Diwali 2024: Whip Up A No-Bake Desserts In Minutes

Diwali is a festival of light and joy, but it’s also an opportunity to enjoy a variety of delectable sweets and desserts.

While many traditional Indian treats can take hours to prepare, there are plenty of no-bake options that let you create delightful confections in no time.

Here’s a selection of easy no-bake Indian desserts recipes to elevate your Diwali festivities by Dr. Hansaji Yogendera, author of The Sattvik Kitchen: The Art and Science of Healthy Living

Oats and Almond Barfi

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup almond flour
• ¼ cup jaggery
• 2 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• A handful of chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish

Method

• Dry roast oats until golden and grind them into a coarse powder.
• In a pan, heat ghee and add the jaggery. Stir until the jaggery melts.
• Add almond flour, ground oats, and cardamom powder. Mix well.
• Spread the mixture onto a greased tray, garnish with chopped nuts, and let it cool.
• Once set, cut into barfi shapes and serve.

Foxtail Millet Halwa 

Ingredients

• 1 cup foxtail millet
• ½ cup ghee (clarified butter)
• ¾ cup jaggery (or sugar, adjust to taste)
• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of salt

Method 

• Dry roast the foxtail millet in a pan over medium heat until it turns slightly golden and aromatic. Set aside to cool.
• In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the roasted millet and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the millet is cooked and water is absorbed (about 15-20 minutes).
• In a separate pan, melt the jaggery with a little water over low heat until it dissolves. Strain it to remove impurities if necessary.
• In a large pan, heat ghee and add the cooked millet. Stir well to mix.
• Pour in the jaggery syrup and mix until fully incorporated. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring continuously until the halwa thickens.
• Stir in the cardamom powder and chopped nuts. Mix well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.