A Sweet Fusion: Cardamom-Carrot Blondies for Diwali
Diwali, the vibrant Hindu Festival of Lights, brings warmth and light not only to homes but also to hearts. Growing up, I remember the excitement that would fill the air during this beautiful festival. Each year, my family would don our brightest new clothes and step out to visit friends and family, ensuring that we brought with us the sweetest treats. The act of sharing sweets, or mithai, is a cherished tradition, as it symbolizes a sweet start to the new year, and who better to capture this essence than Hetal Vasavada?
Hetal, the creative mind behind the acclaimed cooking blog Milk and Cardamom, has recently shared her latest project—her new cookbook titled Desi Bakes. With its delightful blend of traditional flavors and modern techniques, this book reimagines classic Indian desserts through a Western lens. For Hetal, these recipes are more than just food; they are a reflection of her identity as part of the huge generation of first-generation Indian-Americans living in the States.
A Culinary Reflection
Hetal’s journey into the world of sweets began with her family’s rich tradition around Diwali. Each Diwali, her family prepared a variety of desserts that were culturally significant. However, as she grew older, Hetal found herself wanting to merge her cultural heritage with the flavors and textures of Western desserts. In her book, she does precisely that: she presents modern, delectable desserts inspired by the mithai of her childhood, while ensuring inclusivity with American tastes.
She takes traditional treats like gajar ka halwa, typically a warm pudding of carrots and cardamom, and transforms it into a luscious batch of cardamom-spiced carrot blondies. By employing finely shredded carrots with roasted cashews in a moist batter, she not only captures the traditional essence but also elevates it with a cream cheese frosting—a twist that some of her family may find a tad unconventional.
“The best compliment you can get from an Asian mom is, ‘It’s not too sweet,’” Hetal shares, fondly recalling her mother’s discerning reactions to her culinary experiments.
This philosophy of balance was key to her creations; she has deliberately adjusted sugar levels to respect the palates of her family while introducing flavors that push boundaries without losing cultural authenticity.
Sweet and spiced, a delightful treat for Diwali!
Crafting the Perfect Blondie
At the heart of Desi Bakes is the recipe for her Gajar Ka Halwa Blondies. These blondies are a celebration of the flavors that characterize the festive season, layered with subtle nuances that echo the classic desserts from her childhood.
Ingredients
For anyone aiming to recreate this mouthwatering dish, here’s a taste of what you’ll need:
- For the Blondies: Unsalted butter, whole milk powder, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, kosher salt, freshly ground cardamom, finely grated carrots, all-purpose flour, and unsalted roasted cashews.
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, kosher salt, fresh lemon juice, and edible flower petals for ribbon-like decorations.
A glimpse into the recipe reveals the artful process of making these blondies, beginning with browning the butter—an essential step that adds depth and a nutty aroma, before blending it with the perfect combination of carefully measured ingredients.
A Celebration in Every Bite
I’ve had my fair share of desserts, but Hetal’s take on traditional sweets is both nostalgic and innovative. Each bite of her cardamom-spiced carrot blondies reveals a story. The softness of the blondie contrasts with the crunchy texture of cashews, and the frosting offers a creamy touch that represents modern American dessert culture beautifully. This blend of influences speaks to both her experience and her ability to create something unique.
As Diwali approaches, I find myself reflecting on how food binds us during festive times. Whether it’s celebrating with family around a table filled with sweets or gifting colorful boxes of mithai to loved ones, these moments draw deep connections to our roots.
Celebrating the festival with a blend of tradition and modernity feels refreshing, much like these blondies. For those of you looking to add a unique twist to your Diwali celebrations this year, I highly recommend diving into the world of Hetal’s Desi Bakes cookbook—there’s creativity and sweetness waiting at every turn.
A joyful Diwali celebration filled with lights and sweet treats.
In our ever-evolving culinary landscape, Hetal Vasavada’s approach is a reminder that the sweetest celebrations can come from blending the old with the new. Whether you’re familiar with traditional Indian desserts or looking to explore new flavors, her recipes are sure to inspire you to create meaningful moments that honor tradition while embracing the sweet surprises of contemporary baking.
