Sweta Patel
November 1, 2020
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A Diwali dessert box is basically my version of a traditional mithai box, but with a little more personality.
Instead of filling the entire box with one type of Indian sweet, I like mixing homemade desserts with chocolates, cookies, snacks, nuts, and little treats. It gives everyone something to grab and makes the box feel more like a little collection of all your favorite things.
And because this is a fusion Diwali dessert box, there are no rules. You can combine classic Indian flavors with desserts you already love and create something completely your own.
That’s honestly my favorite part about making fusion desserts. You get the flavors and nostalgia of Indian sweets, but in a way that feels fun, unexpected, and very much my style.
The best part about putting together a Diwali gift box is that you can make it as simple or as over the top as you want. Here are some of my favorite things to include:
A little salty snack is always a good idea when the rest of the box is sweet.
Add things like:
That sweet and salty combination makes the box so much more fun to snack through.
Nuts are an easy way to fill in some of the empty spaces in the box while adding a little something savory.
Almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, dates, and dried fruit all work really well. You can also use small bags or containers of flavored nuts if you want to add another layer of flavor.
You don’t need a fancy gift box or professional packaging to make this look special.
Start with a sturdy box or tray and add some shredded paper, tissue paper, or food safe filler to create a base. Then start with your larger items first.
I like to place the biggest desserts toward the back or in the center of the box and then fill in the smaller spaces with chocolates, nuts, cookies, and snacks.
Think of it almost like putting together a little dessert charcuterie board.Use different sizes and heights to make the box look full without having to completely pack it with food.
If you’re making multiple boxes, I recommend setting up an assembly line. Have all of your desserts portioned out, your boxes open, and your packaging ready to go. It makes putting together several Diwali gift boxes so much easier.
Here are a couple of fusion + Indian desserts you can use to fill your Diwali box.
Don’t overthink it. This doesn’t have to be perfect. The whole point is to make something thoughtful that people will actually enjoy eating.
Mix homemade and store bought. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying a few things for your box. Making one or two special desserts yourself and filling in the rest with your favorite treats saves so much time.
Think about texture. Add something soft, something crunchy, something chewy, and something chocolatey. It makes every bite a little different.
Use small portions. You don’t need a giant piece of every dessert. Mini desserts and bite sized treats are perfect for gifting and let you fit more variety into the box.
Add a personal touch. A handwritten Diwali card, a little ribbon, a tag with the recipient’s name, or even a small diya can make the box feel extra special.
The beauty of a Diwali dessert box is that there really isn’t a right or wrong way to make one.You can keep it completely traditional with classic Indian mithai, make it entirely fusion, or do a combination of both.
Maybe your box has burfi next to chocolate chip cookies. Maybe it’s filled with gulab jamun donuts and your favorite Indian snacks. Or maybe you want to make a box specifically for someone who doesn’t usually eat traditional Indian sweets.
That’s what I love about this idea. It’s a traditional Diwali gift with a little bit of your own personality mixed in.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably have just as much fun shopping for the boxes and arranging everything as you do making the desserts.
Diwali is all about celebrating, sharing, and spending time with the people you love. Food has always been such a huge part of that for my family, and I love finding new ways to keep those traditions going while still making them my own.
So this year, skip the basic box of sweets and make a Diwali Dessert Box that actually feels like you.
Fill it with your favorite Indian fusion desserts, a few store bought treats, something salty, something chocolatey, and whatever else you think the person receiving it will love.
Because at the end of the day, the best Diwali gifts aren’t necessarily the biggest or fanciest ones. They’re the ones that make someone feel thought of.
Dessert
40 minutes
Breakfast
15 minutes
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