Easy Eid Sweet Recipes for a Grand Celebration

Eid-ul-Fitr, which will be celebrated on March 30 this year, is a time of happiness, gratitude, and reunion. Indian kitchens are filled with the scent of ghee, saffron, and roasted nuts as families prepare an assortment of sweets to commemorate the festival. From century-old favorites to simple-fix contemporary counterparts, no Eid is complete without a medley of desserts.

With hectic schedules, not everyone can afford to spend hours in the kitchen. But that doesn't mean settling for less taste and richness. With a few clever tricks, you can prepare delightful sweets without the hassle. If you're fond of creamy puddings, syrupy treats, or nutty confections, there's something for you. Here are nine simple Eid sweet recipes that lend festive spirit to your table without making preparation a chore.

Kheer

A quintessential part of each Eid gathering, kheer is an indulgent creamed rice dessert that's deceptively simple. Rice slowly cooked in milk naturally thickens, and an addition of a pinch of sugar, cardamom, and chopped nuts upgrades its flavor. The longer one simmers the kheer, the more profound its richness is. An infusion of golden strands of saffron completes the flavor by imparting the hue. Dish it out steaming or cooled, topped with pistachios and almonds to enjoy a conventional yet easy-on-the-pocket treat.

Ladoo

Ladoos are one of the simplest sweets to make and keep fresh for days. No matter if you opt for besan ladoo, coconut ladoo, or rava ladoo, it is easy. Roasting the main ingredient in ghee releases its richness, and binding it with sugar and nuts makes it the ideal bite-sized snack. These spherical delicacies can be prepared in bulk and distributed among family and friends, so they are a staple during Eid celebrations.

Pista Barfi

For an easy yet sophisticated sweet, pista barfi is the perfect option. Prepared using ground pistachios, khoya, and condensed milk, the barfi has a melt-in-the-mouth and soft texture. Gently cooked and then left to set in trays, it is cut into diamonds or squares before serving. Decorate with crushed pistachios and silver leaf for a celebratory effect. Minimal effort is needed but the outcome is a rich, nutty experience.

Jalebi

Crisp and syrupy, jalebis are an instant delight on an Eid table. The batter, prepared with flour and a touch of yogurt, ferments for a short while before being piped into spirals and fried to a golden brown. Soaked in warm sugar syrup, the jalebis absorb just the right quantity of sweetness without losing their crispiness. Served alone or with rabri, this classic sweet is a cinch to make and always a hit during festive times.

Malpua Roll

A modern spin on classic malpua, this one entails rolling the syrup-soaked pancakes around a sweet filling. The batter, consisting of flour, milk, and fennel seeds, is fried to a golden brown and immersed in sugar syrup. Rather than serving flat, spread a mawa (khoya) layer and finely chopped nuts, then roll them up tightly. These bite-sized rolls give a sophisticated presentation to a favorite classic and are an impressive Eid treat.

Shahi Tukda

This regal dessert is shahi tukda, a bread-rich dessert, sweetened and laced with a sugar syrup topped with a thickenned milk (rabri). Sliced bread gets a deep-fried golden-brown and crunchy twist before it gets drenched with an aromatic cardamom-perfumed syrup. Topped with a large dollop of rabri for added extravagance, it can be dressed in slivered almonds and saffron to dress up for parties. This simply assembled dessert oozes any Eid bash to a level of luxury.

Kesar Seviyan

A lighter version of sheer khurma, kesar seviyan is an easy and fragrant vermicelli pudding. Roasted vermicelli is simmered in milk with sugar and saffron, achieving a light and rich balance. Unlike other versions, this dish is quick to prepare and doesn't involve long cooking. A sprinkle of chopped nuts before serving provides the ideal crunch, making it a favorite part of any Eid celebration.

Fruit Custard

For a hassle-free yet cooling dessert, fruit custard is an ideal option. Prepared by mixing milk with custard powder and sugar, this smooth dessert is ready in minutes. After thickening and refrigeration, a combination of fresh fruits like apples, bananas, pomegranates, and mangoes is incorporated. This dessert is light, refreshing, and ideal for counteracting heavier Eid foods while introducing a splash of color to the meal.

Mango Kulfi

Kulfi is an effortless frozen dessert that doesn't need churning. For a speedy mango kulfi, puree ripe mangoes with condensed milk, fresh cream, and a pinch of cardamom. Fill molds and freeze until firm. The sweetness of mangoes goes well with the creamy texture of kulfi, making it a comforting and cooling finish to an Eid meal.