Makar Sankranti 2025: 6 sweet dishes to prepare on Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti, one of the most auspicious Indian festivals, is celebrated with great fervor throughout the country. It marks the harvest season and the sun's entry into the Capricorn zodiac. No festival is complete without traditional sweet delicacies that bring in the festive spirit. Here are 6 sweet dishes to prepare on Makar Sankranti 2025, along with detailed recipes that will bring warmth and joy to your celebrations. (Images courtesy: Canva)

Tilgul laddoo is the signature dish of Makar Sankranti. It is said to symbolize the sweetness of relationships. Sesame seeds and jaggery are the two ingredients that go into the making of these nutrient-rich treats. Dry roast 1 cup of sesame seeds until they turn golden and aromatic. In another pan, heat 3/4 cup of grated jaggery with 2 tablespoons of water until it melts and forms a sticky syrup. Add the roasted sesame seeds to the jaggery syrup, mix well, and let it cool slightly. Grease your palms with ghee and shape the mixture into small, round laddoos. Let them set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

This is a popular winter delicacy, Gur ki Chikki. It is made from jaggery and nuts, crunchy in texture and sweet in taste. It is widely offered during Sankranti. Dry roast 1 cup of peanuts and remove the skin. Boil 1 cup of grated jaggery in a pan with a tablespoon of water until it melts and becomes thick syrup. To check consistency, drop a small amount in cold water; it should harden immediately. Mix the roasted peanuts in the jaggery syrup, stir quickly, and pour the mixture onto a greased surface. Roll it out with a rolling pin and cut into squares before it sets.

Puran Poli is a stuffed flatbread that exudes sweetness and is a traditional Maharashtrian dish for Makar Sankranti. Pressure cook 1 cup of chana dal until soft. Drain excess water and mash the dal. Cook it with 1 cup of jaggery, cardamom powder, and nutmeg until it forms a thick paste (puran). Mix whole wheat flour, water, and a pinch of turmeric to form a dough. Roll out balls stuffed with puran mixture to flatbreads and cook them on a hot tawa smeared with ghee until golden on both sides. Serve warm.

Sakkarai Pongal is a sweet dish from South India, consisting of rice, lentils, jaggery, and ghee. It is mainly prepared as an offering to the sun god. Cook 1 cup of rice and 1/4 cup of moong dal with 3 cups of water together until soft. In another pan, melt a cup of jaggery with some water to create a syrup and add it to the cooked mixture of rice and dal, and stir continuously. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee, some cardamom powder, cashews, and raisins; mix well, and serve it hot.

A Bengali delicacy, Patishapta is soft, thin crepe filled with sweet coconut and jaggery filling. For the filling, cook 1 cup grated coconut with 1/2 cup jaggery and a pinch of cardamom powder till thickened. For crepes, prepare batter by mixing together 1 cup of rice flour, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, and 1 cup of milk. Heat a non-stick pan, add a ladleful of batter, and spread it very thin. Lightly cook, add the filling to the center, and fold the crepe. Serve warm with a drizzle of condensed milk.

Gur ka Halwa is a comforting dessert made from semolina, jaggery, and ghee. It is apt for the winter season. Heat 1/2 cup of ghee in a pan and roast 1 cup of semolina until golden and aromatic. Then, in another pan, dissolve 1 cup of jaggery in 2 cups of water and boil it. The jaggery syrup is to be slowly poured into the roasted semolina in such a manner that it would not form any lumps while stirring. Now, cook until it thickens up and the ghee starts to separate. Decorate with chopped nuts and serve hot.

These six sweet dishes are the epitome of Makar Sankranti, with traditional flavors and rich cultural significance. From the nutty Tilgul Laddoo to the creamy Sweet Pongal, these recipes will make your celebrations even more special. Prepare these delights and enjoy the festive vibes with your loved ones!