12 Types of Diwali Burfi

Prashant Dhingra

Burfi is a fudge-like sweet set in a tray and cut into squares or diamonds, which makes it the backbone of Diwali gift boxes.

By Prashant Dhingra

See all 12 sweets Keeping guide

Chart titled 12 Types of Diwali Burfi, showing Kaju Katli, Pista Burfi, Coconut Burfi, Chocolate Burfi, Badam Burfi, Mango Burfi, Rose Burfi, Kesari Burfi, Mawa Burfi, Anjeer Burfi, Besan Burfi, Tri-Color Burfi

In short

Burfi is a fudge-like sweet set in a tray and cut into squares or diamonds, which makes it the backbone of Diwali gift boxes. Kaju katli, mawa, besan and coconut burfi are the classics. Pista, badam, kesari, rose and mango add flavor and color, chocolate and tri-color are the modern favorites, and anjeer burfi is the no-added-sugar option.

About burfi

Most burfis start from a base of khoya (mawa), nuts, gram flour or coconut cooked with sugar until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. Nut-based burfis such as kaju katli and anjeer burfi keep best for gifting; khoya burfis need refrigeration after a few days.

The 12 sweets

What each one is, what it is made of, and how long it keeps.

01 of 12
Kaju Katli
Barfi & fudgeKeeps 2+ weeks
Thin cashew fudge cut into diamonds and topped with silver leaf. Probably India's most gifted Diwali sweet.

Made with: Cashews, sugar, ghee, silver leaf
02 of 12
Pista Burfi
Barfi & fudgeKeeps about a week
Pistachio burfi with a natural green color and a rich, nutty flavor.

Made with: Pistachios, sugar or khoya
03 of 12
Coconut Burfi
Barfi & fudgeKeeps about a week
Coconut cooked with sugar and milk, set and cut.

Made with: Coconut, sugar, milk, cardamom
04 of 12
Chocolate Burfi
Barfi & fudgeKeeps about a week
Khoya burfi with a cocoa layer; often made two-toned.

Made with: Khoya, cocoa, sugar
05 of 12
Badam Burfi
Barfi & fudgeKeeps 2+ weeks
Ground almonds cooked with sugar; firm, rich and long-keeping.

Made with: Almonds, sugar, ghee
06 of 12
Mango Burfi
Barfi & fudgeRefrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Burfi flavored with mango pulp; fruity and soft.

Made with: Mango pulp, khoya or coconut, sugar
07 of 12
Rose Burfi
Barfi & fudgeRefrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Khoya burfi flavored and colored with rose.

Made with: Khoya, rose syrup or petals, sugar
08 of 12
Kesari Burfi
Barfi & fudgeRefrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Saffron-flavored khoya burfi with a bright orange color.

Made with: Khoya, saffron, sugar
09 of 12
Mawa Burfi
Barfi & fudgeRefrigerate, 2 to 4 days
The classic: khoya cooked with sugar and cardamom until it sets.

Made with: Khoya (mawa), sugar, cardamom
10 of 12
Anjeer Burfi
Barfi & fudgeKeeps 2+ weeks
Figs and nuts pressed together with no added sugar.

Made with: Dried figs, dates, nuts
11 of 12
Besan Burfi
Barfi & fudgeKeeps 2+ weeks
Roasted gram flour and sugar, set and cut into squares.

Made with: Gram flour, ghee, sugar
12 of 12
Tri-Color Burfi
Barfi & fudgeRefrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Three layers of saffron, white and green, popular for festive and national-day boxes.

Made with: Khoya or coconut, saffron, pistachio

At a glance: type and keeping time

Make the long-keeping sweets first and the milk-based ones last. Keeping times are typical for homemade sweets in an airtight container in a cool kitchen; shop-bought sweets may differ.

Sweet	Type	Keeps
Kaju Katli	Barfi & fudge	Keeps 2+ weeks
Pista Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Keeps about a week
Coconut Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Keeps about a week
Chocolate Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Keeps about a week
Badam Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Keeps 2+ weeks
Mango Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Refrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Rose Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Refrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Kesari Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Refrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Mawa Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Refrigerate, 2 to 4 days
Anjeer Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Keeps 2+ weeks
Besan Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Keeps 2+ weeks
Tri-Color Burfi	Barfi & fudge	Refrigerate, 2 to 4 days

Related sweets in other states

Besan Burfi: besan roasted in ghee and set with sugar. Related: Mysore Pak (Karnataka), Mysore Pak (Tamil Nadu), Mohanthal (Gujarat), Mohanthal (Rajasthan), Magaj (Gujarat), Besan Chakki (Rajasthan).

Frequently asked questions

What are the most popular Diwali burfi?

Burfi is a fudge-like sweet set in a tray and cut into squares or diamonds, which makes it the backbone of Diwali gift boxes. Kaju katli, mawa, besan and coconut burfi are the classics. Pista, badam, kesari, rose and mango add flavor and color, chocolate and tri-color are the modern favorites, and anjeer burfi is the no-added-sugar option.

Which Diwali burfi keep longest for gifting?

Kaju Katli, Badam Burfi, Anjeer Burfi and Besan Burfi keep for two weeks or more in an airtight container, so they can be made first and are the safest to gift or courier.

Which Diwali burfi need to be made last or refrigerated?

Mango Burfi, Rose Burfi, Kesari Burfi, Mawa Burfi and Tri-Color Burfi are milk-, chhena-, curd- or fresh-coconut based or best served warm. Make them a day or two ahead at most, refrigerate, and serve within a few days.

Which other states make similar sweets?

Gram flour and ghee fudges: Mysore Pak (Karnataka), Mysore Pak (Tamil Nadu), Mohanthal (Gujarat), Mohanthal (Rajasthan), Magaj (Gujarat), Besan Chakki (Rajasthan).