Diwali, often referred to as the festival of lights, is synonymous with delectable cakes. Expat.com is here to share three must-have Diwali cake recipes that will tantalize your taste buds.
Coconut ladoo
These delectable little treats, which have no connection to traditional ladoos, are a beloved Diwali tradition in Mauritius. They are crafted by blending grated coconut, sugar, and milk before shaping them into delightful balls.
Ingredients:
- 200 grams of grated coconut
- 100 grams of caster sugar
- 125 ml of sweetened condensed milk
- 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon) of cardamom powder (optional for flavor)
- A small amount of vegetable oil
Instructions:
1. Gently toast the shredded coconut in a pan over low heat for 3-5 minutes.
2. Mix the toasted coconut with powdered sugar, followed by the milk.
3. Continue cooking over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly until the mixture thickens.
4. Once it reaches the desired consistency, remove it from heat and allow it to cool.
5. Then, coat your hands with a little oil and shape the cooled mixture into small balls. Voilà, your delicious ladoos are ready to be savored!
Barfi
Barfi, typically colorful and cubed, are sweet, creamy confections made from milk.
Ingredients:
- 400 grams of powdered milk
- 20 cl of fresh cream
- 200 grams of caster sugar
- 120 ml of water
- 1 teaspoon of cardamom
- Slivered almonds
- Powdered almonds (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pan, combine the powdered milk with the cream to form a dough ball.
2. In another saucepan, prepare a syrup by heating the powdered sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add this sugar syrup to the dough, and cook over medium heat while stirring to avoid lumps, adding cardamom powder for flavor.
4. If the mixture is too liquid, you can add more almond powder.
5. Once the dough comes away from the sides of the pan and forms a uniform mass, remove it from heat.
6. Pour the mixture onto a greased tray, spread it evenly, and sprinkle with flaked almonds if desired.
7. Allow it to cool at room temperature for a few hours to harden, then cut it into squares or diamonds.
Gato patate
Gato Patate is a scrumptious fried sweet potato pastry filled with coconut and sometimes flavored with cardamom.
Ingredients:
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
- 150 grams of caster sugar
- 300 grams of flour
- 150 grams of shredded coconut
- ½ tablespoon of cardamom
- A small amount of frying oil
Instructions:
1. Begin by cooking your sweet potatoes in boiling water for at least 20 minutes, then drain and mash them with a fork.
2. While the sweet potatoes cool, prepare your filling in a bowl by mixing shredded coconut, sugar, and cardamom.
3. Incorporate the flour into the mashed sweet potato until you have a dough that is not overly sticky.
4. Divide the dough into balls and flatten them with a rolling pin to a thickness of 2-3 mm.
5. Fill each small round of dough with a teaspoon of the filling, then carefully seal the edges using the back of a fork to prevent any escape during baking.
6. Finally, heat some frying oil in a pan and fry your Gato Patate on each side until they turn golden-brown.
