small balls of dough and then soaking them in sugar syrup. Tastes best when eaten warm or chilled, this sweet is famous all over the country. You can even enjoy Gulab Jamun with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Rasgulla
Rasgulla is a white, round, and super soft sweet made from cottage cheese, also called chhena, and cooked in sugar syrup. This is a popular sweet of West Bengal, and people across India love this juicy treat. Served cold and also warm, this sweet is a must-have in a Diwali feast. It is also available in various flavors like Rose, cardamom, Kesra, Nolen Gur, chocolate, and so on.
Barfi
Barfi, also spelled as Burfi, is a square-shaped sweet that comes in many colors and flavors. It can be made with milk, coconut, almonds, or pistachios. Sometimes, it has shiny silver paper on top called “vark”. This sweet is prepared in every household during Diwali, and every region has its version. Kaju barfi, coconut burfi, mango burfi, you name it, and you will find a burfi version. It is easy to prepare and ideal for gifting.
Soan Papdi
This sweet has flaky, thread-like layers and is crunchy. It melts in your mouth and is made from sugar, gram flour (besan), ghee, and cardamom. Soan Papdi is very popular in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and North India. Available in flavors of orange, chocolate, rose, etc, Soan Papdi is one of the favorite sweets packed in gift boxes.
Jalebi
Jalebi is a bright orange or yellow coloured sweet in a spiral shape. Made of maida, this sweet is fried until it’s crispy and then dipped in sugar syrup. When you bite it, it crunches and then melts in your mouth! This sweet is famous in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, and is south as well. People usually eat Jalebis with milk, while in Gujara,t it is eaten with fafda and with Kachori Sabji in Varanasi.
Kalakand
Kalakand is a soft and grainy sweet made from milk. To make this sweet, milk is cooked for a long time until it becomes thick and sweet. It’s usually white or light brown and topped with dry fruits. This sweet from Rajasthan is rich and creamy and is often made during big festivals like Diwali.
Karanji
Karanji looks like a tiny dumpling in a half-moon shape. This sweet is a staple in South-Indian and Maharashtrian Diwali faral and is prepared in every household. Karanji/Karchikai is filled with a yummy mix of coconut, jaggery (or sugar), and nuts, and is fried until golden brown. The sweet filling and crunchy outer layer make Karanji a perfect snack to enjoy with tea during the festival.
Shakkarpara
Shakkarpara, also called Shankarpali, are small, crunchy, diamond-shaped sweets. These bite-sized treats are made by frying small pieces of dough made from flour, sugar, and ghee. It is crispy and mildly sweet, perfect for snacking. Shakkarpara is enjoyed in many parts of India, especially in Karnataka and Maharashtra, during Diwali. This sweet is easy to make in big batches and stays fresh for days, so families love sharing it with guests during the festival.
The list of Indian desserts for Diwali does not end here. There’s also the rich and delicious Mysore Pak, the sweet stuffed flatbread called Puran Poli or Holige, and the creamy, comforting Kheer, all adding magic to the festival in their way.
For most people, Diwali would not be complete without the aroma of homemade sweets, especially for Indians overseas, because sweets during Diwali are very dear to them. Each sweet reminds them of home, mom preparing laddoos, and the joy of celebrating together.
The Desi Food understands you, and hence we ship traditional Diwali foods all over the world. We deliver to over 80 countries, like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. You can now purchase or send Diwali sweets to the ones you love wherever they are. Visit The Desi Food website today, view our products, and order your favorite sweets online.
What are the most popular Diwali sweets in India?
Diwali sweets in India vary from one zone to another. Like in North India, you will find motichoor ladoo, kaju katli, while in the south, karchikai, holige, in Maharashtra, it is karanji, besan ladoo, shankarpali, and so on.
Can I make these sweets at home?
Yes, many Diwali sweets like Ladoo, Barfi, Karanji, and Shakkarpara are traditionally made at home and are relatively simple to prepare with the right ingredients and time.
What desserts are eaten on Diwali?
You can enjoy yummy Gulab Jamuns, Rasgulla, a variety of burfis, and more on Diwali. Explore The Desi Food for a wide range of Diwali sweets with international delivery.
Which sweet is best for Diwali?
There’s no single “best” sweet for Diwali, as it often depends on personal taste and regional preferences. If you like something sweet and juicy, go for Gulab Jamuns and Rasgulla. If you are looking for gifting options, choose burfi, kaju katli, soan papdi, and so on.
Can I order Indian Diwali sweets online if I live abroad?
Yes. From our platform, The Desi Food, you can buy/send traditional Diwali sweets from any part of the world. Our service is accessible in more than 80 countries, including the US, UK, Germany, and Canada.
