Holi is a festival of colours, joy, and, of course, delicious food! While traditional sweets like gujiya and malpua take center stage, why not try something unique this year? These six festive desserts blend tradition with a modern twist, making your Holi celebrations even sweeter. Whether you love rich, creamy, or spiced treats, these recipes will add a delightful surprise to your festive spread. Let’s dive into these mouthwatering Holi desserts!

1. Spiced Chai Cheesecake Bites with Salted Caramel

These bite-sized chai cheesecakes bring together the cozy spices of chai and the richness of cheesecake, topped with decadent salted caramel. Perfect for any occasion or just when you need a sweet, comforting treat! 

Prep Time: 45 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (includes chilling)

Ingredients:

For the Tea:

- 3 tbsp boiling water
- 2 tbsp black tea
- ½ cup heavy cream

For the Crust: 

- 180g Biscoff or Parle G biscuits 
- 5 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp raw brown sugar
- ¼ tsp pink salt

For the Cheesecake:

- 2 packages cream cheese
- 1 cup jaggery 
- 1 tsp cardamom, ginger powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs 
- 1 cup salted chai caramel sauce (recipe below)

For the Salted Chai Caramel Sauce:

- 3 tbsp black tea
- 1½ tsp cardamom, 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup raw brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp pink salt

Steps to make:

1. Tea: Steep the black tea in boiling water for 15 minutes. Heat the cream until it just boils, then combine with the steeped tea.

2. Crust: Pulse Biscoff biscuits in a food processor until fine crumbs. Mix with melted butter, brown sugar, and pink salt. Press the mixture into the bottom of small glass jars. Bake at 325°F for 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Cheesecake: Beat cream cheese and jaggery until smooth. Add steeped tea mixture, spices, and vanilla. Mix in eggs one at a time. Pour over the crusts in the glass jars and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate for 2 hours.

4. Caramel Sauce: Steep the black tea in ¼ cup boiling water for 15 minutes. In a pan, heat brown sugar over medium-high heat until it melts and turns golden. Carefully add the strained tea mixture, butter, and pink salt. Stir until the butter melts. Let cool.

5. Serve: Drizzle chilled cheesecakes with salted chai caramel sauce. 

Tips:

- Ensure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and creamier texture.
- Make the caramel sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge.

2. Thandai Frappe: A Festive Twist on a Classic Drink

Looking for a fun and refreshing way to enjoy the flavours of Holi? This Thandai Frappe is the perfect fusion of creamy indulgence and the aromatic spices of traditional thandai. It's a sweet treat that'll transport you straight to festive celebrations!

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

- 2 cups chilled whole milk (full-fat milk)
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 2 tablespoons Thandai syrup
- 6-8 ice cubes
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- Gulkand (for garnish)
- Kashmiri mongra saffron soaked in water (for garnish)

Steps to make:

1. Blend It Up: Add the chilled milk, vanilla ice cream, thandai syrup, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend everything until smooth and frothy.

2. Pour and Serve: Pour the creamy thandai frappe into two serving glasses.

3. Top It Off: Add a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of each glass.

4. Garnish: Add a little extra thandai syrup on top, and for a special touch, garnish with gulkand and saffron soaked in water.

5. Chill and Sip: Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing, spiced sweetness of this festive drink!

Tips:

- Add a pinch of cardamom powder or a dash of rose water to bring out even more traditional Thandai flavours.
- Swap the whole milk and vanilla ice cream for coconut milk and dairy-free ice cream for a vegan-friendly version.

3. Black Rice Kheer: A Traditional North Eastern Dessert

This Black Rice Kheer is a unique take on a beloved Indian dessert, with the earthy goodness of black rice, aromatic spices, and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for special occasions or when you simply crave something indulgent!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

- ½ cup black rice
- 1 litre whole milk
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- ¼ cup jaggery powder (or to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp green cardamom powder
-  2 tbsp almonds
- 2 tbsp pistachios (for garnish)

Steps to Make:

1. Prepare the Rice: Wash the black rice thoroughly and soak it in water for an hour. Drain and rinse again.

2. Cook the Rice: Add the soaked black rice to a stovetop pressure cooker. Pour in 2 cups of water, mix well, and close the lid. Pressure cook on high for 1 whistle. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally before opening the lid.

3. Make the Kheer: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat 1 litre of milk over medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Once the milk boils, add the cooked black rice, desiccated coconut, and bay leaves.

4. Simmer: Reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens.

5. Sweeten & Spice: Add jaggery powder, cardamom powder, and mix well. Cook for another 3-4 minutes to blend the flavours.

6. Garnish & Serve: Remove from heat and discard the bay leaves. Garnish with slivered almonds and pistachios. Serve hot or chilled as per preference.

Tips:

- You can add a few tablespoons of cream to the kheer towards the end for an even richer texture.
- Use coconut milk instead of whole milk for a dairy-free version.

