Diwali, or Deepawali, is the Indian Festival of Lights, and it’s one of the most joyful, exuberant holidays of the year. Every fall, Diwali revelers rejoice in the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil by lighting fireworks, exchanging gifts, and ringing in new beginnings with friends and family.
“Diwali is like July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas wrapped up in one,” says Shri Repp, a local cooking instructor and IACP-nominated blogger specializing in Indian cuisine.
As with any festive bash, feasting on excellent food is a must. Shri’s family carries on their tradition of making delicious desserts to pass out to neighbors during Diwali, similar to a holiday cookie exchange. And this year, Shri is letting us join in on the fun with three of her favorite sweet recipes, perfect for spreading some light to your loved ones during the Diwali season.
gulab jamun (donuts soaked in syrup)
Shri has made thousands of gulab jamuns, and after all that experimentation, this recipe rose to the top. Imagine a golden donut drenched in fragrant saffron-cardamom syrup, and it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular desserts in India. “Gulab” translates to “rose water,” a fitting reflection of the ambrosial flavors saturating this bite-sized treat. The trick here is to keep a close eye on the temperature of your frying oil so your jamuns emerge from the pot with the fluffiest, melt-in-your-mouth texture. And hang on to the extra syrup—you’ll want to pour it over pancakes or add a splash to zhuzh up cocktails.
kesar peda (saffron milk fudge)
This saffron-rich dessert was a massive hit during our team’s Diwali taste test. We couldn’t get enough of these fudgy, caramel-like creations! Kesar peda is also a great gluten-free pick that comes together in less than 30 minutes. For the best results, Shri suggests keeping the batter constantly moving on the stove to prevent the milk from burning and lightly greasing your hands with ghee before rolling each ball for the smoothest shape. In short, if you’re looking for a simple dessert to impress friends at your next party, this is the one.
date burfi (date and nut roll)
This healthier Diwali treat is naturally sweetened by dates and delivers the perfect ratio of chewy to crunchy thanks to the addition of toasted nuts. Shri has included her favorite nutty combination in this recipe, but feel free to swap in the nuts you like most. Cardamom adds subtle warmth and ghee lends rich flavor that takes this elegant dessert over the top. For those among us who prefer their sweets not too sweet, date burfi is the answer.
wishing you a delicious Diwali
Stock up on iconic Diwali flavors like saffron and rose water at our stores to bring your luminous festivities to life—and for more Indian cooking tips, follow along with Shri on her Moon Rice blog.
From all of us at Metropolitan Market, we hope you have an abundant, prosperous Diwali.