Homemade Diwali Sweets And Snacks Gift Boxes Recipe

Picture this: I’m standing in my kitchen surrounded by the warm, inviting aromas of roasting besan, melting jaggery, and fragrant cardamom. It’s one of those perfect moments where tradition and taste come together, transforming a simple cooking session into a celebration of flavors. Join me as I craft an assortment of delightful treats that are perfect for sharing sweet moments with your loved ones. Let’s dive into this culinary journey!

I love putting together Diwali Sweets and Snacks Gift Boxes in my kitchen. For the key ingredients take besan and ghee, for instance.

When you mix them together and form them into laddoos, they come out so rich and so delicious that they practically melt in your mouth. I also like to add cardamom to the mix.

It gives the laddoos a special taste that comes through when you bite into them. And I use a lot of it!

After that, you can flavor the laddoos in so many different ways. Adding fine-chopped nuts with the aforementioned ingredients creates a great contrast in texture.

Homemade Diwali Sweets And Snacks Gift Boxes Recipe Ingredients

• Besan (gram flour): Rich in protein and fiber, aids digestion.
• Ghee: Adds richness and flavor, rich in healthy fats.
• Jaggery: Natural sweetener, rich in iron and minerals.
• Rice flour: Gluten-free, adds crispiness, high in carbohydrates.
• Turmeric powder: Anti-inflammatory, brightens and adds color.
• Ajwain (carom seeds): Aids digestion, flavors with a hint of spice.
• Coconut: Adds texture, contains healthy fats and fiber.

Homemade Diwali Sweets And Snacks Gift Boxes Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups besan (gram flour)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup ghee
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (cashews and almonds)
• 1 cup roasted peanuts
• 1 cup jaggery
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup maida (all-purpose flour)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1/4 cup milk

How to Make this Homemade Diwali Sweets And Snacks Gift Boxes Recipe

1. Prepare Besan Laddoos:
– Heat 1/2 cup ghee in a pan and roast 2 cups besan on low flame until it becomes golden and gives off a nice, nutty fragrance. – Allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature, and then combine it with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped nuts. – Shape the combined mixture into small, bite-sized balls.

2. Prepare Peanut Chikki:
– In a saucepan, dissolve 1 cup jaggery with 1/4 cup water over medium heat until it forms a hard ball in cold water.
– Mix in 1 cup roasted peanuts and spread on a greased surface to cool. Break into pieces.

3. Prepare Spicy Rice Flour Snacks:
– Mix together 1 cup of rice flour, 1/4 cup of maida, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp ajwain, and salt in a bowl and add enough water to form a dough. – Roll out thin, cut into shapes, and deep fry in hot oil until crisp.

4. Prepare Coconut Barfi:
– Combine 1 cup of grated coconut, 1/2 cup of sugar, and crushed cardamom pods in a saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of milk. – Place over medium heat and stir frequently until the mixture reaches the consistency of thick pudding. Spread the mixture evenly onto a greased rectangular tray. – Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container.

5. Assemble Gift Boxes:
– Gift boxes should be lined with parchment paper.
– Laddoos, chikki pieces, rice flour snacks, and coconut barfi should be arranged neatly in sections.
– The boxes should be sealed and decorated as desired.

Homemade Diwali Sweets And Snacks Gift Boxes Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Pan
2. Saucepan
3. Mixing bowls
4. Wooden spoon
5. Spatula
6. Greased tray or surface
7. Knife
8. Rolling pin
9. Cutting board
10. Deep fryer or deep frying pan
11. Greaseproof paper or parchment paper
12. Measuring cups and spoons
13. Gift boxes

FAQ

• Q:Can I substitute sugar for jaggery in peanut sweets? A: Yes, you can use jaggery instead of sugar, but the flavor will be slightly different as sugar adds a richer, deeper taste.
• Q:How can I ensure the besan mixture doesn’t form lumps?
  A: To prevent lumps, it is necessary to continuously stir the besan in ghee over a low flame until the raw smell disappears and signals that the roasting is complete.
• Q:What is the ideal way to keep these sweets and snacks? A: Keep them in a container that cannot let any air in at room temperature. You should be able to eat them at their freshest 1-2 weeks after you first open the package.
• Q:Is it possible to make these confections vegan?
  A: Yes, ghee can be replaced with a plant-based oil, and milk can be substituted with almond milk or any other plant milk.
• Q:What steps must I take to guarantee the oil reaches the proper degree of heat for the snacks to be deep-fried?
  A: Place a tiny piece of dough in the oil. It should lift slowly and steadily to the top, with tiny bubbles forming all over, if the oil is at the right temperature.
• Q:Can the level of sweetness be tweaked?
  A: Certainly, change the amount of sugar or jaggery to your preferred level of sweetness.
• Q:Am I allowed to include additional nuts and fruits in the mixture?
  You can indeed try out various nuts, such as pistachios, or include dried fruits like raisins for some diversity.

Homemade Diwali Sweets And Snacks Gift Boxes Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use an equal amount of unsalted butter rather than ghee.
Replace jaggery with the same amount of brown sugar or coconut sugar.
Use whole wheat flour instead of maida (all-purpose flour) in the same quantities for a healthier alternative.
Substitute sunflower oil for oil when deep frying, for a neutral flavor.
When you don’t have cardamom pods on hand, you can substitute ground cinnamon.

Pro Tips

1. Roast the Besan Perfectly When roasting the besan for the laddoos, keep the flame low and stir continuously. This ensures even roasting and prevents the besan from burning, which can give it a bitter taste. Look for a golden color and a nutty aroma to know it’s ready.

2. Consistency Check for Jaggery Syrup While making the jaggery syrup for the peanut chikki, use the cold water test. Drop a small amount of syrup into cold water; if it forms a hard ball, it’s ready. This ensures your chikki will set properly and have the right crunch.

3. Knead the Dough Well For the spicy rice flour snacks, knead the dough until it’s smooth and pliable. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water; if too sticky, add a bit more flour. A well-kneaded dough makes it easier to roll thin, resulting in crispier snacks.

4. Cool Completely Before Cutting Coconut Barfi When preparing the coconut barfi, allow it to cool completely at room temperature before attempting to cut it into squares. This helps the barfi set properly and makes clean cuts without crumbling.

5. Use Fresh Ingredients for Best Flavor Ensure all your ingredients, like nuts, coconut, and cardamom, are fresh. This significantly enhances the flavor and aroma of your sweets and snacks, making your gift boxes more delightful.