Raksha Bandhan recipes: Low-calorie Indian dessert recipes to enjoy guilt-free

Raksha Bandhan is here and the joyous festival celebrating the bond brothers and sisters share is incomplete without something sweet. Now it's kind of easy to get a box of sweets or chocolates from a store around your house. But if you want to add a personal touch along with avoiding too much sugar, you have got to try these delicious Indian dessert recipes. The ingredients are a handful and may already be present at your house. Plus, the preparation is hassle free and does not require much time. So what are we waiting for? Hit the kitchen and try these beautiful recipes to enjoy with your loved ones.

These are super delicious and healthy with both soft and nutty texture. You can prepare them in the morning and serve after the guests arrive. The use of chocolate will make it a favourite among kids.

1. First roast 2 cups of ragi flour with 1.5 tbsp ghee for a few minutes.
2. Now, add finely ground ½ cup cashew nuts, ½ cup almonds and ½ cup walnuts to it, and roast for some more time.
3. Switch off the flame and add 3/4th cup jaggery & 1/4th tsp cardamom powder to this nutty mix.
4. Once cooled, blend the mixture in a blender and then roll it into balls.
5. Coat them with dark chocolate or cocoa powder and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.
6. Chill in the fridge and serve when ready.

Sweet potato halwa is super healthy and delicious. Since these are sweet in themselves, you will not require too much added sugar for this recipe.

1. Clean and wash 3 medium sized sweet potatoes and pressure-cook for 3 to 4 whistles.
2. Once done, peel and mash the sweet potatoes.
3. Heat 1 tsp ghee in a non-stick pan, add the mashed sweet potatoes and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. To this, add 3/4 cup low-fat milk, 1 tbsp jaggery powder, 1/4 tsp cardamom powder and ½ cup of water.
5. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring that the mixture is not completely dry.
6. Add some saffron strands along with 2 tbsp chopped almonds, cashew nuts and pistachios. Serve hot.

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Forget packaged kaju katlis, this delicious homemade burfi will be loved by all. What’s more, there is no added sugar and lots of healthy nuts!

1. Take 1/4th cup each of loosely chopped pistachio, almonds and walnuts. Roast these nuts for about 2-3 mins and set aside.
2. Now blend 1 cup dates and 1 cup dried figs in a blender.
3. Transfer the mixture to a hot pan with 1 tbsp milk and 1 tsp ghee.
4. Once the mixture becomes a little soft, add the roasted nuts and let it set in a dish.
5. Cut into square or diamond burfi pieces and enjoy with your family.

Give a western twist to your desi kheer recipe by using apples and quinoa. This recipe is healthier than the traditional seviyan or rice kheer.

1. Take a pan and heat 1 teaspoon ghee. Add 1 finely chopped apple to this.
2. Saute for 3-4 minutes till the apple becomes slightly soft and mushy.
3. Now, add 1 ½ cups of cooked quinoa, 750 ml skimmed milk, 8-10 saffron strands and 1 teaspoon crushed cardamom.
4. Bring the milk to a boil and simmer for 30-40 minutes till the milk reduces and the kheer thickens.
5. Add ¼ cup sugar and stir till it dissolves.
6. Cool the kheer to room temperature, and refrigerate for an hour.
7. Serve chilled, topped with 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios and some apple slices.

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Everyone loves a rich and creamy kulfi, especially in the summer season. Here is a yummy kulfi recipe free of refined sugar, perfect to make at home for rakhi.

1. Take 1 cup blanched almonds and grind them into a thick paste.
2. Roast 15-20 pistachios and chop them coarsely.
3. In a bowl, combine the almond paste with 1 1/2 cup condensed milk and 6 tbsp cream.
4. We also need to add 1/4 cup milk, but before you mix it, infuse it with some strands of saffron.
5. Add the chopped pistachios and mix well.
6. Set them in a matki in the fridge for a few hours, cover it with butter paper.
7. Serve cold.