Make these diabetic-friendly sweets this Diwali!

Make these diabetic-friendly sweets this Diwali!

Mrinalini Sundar

We cannot imagine Diwali without sweets. The texture of kaju katli, the deliciousness of milk sweet, or that soul-stirring feeling with each spoon of kheer is unmatched. Doesn't all of that sound mouth-watering? Now let diabetes not hold you back this Diwali. We are sharing the recipes of three sugary delights that are diabetic-friendly and will help you enjoy these treat guilt-free.

1. Rice phirni:

One of the most celebrated and enjoyed dessert in North India, the phirni is a specialty especially on the day of Diwali. Phirni is a delicious rice pudding that is made with short-grained raw rice, milk, and cardamom powder. You can use 2 cup skimmed milk, 3 tablespoons soaked rice, 3 sugar free pellets, 1/2 teaspoon green cardamom powder. Here are a few steps that will help you enjoy this heavenly sweetness on the day of Diwali.

1. First drain the rice, grind it in a blender with a little bit of milk. The milk is just to make sure the rice gets ground easily.

2. Boil some milk and add the ground rice to the pan. Make sure the mixture comes to a boil.

3. At this point, make sure you lower the heat and stir continuously.

4. Make sure this mixture thickens and you add crushed elaichi and (cardamom powder).

5. Once the pudding cools down - add pistachios and saffron as garnish.

The best part about this pudding is that, it can be had both hot and sweet.

2. Apple rabri:

Rabdi or rabri is yet another North Indian dessert that is made especially for Devi Maa. While rabdi is a rich sweet made with milk and sugar, the apple rabri will take you to cloud nine. What you will need for this recipe is 3 cups low-fat milk, 3/4 grated apples, 1/4 tsp cardamom powder, 1 tsp sugar substitute. Now, here's how to make it:

1. Use a non-stick pan and boil the milk for 10 to 12 minutes.

2. Add the grated apple to the pan and stir continuously.

3. The mixture will thicken, after which add cardamom powder, sugar free substitute.

4. If you wish to garnish, use almonds, saffron, and pistachios.

5. Refrigerate the pudding and serve cold

3. Khajur barfi:

Looking for a delicious yet healthy dessert option this Diwali? Then read no further. Thanks to the dates and raisins used in this sweet - you don't need any sugar! This one is made with 3 cups of dates, 1/4 cup desiccated coconut, 1/2 cup nuts which include almonds, cashews, pecan nuts, and walnuts. You would also need ghee and one tbs poppy seeds. As for how to make it:

1. First remove the seeds from the dates and cut them into pieces. While at it, also cut the nuts into small pieces.

2. Heat the pan and lightly roast the coconut, once that is done, keeps it separately.

3. Next lightly roast the nuts.

4. Use the pan; add ghee, followed by poppy seeds and wait for them to crackle.

5. Then add the dates and cook it in the pan for five minutes. The dates and the poppy seeds will start becoming a little lumpy. Next add the dry fruits to the mix.

6. Take the pan off the heat and let the mixture cool for a while.

7. Now make cylindrical rolls of the mixture and refrigerate it for 40 minutes.

8. Cut the rolls into pieces and garnish them with pistachios.

With each bite, enjoy a little sweet goodness. 

Try the three recipes and make sure to have a sweetlicious Diwali.