The festival of lights, Diwali, is one of the most awaited festivals in India. With every home having unique rituals, gifting runs, and joy in the air, Diwali brings out the best of the festive season. However, since most people exchange gifts with their loved ones, the snacks and sweets served often disturb the stomach. But you can bring a change by making your own Diwali hampers at home.
With mithai made with healthy ingredients, baked in Usha’s OTG, packed with love, and distributed with sheer compassion, you can make this Diwali truly unforgettable. From the traditional options like gujiya and nankhatai to fusions like gulab jamun cheesecake, here are some options you can add to your homemade mithai hampers.
Nankhatai
The traditional Gujarati cookie, nankhatai, would be an impeccable addition to a mithai hamper. Since they are baked, you can make the most of Usha’s 20 L OTG and whip up a batch at home for Diwali gifting. And the best part is that you can customise the nankhatai according to your preferences. Whether you want to make coconut nankhatai, a batch for children with an added touch of chocolate, or some overloaded with dry fruits and nuts, just prepare a dough, bake to perfection, and pack them in a hamper.
Dry Fruit Gujiya
If there’s one mithai that’s a non-negotiable for Diwali, it has to be gujiya. While it is traditionally deep-fried and then coated in chashni (sugar syrup), you can make it healthier by baking the same dough. Once you’ve prepared a rich filling made with chopped dry fruits, nuts and khoya, you can shape the dough, add the mixture, seal the edges, and bake. After the gujiyas turn crispy, let them cool, and then add them to your Diwali boxes.
Gulab Jamun Cheesecake Bites
Bringing together the best of traditional Indian sweets and Italian favourites, gulab jamun cheesecake bites would definitely be a hit for Diwali. To make these at home, you can start by preparing the cracker crust and topping it off with the usual cream cheese mixture. Next, add halved gulab jamuns in the centre, and bake in Usha’s OTG. The mini-cheesecake bites will be ready in no time and will be one of the most irresistible additions to your baked goods.
Coconut And Jaggery Tarts
From nariyal ke laddu to barfi, coconut is used in a range of festive sweets. To use the ingredient in a baked good, you can make mini tarts with a rich filling of shredded coconut mixed with jaggery. For the sweet mixture, you can grate some coconut, add melted jaggery, and mix in cardamom and nutmeg. Cook the mixture till aromatic, fill the tarts, and bake. The crunchy tart and the melt-in-mouth filling will create a one-of-a-kind dessert that’s perfect for the festive season.
Rose And Pistachio Barfi
You said you can only make barfi by cooking the milk solids and standing in the kitchen for long hours? With Usha’s OTG, you can bake barfis using ingredients such as milk powder, condensed milk, ghee, and sugar or jaggery. For rose and pistachio barfi, you can add rose water and pistachio silver in the mixture. Once well mixed, bake for about 20 minutes. Let the barfi cool, wrap each piece in rose petals, and you’re done.