Nepali festivals and sweets have a long-standing connection. Dishes prepared for specific festivals carry cultural and family significance.
Sel roti and anarsa are traditionally prepared during Tihar, while lakhmari is associated with weddings. Sweets such as phini, khurma and khajuri are also popular traditional treats prepared on various occasions and have become an integral part of Nepali cuisine.
Although a wide variety of sweets in different flavours are now available in the market, traditional sweets have their own distinctive taste and appeal.
Many of these delicacies can also be prepared at home. Made using ingredients such as rice flour, ghee, sugar, all-purpose flour and various spices, they do not require complicated preparation methods.
Here are some traditional sweets you can easily make at home.
Sel Roti
Sel roti is one of Nepal’s most popular traditional foods, particularly during Tihar. Although it is not prepared regularly throughout the year, most households make it during the festival and share it with relatives and neighbours.
A thick batter is prepared by mixing rice flour with ghee, sugar and an appropriate amount of water. The batter is then poured in a circular shape into hot oil or ghee and deep-fried. Sel roti, which is lightly brown on the outside and soft inside, can be easily prepared at home.
Anarsa
Anarsa is another traditional sweet prepared during Tihar. Usually made alongside sel roti, it is prepared using rice flour and sugar. However, it can also be enjoyed at other times of the year.
To make anarsa, rice flour and sugar are mixed and kneaded into a soft dough. Small portions are then shaped into round, flat discs by hand. Sesame seeds are sprinkled on top before the discs are fried in hot ghee or oil until golden brown.
Phini
Phini is a traditional layered bread made using all-purpose flour and ghee. Its distinctive layered texture and rich ghee flavour make it special. It is commonly prepared during Tihar and other festivals.
The flour is kneaded into dough, and a mixture containing ghee is used to create multiple layers. The dough is then shaped and cooked. For those who enjoy the taste of ghee, phini offers a combination of the flavours of both bread and sweets.
Khurma Roti
Khurma roti is another traditional delicacy prepared during Tihar. Made using rice flour, all-purpose flour and ghee, this sweet treat has a crunchy texture.
Rice is first ground into fine flour and mixed with all-purpose flour and other required ingredients to make a dough. It is then cut into small pieces or shaped into decorative patterns before being fried in oil. Khurma is also prepared as a chokha (ritually pure) food and is especially popular during festivals.
Khajuri (Thekuwa)
Khajuri, also known as thekuwa, is a traditional sweet made by kneading flour with ghee and sugar. It is particularly popular during Tihar and Chhath.
To prepare it, flour is mixed with ghee and sugar and kneaded into a dough. Small portions are shaped by hand or pressed into decorative patterns using special moulds. They are then fried in hot oil until cooked. The moulds used to create decorative patterns are also readily available in the market.
