Holi is more than just a festival of colours; it's also a celebration of flavours, love, and nostalgia. Growing up, this festive in my house was incomplete without the aroma of delicious holi special sweets and snacks wafting from the kitchen, where my mother lovingly prepared an unending array of festive delicacies. The sound of laughing, the brilliant colours smeared on our faces, and the taste of homemade delights made each Holi unforgettable.
I remember waking up to the sound of sizzling ghee, the sweet fragrance of frying gujiyas, and the spicy tang of freshly ground masalas wafting through our home. We would eat to our heart’s content- not until we were full! From the mouth-watering gujiyas to the crunchy mathris and refreshing thandai, each dish evoked the comfort of home and my mother's affection.
Now, living away from home, every year, I recreate those traditional recipes in my own kitchen, capturing the flavours that make Holi seem just right. And to make them as natural as possible, I rely on Umanac's organic products, from their organic honey that sweetens the memories to their pure ghee that adds richness and pink rock salt that perfectly balances every bite.
And just like me, if you want to bring the taste of Holi home with you, here are some classic Holi sweets and snacks crafted with love and the best ingredients from Umanac!
Gujiya: The golden, crispy dumpling with a sweet, nutty filling is a must-have during Holi. These happy pockets are traditionally deep-fried in pure ghee sweets, but they are sweetened with natural honey for a healthier twist!
Ingredients:
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup pure Ghee
• 1 cup khoya (reduced milk)
• ½ cup chopped dry fruits
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• ½ tsp pink rock salt
• Oil or ghee for frying
Method:
• Mix the flour and warm ghee and knead the dough. Give it 30 minutes to relax.
• Prepare khoya, honey, and dry fruits to make the filling.
• Roll out little puris, fill, seal the edges, and deep fry in ghee till golden brown.
• Warm up and drizzle with honey and enjoy!
Thandai: Nothing calms the spirit like a cold glass of Thandai, flavoured with saffron, almonds, and a little honey for natural sweetness, after hours of colour play.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups chilled milk
• 10 almonds, soaked & peeled
• 5 cashews
• 2 tbsp melon seeds
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• A few saffron strands
• 2 tbsp organic honey
Method:
•Mix the cashews, melon seeds, poppy seeds, saffron, fennel, and almonds into a fine paste.
•Stir in milk and honey, then refrigerate for a few hours.
•Jazz up with crushed pistachios and rose petals and serve!
Dahi Bhalla: A soft, fluffy lentil dumplings steeped in creamy yoghurt, sprinkled with spices, and drizzled with honey-sweetened tamarind chutney—is the ideal combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup urad dal (soaked overnight)
• 2 tbsp Rock Salt
• 2 cups thick yogurt
• 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste + 1 tbsp honey
• Chaat masala & coriander for garnish
Method:
• Mix urad dal into a thick batter with a small amount of water and salt.
• Fry tiny amounts in heated oil till golden brown.
• Squeeze out extra water after soaking in warm water for a few minutes.
• Place in a bowl and top with the chilled yoghurt, tamarind-honey sauce, and spices.
Malpua: Imagine deep-fried pancakes sprinkled with pure honey—this is Malpua, a Holi favourite!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup mashed banana (for softness)
• ½ tsp pink Salt
• ½ cup Honey
• Ghee for frying
Method:
• Mix the flour, milk, banana, and salt until the mixture is smooth.
• Shallow-fry in ghee till golden brown.
• Serve with a drizzle of warm honey!
Puran Poli: Puran Poli, a Maharashtrian Holi staple, is a soft, sweet-filled flatbread that melts in your mouth!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup chana dal
• ½ cup Umanac Organic Ghee
• ½ cup jaggery
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ½ tsp Umanac Pink Rock Salt
Method:
• Make a sweet filling by cooking chana dal, mashing it, and adding jaggery.
• Spread out the dal mixture on the mini rotis, then press them flat.
• Cook with ghee on a tawa till golden brown.
Namakpare: Namakpare is the greatest snack option for everyone who enjoys salty foods during Holi!
Ingredients:
• 2 cups wheat flour
• ¼ cup raw Ghee
• 1 tsp Salt
• ½ tsp carom seeds
• Oil for frying
Method:
• Knead in the flour, ghee, salt, and carom seeds.
• Roll it out, cut it into strips, and then crisp it in a deep fryer.
• Keep in an airtight jar for nibbling during the holidays!
Conclusion:
This Holi, let's recreate home-cooked memories with fresh, organic ingredients that taste like maa ke haath ka khana. And with Umanac's organic, pure ingredients, I know I'm bringing only the finest Indian festival food to my Holi celebrations.
So, this Holi, let us create, share, and relive those golden memories—one tasty bite at a time!
Happy Holi 2025!
Disclaimer –
This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
