Must-Try Eid Sweets That Will Sweeten Your Meethi Eid

Eid-ul-Fitr, or Meethi Eid, will be celebrated on March 30 this year. It's a festival of thanksgiving, happiness, and, above all, rich desserts. Families reunite after a month of fasting to feast and celebrate with an array of traditional and modern sweets. In Indian homes across the country, kitchens are abuzz with the smell of ghee, saffron, and nuts as indulgent and celebratory sweets take over.

From silky kheer to crunchy malpua, Eid desserts are not just treats, they are a reflection of love, togetherness, and warmth. Some are traditional sweets passed down through the ages, while others have been reinvented with new twists to suit new tastes. Whatever your preference, creamy puddings, syrupy sweets, or crispy little things, there is a flawless dessert out there for you.

Here are nine must-try Eid sweets that will add a special touch to your celebrations and bring smiles to every gathering.

Sheer Khurma

Sheer khurma is a traditional Eid dessert that is a rich, flavorful milk-based treat flavored with vermicelli, dates, nuts, and cardamom. It is cooked slowly until it is creamy, and it is usually served warm but is also delicious when refrigerated. The ghee-roasted vermicelli and saffron-infused milk are a comforting and celebratory combination. Top with slivered almonds and pistachios for a celebratory finish.

Phirni

This rice pudding slow-cooked to perfection is a must-serve during Eid celebrations. Ground rice, milk, and sugar are all it takes to make phirni, which gets flavored with saffron or rose water for an extravagant touch. Phirni is best served chilled in earthen bowls, which add to its fragrance and flavor. Garnished with chopped pistachios and edible silver leaf, this dessert provides a light, creamy finish to any meal.

Malpua

These golden, crunchy pancakes dripping with sugar syrup are a festival favorite. The batter, prepared using flour, milk, and a dash of fennel, is fried crisp on the edges and soft within. Malpuas are best had with a splash of rabri or a topping of crushed nuts. Their unresistible crunch and syrupy richness make them an Eid must-have.

Shahi Tukda

A Mughlai dessert is shahi tukda, a decadent and rich dish consisting of slices of deep-fried bread immersed in sugar syrup and finished off with thickened milk (rabri). Cardamom and saffron flavor this dish, which is garnished with slivered almonds and rose petals for an opulent touch. Each bite of this crispy and creamy dessert is absolute indulgence.

Seviyan Kheer

Less complicated than sheer khurma but equally tasty, seviyan kheer involves cooking roasted vermicelli in milk, sugar, and nuts. Easy to make and served warm or cold, this pudding is a soothing dessert that families will love to have for Eid celebrations. The addition of a few strands of saffron or rose water provides a scented touch, and it's a favorite dish for Eid celebrations.

Anjeer Barfi

For those who crave something with less sugar, anjeer (fig) barfi is a great option. This naturally sweet treat made with dried figs, dates, and nuts uses very little sugar. The ingredients are reduced to a thick consistency and molded into bite-sized pieces. High in fiber and nutrients, anjeer barfi is a guilt-free treat for Meethi Eid.

Lauki Halwa

This underrated halwa is a gem among Eid sweets. Prepared with grated bottle gourd cooked slowly in milk and ghee, lauki halwa is soft and rich in texture. Sweet and cardamom-flavored, it is garnished with slivered almonds. This comforting dessert is perfect to serve at any Eid spread.

Baklava Rolls

Adding a touch of Middle Eastern flair to the Eid celebration, baklava rolls are a crunchy and nutty delight. Thin sheets of filo pastry are layered with a combination of crushed walnuts, pistachios, and almonds, then baked until golden brown and crispy. Soaked in a light honey or sugar syrup, the rolls provide the perfect combination of crunch and sweetness and are a unique addition to the celebration.

Coconut Ladoo

Coconut ladoos are a great option for a quick but rich dessert. Cooked with fresh or dried coconut, condensed milk, and a touch of cardamom, these bite-sized sweets are simple to make. They have a melt-in-the-mouth texture and are rolled in chopped nuts or saffron strands for a special festive touch. Great to give as a gift or serve at Eid parties.