Raksha Bandhan, a festival celebrating the beautiful bond between brothers and sisters, is incomplete without the exchange of gifts and sweets. As sisters tie rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, they wish for their well-being and prosperity, and brothers, in turn, promise to protect their sisters. Sweets play a vital role in this celebration, symbolizing the sweetness of the relationship and the joy of the occasion. Here are some delicious Raksha Bandhan sweets and recipes that can make this festival even more special.
Tender Coconut Mango Chilled Pudding by Kathiresan. K,
Junior Sous Chef at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa
Mango puree 200gm
Coconut milk 320gm
Amul cream 160gm
Sugar 240gm
Gelatine 20gm
Condensed Milk 200gm
Water 640gm
Method:
. Soak the gelatine with ice water
. coconut milk , amul cream, sugar, condensed milk, and water put together until it boils
. Once boiled remove from the range
. Then add the gelatine and mix well
. Then add the mango pulp mix well
. Then filter the mix
. Then pour it into a bowl
. Keep it in the refrigerator 2 hour
. Serve cold
Saravanan Ranganathan, Executive Chef, The Westin Chennai Velachery says,
As a festival celebrating the cherished bond between siblings, it’s time to indulge in the sweet traditions
of this joyous occasion. At The Westin Chennai Velachery, we are committed to our “Eat Well”
philosophy, which emphasizes balancing taste with wellness. This Raksha Bandhan, we are excited to
present a selection of delectable sweets that not only celebrate the festival but also align with our
commitment to health and well-being. To make your celebrations even more memorable, we have
crafted a range of sweets that perfectly blend indulgence with health.
Our offerings include – The Box of Happiness,
a. Kavuni Arisi sweets
b. Emperor rice laddu
c. Almond & Pistachio Barfi
d. Coconut Jaggery Ladoo
Coconut Barfi
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated coconut
- 1 cup condensed milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoons ghee
Method:
- Heat ghee in a pan and add grated coconut.
- Add condensed milk and sugar, and cook on low heat.
- Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well.
- Pour the mixture onto a greased plate and flatten it.
- Cut into squares or diamonds once it cools.
Coconut Barfi is a quick and easy sweet that is loved by many. Its rich coconut flavor and soft texture make it an irresistible treat for Raksha Bandhan.
Gulab Jamun Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- For the base:
- 200g digestive biscuits
- 100g melted butter
- For the filling:
- 250g cream cheese
- 200ml heavy cream
- 100g sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk powder
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
- 6-8 ready-made gulab jamuns
Method:
- Prepare the Base: Crush the digestive biscuits and mix them with melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, milk powder, and condensed milk, and continue to beat until well combined. Fold in the heavy cream and vanilla extract.
- Assemble the Cheesecake: Pour half of the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust. Cut the gulab jamuns in half and arrange them over the filling. Pour the remaining cheesecake mixture on top, spreading it evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set. Serve chilled, garnished with extra gulab jamuns and a drizzle of rose syrup.
Why it works: The creamy, tangy cheesecake perfectly complements the rich, syrupy gulab jamuns, creating a dessert that’s both familiar and novel.
Mango Kulfi Parfait
Ingredients:
- For the kulfi mixture:
- 1 can (400g) condensed milk
- 1 can (400g) evaporated milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mango puree
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- For the parfait layers:
- 1 cup crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers
- Fresh mango cubes
Method:
- Prepare the Kulfi Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, mango puree, cardamom powder, and chopped pistachios. Freeze the mixture for 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals.
- Assemble the Parfait: In serving glasses, layer the crushed biscuits, followed by a layer of semi-frozen kulfi mixture, and then a layer of fresh mango cubes. Repeat the layers until the glasses are filled.
- Freeze and Serve: Freeze the parfaits for another 2 hours, or until fully set. Garnish with additional pistachios and mango cubes before serving.
Why it works: This dessert combines the creamy richness of traditional kulfi with the fresh, tropical flavor of mangoes, layered in a visually appealing parfait that is as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Malpua
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup semolina
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- Ghee for frying
- Sugar syrup (1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water)
Method:
- Mix all-purpose flour, semolina, milk, sugar, and fennel seeds to make a smooth batter.
- Heat ghee in a pan and pour a small ladleful of batter to form small pancakes.
- Fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Dip the fried malpuas in warm sugar syrup and serve.
Malpua is a traditional Indian dessert that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Its unique flavor and texture make it a delightful addition to the Raksha Bandhan menu.
Masala Chai Tiramisu
Ingredients:
- For the chai syrup:
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons loose black tea
- 1 teaspoon chai masala (spice mix)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- For the mascarpone mixture:
- 250g mascarpone cheese
- 200ml heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For assembly:
- 1 packet of ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi)
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Method:
- Prepare the Chai Syrup: Bring water to a boil and add the tea, chai masala, and sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes, then strain and let cool.
- Prepare the Mascarpone Mixture: In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Tiramisu: Dip the ladyfinger biscuits in the cooled chai syrup and arrange them in a single layer in a serving dish. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the biscuits. Repeat with another layer of dipped biscuits and the remaining mascarpone mixture.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.
Why it works: The robust flavors of masala chai infuse the classic Italian dessert with a warm, spicy twist, making it a perfect fusion treat for Raksha Bandhan.
Raksha Bandhan is a time to celebrate the cherished bond between siblings, and sweets play an integral part in this joyous occasion. From the rich and nutty Kaju Katli to the syrupy Rasgulla, each sweet brings its unique flavor and charm to the festivities. By preparing these delightful sweets at home, you can add a personal touch to the celebration and create lasting memories with your loved ones. So, this Raksha Bandhan, indulge in these delicious sweets and make the day even more special and memorable for your family.
