For a Diwali Treat with an American Twist: Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Blondies

Desserts play an essential role in the vibrant celebrations of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and Hetal Vasavada is excited to share her unique creations. Each year, her family would embrace the tradition of Diwali, celebrating the joyous occasion with sweet treats known as mithai, all while donning their best outfits and ensuring their home was spotless. This year, Vasavada has released a new cookbook titled Desi Bakes, which features a variety of recipes that blend traditional Indian flavors with Western baking techniques.

An innovative approach to traditional Diwali sweets.

The Essence of Diwali Desserts

Traditionally, Diwali desserts vary from fried dough delicacies like gulab jamun—syrupy milk-fat doughnuts flavored with cinnamon and cardamom—to nut-based confectioneries like kaju katli, which is a delightful cashew fudge soaked in syrup. There are also rich puddings such as gajar ka halwa, made from finely grated carrots and slow-cooked with ghee, sugar, and nuts. However, in Desi Bakes, Hetal Vasavada does not adhere to strict traditional recipes but rather offers her version of these treasures.

A Unique Blend of Cultures

Vasavada, a first-generation Indian-American, beautifully captures her childhood cravings and the culinary traditions of her upbringing. In her cookbook, she creatively transforms familiar Indian sweets into accessible baked goods, leading to recipes like her cardamom-spiced carrot blondies. These blondies are inspired directly by gajar ka halwa, yet they take on a modern American twist.

“My desserts are really just an amalgamation of the stuff I wanted as a kid and what I ended up getting as a kid,” she shares.

Recipe Spotlight: Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Blondies

To prepare these delectable blondies, the recipe merges a classic carrot cake base with the essence of gajar ka halwa. With finely grated carrots incorporated into the batter, the result is a moist, tender treat enriched by the creaminess of roasted cashews. Vasavada believes that dialing back the sweetness, both in the batter and the signature cream cheese frosting, makes for a perfect balance—a nod to her family’s preference for less sugar.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 sticks (170 g) unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons whole milk powder
• 1 cup (213 g) packed light brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons (75 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
• 1/3 cup (93 g) finely grated carrots
• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (48 g) unsalted roasted cashews
• 7 tablespoons (99 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (56 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• Edible flower petals, for decorating

A delicious blend of tradition and innovation.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter with the milk powder, stirring until the milk solids turn brown and release a nutty aroma. Let cool for 10 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown butter with brown and granulated sugar until well combined, then add in the eggs, vanilla, salt, cardamom, and carrots.
4. Stir in the flour and cashews until just mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges turn a golden brown. Allow it to cool completely.
6. For the frosting, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth. Use a piping bag to decorate each blondie piece.

Celebrating Sweet Beginnings

Vasavada imparts an important philosophy through her creations: starting the year on a sweet note. She passionately believes that these desserts should embody joy and connection during Diwali celebrations. After all, this holiday is about more than just the sweets; it’s about coming together with loved ones and setting positive intentions for the year ahead. As she puts it, “You want to start the year with something sweet, so that the rest of the year is very sweet.”

So this Diwali, consider experimenting with Hetal Vasavada’s innovative recipe and indulge in a delightful treat that captures both Indian tradition and American baking flair.

Discover more of Hetal Vasavada’s inspirations and recipes in her ongoing journey of flavor fusion with desserts that reflect a unique cultural identity!