4. Spiced Fruit Bake: A Warm, Comforting Dessert

This Spiced Fruit Bake is the perfect combination of warm, tender fruit and aromatic spices, baked to perfection. With the sweetness of honey and the richness of roasted pecans, it's a comforting dessert for any occasion. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 50-60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

- 2 apples (sliced)
- 1 cup pineapple (chunks)
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 7 strawberries (Sliced)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup raw brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup roasted pecans (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fruit: In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples, pineapple chunks, pomegranate seeds, and sliced strawberries. Add the lemon juice and toss everything together.

2. Mix the Spices: In another bowl, combine the raw brown sugar, honey, melted butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until smooth.

3. Combine: Pour the spice mixture over the fruits and mix everything well, ensuring the fruits are evenly coated.

4. Transfer to Baking Tray: Pour the fruit mixture into an 8x6 inch baking tray, spreading it evenly.

5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) and bake the fruit for 50-60 minutes, or until the fruits are tender and caramelised.

6. Finish and Serve: Remove the tray from the oven and sprinkle the roasted pecans on top. Serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect dessert!

Tips:

- Feel free to swap in your favourite fruits, such as plums, peaches, or berries, depending on what's in season.
- Add a handful of oats on top for an extra crunch before baking.

5. Gulkand Mousse: A Sweet Floral Delight

Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of this Gulkand Mousse, a dessert that combines the fragrant sweetness of rose petals with the creamy richness of fresh cream and thandai. Perfect for a special occasion or when you want to treat yourself to something indulgent yet refreshing!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling time)

Ingredients:

- 500 ml fresh cream
- 70 g Kashmiri rose & honey gulkand 
- 150 ml milk
- 2 tbsp thandai syrup
- 100 ml condensed milk
- 1 tbsp chopped pistachios (for garnish)

Steps to Make:

1. Prepare the Thandai: In a mixer, blend the milk and thandai syrup together until smooth. Once done, transfer the thandai mixture into a glass.

2. Mix the Mousse Base: In a large bowl, combine the condensed milk, thandai mixture, and fresh cream. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, creamy mixture.

3. Assemble the Mousse: Pour the creamy mousse mixture into small shot glasses or serving cups.

4. Garnish and Chill: Garnish each mousse with a dollop of gulkand and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios. Place the shot glasses in the fridge for at least an hour to chill and set.

5. Serve: Once chilled, take the mousse out of the fridge and serve. 

Tips:

- You can swap pistachios with other nuts like almonds or cashews, or even add a few rose petals for extra flair.
- Use coconut cream and plant-based milk to make it a vegan-friendly treat.

6. Rose Sandesh: The Perfect Sweet for a Special Occasion

Looking for a delightful twist on traditional sweets? Rose Sandesh is a fragrant, flavour-packed Bengali delicacy that's simple to make and perfect for any occasion. With the subtle sweetness of raw brown sugar, a touch of cardamom, and the floral aroma of rose, it's bound to impress. Let’s dive into this easy, yet delicious, treat!

Prep Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

- 200g paneer 
- 2 tbsp raw brown sugar 
- ½ tsp green cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp edible rose water
- 1 tbsp chopped pistachios
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds

Steps to Make:

1. Prepare the Paneer: If using frozen paneer, transfer it to the fridge the night before. Let it thaw and soften at room temperature. Grate or crumble the paneer.

2. Mix the Base: Transfer the grated paneer into a mixing bowl. Add powdered raw brown sugar and cardamom powder. Mix well until fully combined.

3. Grind the Mixture: In a mixer grinder, edible rose water and pulse for 10 seconds to bring everything together into a smooth mixture.

4. Shape the Sandesh: Transfer the mixture back to the mixing bowl. Shape it into small round balls or any desired shape.

5. Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and almonds for a nice crunch and a touch of elegance.

Tips:

- For a smoother texture, make sure your paneer is soft and well-crumbled.
- Chill the sandesh for 10 minutes before serving for a refreshing bite.

Conclusion

This Holi, go beyond the usual sweets and surprise your family and friends with these unique, flavourful desserts. From the richness of Spiced Chai Cheesecake Bites to the creamy goodness of Gulkand Mousse, these recipes will add a delightful twist to your celebrations. So, grab your ingredients from Zama Organics, and let the festive magic begin!

FAQs

Q. Can I prepare these desserts in advance?
A. Yes! Most of these desserts can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Q. Can I make these desserts healthier?
A. Absolutely! Swap sugar for jaggery or honey and use coconut milk instead of dairy where possible.

Q. Are these recipes kid-friendly?
A. Yes! They’re naturally sweet and flavourful, making them perfect for kids and adults alike.

Q. Which dessert is the easiest to make?
A. Rose Sandesh is the simplest.