Our favourite Diwali recipes to celebrate the Festival of Lights

Sweet, crumbly and perfect for a Diwali table, these cardamom-laden Gujarati shortbread biscuits are made with ghee, which gives them a rich flavour. You can use butter instead of ghee if you have trouble sourcing it.

Recipe: Nankhatai

Ras malai is a rich indian dessert - often part of a Diwali spread - made using homemade cheese curds (rasgulla), soaked in a sweetened milk mixture (rabri). It takes a few hours to come together as there is a lot of draining and soaking, so make sure you set aside enough time.

Recipe: Ras Malai

A classic Diwali dessert, these fried semolina dumplings are spiced with fragrant cardamom and steeped in sugar syrup. The dumplings can be rewarmed in the syrup to serve, if needed.

Recipe: Gulab Jamun

Often served at Diwali, this celebratory traditional carrot halva recipe is easy to make - it just requires a little patience and a lot of stirring!

Recipe: Gajar Na Halwa

Barfi is an Indian sweet fudge, and this chocolate version tastes heavenly.

Try these recipes from Ruchi's Kitchen or Cook with Manali.

Coconut ladoo is a popular Indian treat made with milk, sugar and coconut.

Try this recipe from Hebbar's Kitchen.

Samosas are also widely eating during Diwali, and the gorgeous, buttery pockets of pastry can be filled with lots of different things.

Try our mushroom samosa recipe.

This popular North Indian snack is basically a delicious spicy, crisp potato pattie.

Try this easy recipe from Pinch of Yum.

Kaju means cashew, and is an Indian dessert similar to barfi.

Try this recipe from Rachna's Kitchen.

Using minced lamb makes this curry quick to make. Choose any curry paste you like (increase the quantity if you want it spicy!) and serve with rice or naan bread.

Recipe: Lamb mince curry

A steaming side of spiced rice completes your curry. Using saffron makes it feel like more of a special occasion and adds a lovely colour.

Recipe: Five spice rice

A good-quality paste and a tin of coconut milk make the base for a great curry - and the sweetness of the mango contrasts well with the spices.

Recipe: Chicken, Mango and Chickpea Curry

One of our favourite vegetarian curries, this is more than just a side to your meaty main – everyone will be reaching for seconds.

Recipe: Mutter Paneer vegetarian curry

Monkfish and prawns make this worthy of a dinner party.

Recipe: Goan fish curry

We’ve used lamb neck fillet, a cheap but flavourful cut that benefits from longer cooking, plus coconut yogurt to add texture as well as flavour to this curry recipe.

Recipe: Coconut lamb curry

This curry cleverly incorporates naans in the dumpling mixture – sure to work as well as impress!

Recipe: Lamb curry and naan dumplings

A flavourful Indian dish that would also well with beef mince.

Recipe: Lamb Keema

A no-fuss curry, which can be adjusted to your taste - add more spice if you like it fiery, and swap cream for coconut milk to make this dairy free.

Recipe: Slow cooker chicken curry

This is similar to the classic butter chicken but with a bit more spice! Marinating it in yogurt ensures the chicken stays moist, tender and flavoursome.

Recipe: Chicken makhani curry

We love this Nepalese twist on a classic lamb curry. Slow cooking with bold beetroot and fragrant, lemony Sichuan peppercorns will make for a tasty talking point.

Recipe: Slow cook lamb and beetroot curry