There’s no age bar for enjoying candy. For many grownups, a tangy-sweet candy or chewy taffy is a reminder of times when pocket money was Rs10, and a portion was set aside for candies. On National Candy Day, try out these three simple DIY recipes — and store and enjoy the tasty treats anytime.
The best part? They are all sugar-free and made with home ingredients — good for your health and great for your mood!
Ginger and turmeric candy
Homemade ginger and turmeric candy Shutterstock (Representational image)
Spicy and sweet — a candy that you can’t have just one.
Ingredients
- Grated ginger: 1 small cup
- Grated raw turmeric: ½ of small cup
- Jaggery powder: 1 medium cup
- Black peppercorns (crushed): 2-3 tablespoons
- Crushed cloves: 1 teaspoon
- Black salt: 2 teaspoons
- Butter paper or silicone mould
Recipe
- Add jaggery in a non-stick pan and let it melt by cooking for 3-5 minutes on low flame
- Add grated ginger and turmeric, along with the other ingredients like crushed black peppercorns, cloves and salt. Mix well
- Cook until the jaggery mixture has thickened and the corners are leaving the pan. Check the taste — it should be hot and sweet
- Pour the mixture on a butter paper or a silicone mould and allow it to cool
- Cut into small cubes and pour in an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy
Jaggery and tamarind candy
You just can't resist this droolworthy candy Shutterstock (Representational image)
An ode to the tiktiki lozenge of the ’90s.
Ingredients
- Tamarind pulp: 100gm
- Jaggery powder: 300gm
- Rock salt: To taste
- Black pepper powder: 2 teaspoons
- Butter paper or silicone mould
Recipe
- Deseed the tamarind pulp and remove any twigs. Add water in small quantities to make a thick, smooth paste
- In a nonstick pan, add jaggery powder and let it cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame
- Add the tamarind pulp, rock salt and black pepper powder. Mix well
- Cook until the mixture has thickened and is separating from the pan
- Pour on a butter paper or silicone mould and let it cool. Cut in cubes, tumble into an airtight container and enjoy
Mixed seeds and nuts bar
A healthy snack that can lift your spirit anytime Shutterstock (Representational image)
A crunchy power snack for small hunger pangs.
Ingredients
- Mixed seeds: 200gm
- Mixed dry fruits: 250gm
- Peanuts: 100gm
- Jaggery powder: 500gm
- Black salt: 1 teaspoon
- Butter paper or silicone mould
Recipe
- Dry roast peanuts and remove the skin
- Roughly chop the dry fruits
- Add jaggery to a nonstick pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on flow flame
- Add the mixed nuts, chopped dry fruits and peanuts
- Add salt and mix well. Cook until the mixture is thick and the corners are leaving the pan
- Pour on a butter paper or silicone mould. Allow the mixture to cool down. Cut into bars or cubes and enjoy
NOTE:
1. You can also use cookie cutters to give the candies fun shapes
2. You can add straws after pouring the batter on butter paper for you very own candy popsicles