Guilt-free festive dessert treats every kid will love

New Delhi: In India, festivals like Karwa Chauth, Deepawali and Dev Diwali, along with the wedding season, are lining up in the coming days. It’s a nation where every celebration is incomplete without sweet dishes. During this festive season, many varieties of sweets are brought into the home, and children just love these. Whereas concerned mothers are never fond of serving the sweets bought from markets due to their high sugar content and their impact on their health, children’s love for desserts can’t be ignored.

But we have a solution. Here are a few healthy homemade dessert recipes which are even easier to prepare. On top of that, children can indulge in these desserts without leaving their mom guilty. Each recipe is enriched with natural ingredients, free from refined sugar, and full of goodness to keep little tummies happy and healthy. Dive deeper to know more about the wholesome dessert recipes that kids will love and moms will trust.

Also Read

Turn heads this festive season with these gorgeous blouse back designs

Festive shopping guide: Top wholesale bangle markets in Delhi

Karwa Chauth 2025 Guide: 5 Things every first-time fasting woman should avoid

Here is the list of ingredients and cooking methods for as many as 6 dessert recipes.

1. Chocolate ragi cake

Ragi is rich in calcium, iron and antioxidants, which strengthen bones and support overall growth.

Ingredients

1 Cup seedless dates

1 Cup ragi flour

1/2 Cup whole wheat flour

2 Tbsp cocoa powder

1/2 Tbsp baking soda

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 Cup oil or ghee

1/2 Cup milk

Method

1. Soak the seedless dates in warm milk for 30 minutes and make them into a smooth paste.

2. In a bowl, combine ragi flour, whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder.

3. Add the date paste, oil or ghee and milk to form a smooth batter.

4. Pour into a greased tin and bake. It’s some.

2. Banana oats cookies

Oats are full of fibre, which will keep kids full for a longer duration and will support healthy digestion.

Ingredients

2 Ripe bananas

1 Cup rolled oats

1/4 Cup of raisins

Chopped dates (optional)

1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

1 Cup nuts or choco chips

Method

1. Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl and add rolled oats.

2. Combine well and fold in raisins or chopped dates for natural sweetness.

3. You can add cinnamon and a handful of nuts or choco chips.

4. Scoop tiny portions onto a lined baking tray, flatten them slightly, and bake at 180 ℃ for 12 to 15 minutes. Let them cool.

3. Besan jaggery barfi or laddu

Besan provides protein and energy, while jaggery acts as a natural sweetener that boosts immunity and helps in digestion.

Ingredients

1 Cup besan or gram flour

2-3 Tbsp ghee

1/2 Cup of jaggery

Cardamom powder

1/2 Chopped nuts

Method

1. Dry roast besan on a low flame in ghee.

2. Add grated or powdered jaggery and combine well until it melts and blends with the besan.

3. Add cardamom powder and a handful of chopped nuts.

4. For laddoos, roll the mixture into small balls while warm, or spread it on a greased plate and cut into barfi.

4. Carrot kheer

Carrots’ beta-carotene and Vitamin A are good for eyesight and immunity, and dates offer iron and fibre. Milk adds protein and calcium.

Ingredients

2 Carrots

2 Cups of milk

6-8 Dates

Cardamom powder

1/2 Cup nuts

Method

1. Peel and grate the medium-sized carrots and cook them in milk until they turn soft.

2. Blend the cooked carrots into a smooth paste and return them to the pan with the remaining milk.

3. Add soaked and blended dates for natural sweetness, a pinch of cardamom powder for flavour, and simmer for a few minutes until creamy.

4. Garnish with chopped nuts.

5. Wheat and dates cake

Dates are rich in iron, fibre, and essential minerals, making them a healthier alternative to sugary cakes.

Ingredients

1 cup of seedless dates

1 Cup whole wheat flour

1/2 Tbsp baking soda

1 Tbsn baking powder

Cinnamon

1/4 Cup oil or ghee

1/2 Cup of milk

Methods

1. Soak the seedless dates in warm milk for 30 minutes and then blend into a smooth paste.

2. In a bowl, mix the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of cinnamon.

3. Add the date paste along with oil or ghee, milk and fold gently into a smooth batter.

4. Bake at 180 ℃ for 25 to 30 minutes

6. Chia seeds pudding

Chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and protein, while ragi is rich in calcium and iron, making bones strong.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp chia seeds

250 ml milk or almond milk

3-5 Soaked dates

1 Tbsp nut butter

1 Tbsp of oats

Seeds or nuts

(Powdered if making for kids less than 3 years)

Method

1. Soak chia seeds in milk or almond milk overnight.

2. Blend the soaked dates into a paste and mix them into the base for natural sweetness.

3. Add the nut butter, oats, powdered seeds or nuts.

4. Top it with your favourite fruits, while opting for banana, strawberries and blueberries is best as these taste better.

Feel the festive spirit in a true sense by making these six awesome and healthy desserts for kids, and stop feeling guilty without compromising on your little ones' health.