Peda Recipes to Celebrate Maha Shivratri with Sweet Traditions

Maha Shivratri is a festival of devotion, spirituality and traditions where sweets play a big role. Amongst these sweets, peda is a classic Indian sweet that is a part of every thali. Whether it’s the melt in the mouth texture or the ease of making it, peda is everything sacred and sweet about the festival. It’s not just a treat but a gesture of love and respect to Lord Shiva who is offered milk, honey and sweets on this day.

As you get ready for Maha Shivratri, you might want to bring your culinary skills into play. Peda recipes are so versatile you can experiment with flavors and still stay traditional. From saffron infused kesar peda to chocolate twists, there’s a peda for every taste and mood. These sweets are not just fun to make but also fun to share and gives you a warm connection to the festive spirit.

Whether you are making them for a temple offering, family get together or just for some festive fun, peda making can become a ritual in itself. This Maha Shivratri, find out how a simple peda can add flavour and tradition to your celebrations.

How To Make Delicious Peda For Maha Shivratri Celebration

Peda is a favorite Indian sweet and a must have during Maha Shivratri. This Maha Shivratri, enjoy making soft, melt in your mouth peda and add some sweetness to your spiritual journey.

Ingredients:

• 1 liter Full-fat milk
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
• 10-12 Saffron strands
• 1 tbsp Ghee

Method

1. Boil full-fat milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. Stir continuously to avoid burning. Reduce the milk until it thickens and forms a khoya-like consistency.
2. Add sugar to the thickened milk and cook until it starts to leave the sides of the pan. Add cardamom powder and saffron strands.
3. Transfer the mixture to a plate greased with ghee and let it cool slightly.
4. Once the mixture is warm but firm, take small portions, roll them into balls and flatten gently to shape into pedas.
5. Garnish with saffron strands or chopped nuts. Your pedas are ready to serve as prasad or enjoy with family.

Tips And Tricks To Make Peda For Maha Shivratri

Use Full Fat Milk For Creaminess

The secret to a creamy, melt in mouth peda is in the base ingredient—milk. Always use full fat milk to make the khoya (mawa) as the high fat content is must for the luscious and creamy texture pedas are famous for. Using skimmed or low fat milk will compromise both the taste and texture and it takes much longer to get the desired consistency.

Cook On Low Heat For Texture

Patience is the key to making peda. Always cook on low heat so that the milk cooks evenly without burning. Low heat allows the milk to thicken gradually and forms a grainy and rich texture which is the core of a authentic peda. Stir constantly so that the milk solids don’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn which can ruin the taste.

Add Ghee For A Smooth Finish

Ghee is not just an ingredient; it’s the magic that turns your peda from good to great. Add a tablespoon of ghee towards the end of cooking the khoya. The ghee not only enhances the taste but also gives the peda a glossy and velvety finish. It also prevents the mixture from becoming dry and makes shaping the pedas much easier.

Add Saffron For Festive Touch

Saffron is a must have ingredient that takes the peda to the next level, visually and aroma wise. Soak a few strands of saffron in 2 tsp of warm milk and let it sit for a few minutes to release the color and flavor. Add this saffron milk to the peda mixture while cooking. This simple addition makes the pedas look luxurious and smell floral, perfect for offering during festivals.

Do Not Overcook The Mixture

One of the biggest mistakes while making peda is overcooking the mixture. As soon as the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and forms a dough like consistency, remove it from the heat. Overcooking will dry out the mixture and make the pedas crumbly and difficult to shape. Remember the mixture will continue to cook a bit due to the residual heat, so its better to err on the side of undercooking.

Add Cardamom For Real Flavor

Cardamom is the soul of a traditional peda. Freshly ground cardamom powder added towards the end of cooking gives a warm sweet aroma that pairs well with the milk and sugar base. To get the maximum flavor use whole cardamom pods and grind them just before use.