Raksha Bandhan Sweets | Raksha Bandhan Festival 2022
The celebration of the auspicious Raksha Bandhan Festival in India, signifies the beautiful bond between brothers and sisters. This time it falls on August 11, 2022. While you gear up with the festivities and rituals, here is my signature list of top 30 Sweet Recipes for this day.

No festival in India is complete without mithai (sweetmeats). This compilation is going to help you select the best ones for your siblings and family. So, get ready, choose your favorite and make this year’s Raksha Bandhan, a super special one.
Significance of Raksha Bandhan Festival
One of the most significant ones for Hindus, Raksha Bandhan Festival is celebrated by brothers, sisters and even siblings. On this auspicious day, a sacred thread called ‘rakhi’ is tied on the wrist of the brother by his sister.
She even does a tilak on his forehead, which is sometimes followed by an aarti as well. While doing so, she wishes a life of happiness, prosperity and abundance for him. In return, he showers his love and blessings on her and promises to devotedly protect her in good and bad times.
Brothers also gift their sisters presents. This customary ceremony eventually ends with the sister feeding her brother sweets and their favorite food, and vice versa. On this day, not just siblings, but the entire family comes together and celebrates with joy and full fervor.
In India, Raksha Bandhan celebrations are quite grand. Hence, the sweets that are a part of the celebration, should also be exceptional. This post with my personal selection of 30 Sweet Recipes is specially curated for this day. It will surely enhance the merriment and make this day memorable.
Sweets for Raksha Bandhan Festival
Before you actually jump onto the recipe list, read on to know what exactly is in store for you within each of these 30 Sweet Recipes, that are especially put together for your Raksha Bandhan Festival revelries.
Ladoo and Barfi
This section has the traditional Indian sweet of ladoo and barfi. Ladoo are sweet balls that are made with cereal and lentil flours, grains, nuts and seeds. While barfi is a fudge like sweet that is made with milk, nuts and even lentils or their flours.
I have here listed most of the popular laddu varieties like Besan Ladoo, Motichoor Ladoo etc. If you like sweets made with besan (gram flour), do check Mysore Pak and Besan Ka Halwa.
If you like Rava Laddu and more sweets with semolina, do try Rava Kesari, Milk Kesari and Kesari Bath. Other than these, this collection of Ladoo Recipes will also give you more ideas.
The barfi list has the basic barfi with khoya or mawa; the quintessential coconut barfi and the unique 7 cup barfi with 7 measurements of ingredients.
Kheer, Payasam and Halwa
The trio of Kheer or Payasam and Halwa can be categorized as sweet puddings. This section of sweet puddings include the most popular rice Kheer; the creamy Seviyan or Vermicelli Kheer and it’s South Indian variant Semiya Payasam.
I also list the very North Indian saffron and cardamom flavored style Phirni; and the 4 ingredient South Indian counterpart of the Rice Kheer called Paal Payasam.
In the halwa list, you’ll find the famous Suji ka Halwa with the South Indian variation called Rava Kesari and everyone’s favorite Carrot Halwa. Other well-known choices are Badam Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa and Wheat Halwa.
Popular Indian Sweets
The sweets in this list are some of those that are a preferred choice for both me and my family. It includes Gulab Jamun, Kaju Katli, Milk Peda, Sandesh, Kalakand and Rasgulla. I also share chocolate based desserts like cake, pudding and fudge. You can even try more decadent chocolate desserts from this list of Chocolate Recipes.
So take your pick and make any of your preferred Raksha Bandhan sweet or dessert on this Rakhi Festival. Wish you a Happy Rakshan Bandhan Festival.
Raksha Bandhan Sweets
Ladoo and Barfi Recipes
Kheer, Payasam, Halwa
Easy
15 mins
Suji ka halwa or Sheera is a classic Indian semolina pudding made with sugar, ghee and dry fruits. The recipe I have shared is a family heirloom recipe. We have been making this suji halwa recipe for decades during family get togethers, special occasions & festivals. The sooji halwa recipe can be easily halved, doubled or tripled.
Popular Sweets For Rakhi Festival
This Raksha Bandhan Sweets post from the blog archives first published in August 2017 has been republished and updated on 30th July 2022.