Diwali Sweets & Snacks: 6 Easy Recipes to Create with Your Child

Diwali, the festival of lights, is not only a time for illuminating homes but also a time for indulging in delectable sweets and snacks. What better way to celebrate this vibrant festival than by involving your child in the kitchen and whipping up some delightful Diwali treats together?

In this blog, we'll explore six easy Diwali recipes that you can cook with your child, making the festival a culinary adventure for the whole family.

The Fun and Learning Behind the Food

Cooking and sharing these delightful Diwali treats with your child allows them to participate in the festivities, while also providing them with quality time together in the kitchen. As they help you create these tasty treats, they'll learn about the significance of food as part of cultural and religious celebrations, as well as create cherished childhood memories.

The kitchen is also a wonderful classroom, wherein your child can:

• hone their fine motor skills by stirring, spreading and sprinkling,
• develop their literacy skills and build their vocabulary by reading recipes with you,
• learning new words like ‘pour’, ‘pinch’, ‘warm’, ‘chill’, ‘ghee’, ‘powder’, ‘samosa’, etc., and
• understand maths by measuring, dividing and counting ingredients.

Safety First

While cooking with children can be a wonderful and educational experience, it's essential to prioritise safety. Always ensure that you or another responsible adult is present in the kitchen to closely supervise small children during any cooking and baking activities. Sharp objects, hot surfaces, and kitchen appliances can pose potential hazards. This is a great opportunity to extend your child’s learning by teaching them the importance of kitchen safety, including washing hands and following safety guidelines. By taking these precautions, you can create a safe and enjoyable cooking experience, while setting the foundation for future independence.

Now, put on your aprons and chef hats, gather your little sous chef, and let the culinary adventures begin. Happy Diwali!

Top Tip: Try swapping out the nut garnish for seeds or diced dried fruit.

1. Rice Krispie Ladoos

Ingredients:

- 4 cups of Rice Krispies cereal

- 1 cup of marshmallows

- 2 tablespoons of ghee (clarified butter)

- A handful of mixed dry fruits (chopped)

Steps:

1. Melt the ghee in a pan and add marshmallows. Stir until they melt completely.
2. Add the Rice Krispies cereal and dry fruits. Mix well.
3. Allow the mixture to cool slightly and then use your hands to shape it into small, individual ladoos.

2. Chocolate Burfi

Ingredients:

- 2 cups of milk powder

- 1/2 cup of cocoa powder

- 1/2 cup of condensed milk

- 1/4 cup of ghee

- Chopped pistachios for garnish

Steps:

1. In a pan, melt the ghee and add the milk powder and cocoa powder. Roast for a few minutes.
2. Add the condensed milk and mix until it forms a thick dough.
3. Flatten the mixture onto a greased plate, garnish with chopped pistachios, and cut into squares.

3. Coconut Ladoo

Ingredients:

- 2 cups of desiccated coconut

- 1 cup of condensed milk

- A pinch of cardamom powder

- Chopped almonds for garnish

Steps:

1. In a pan, combine desiccated coconut and condensed milk.
2. Heat and stir until the mixture thickens.
3. Add cardamom powder and mix.
4. Shape the mixture into small ladoos and garnish with chopped almonds.

4. Peanut Chikki

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of roasted peanuts

- 1/2 cup of jaggery

- A pinch of cardamom powder

Steps:

1. Grind the roasted peanuts into a coarse powder.
2. In a pan, melt jaggery until it reaches a soft-ball consistency.
3. Add the peanut powder and cardamom powder, mix quickly, and spread onto a greased surface. Let it cool and cut into pieces.

5. Mini Samosas

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of all-purpose flour

- 2 tablespoons of ghee

- 1/4 cup of water

- Filling: mashed potatoes, peas, and spices

Steps:

1. Mix flour and ghee until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add water and knead into a smooth dough.
2. Roll out small circles and cut them in half to create semi-circles.
3. Fill each semi-circle with the potato and pea filling and fold into mini samosas.
4. Deep fry until golden brown.

6. Rice Pudding (Kheer)

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of rice

- 4 cups of milk

- 1/2 cup of sugar

- A pinch of saffron strands

- Chopped nuts for garnish

Steps:

1. Cook the rice in milk until it softens and thickens.
2. Add sugar and saffron strands. Cook until the sugar dissolves.
3. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm or chilled.

For more fantastic foodie adventures, check out our library of recipes here!