Makar Sankranti Sweets You Must Try This Festive Season

Written by smriti dey | January 13, 2026

Makar Sankranti marks a seasonal shift that is closely tied to food traditions across India. As the sun’s movement signals longer days and the end of peak winter, kitchens turn toward ingredients that offer warmth, nourishment, and energy. Sweets prepared during this festival reflect agricultural cycles, regional produce, and age-old cooking practices passed through generations. Each preparation carries meaning beyond taste, often linked to climate, harvest patterns, and local customs.

Festive sweets during this time emphasise natural sweeteners and hearty ingredients suited to the season. Jaggery, sesame seeds, peanuts, rice, and lentils appear frequently, not by coincidence but by design. These components align with winter dietary needs, offering sustained energy and balance. Cooking techniques emphasize slow roasting, careful binding, and precise temperature control to develop depth and texture.

Across regions, variations arise from local crops and culinary preferences, yet the intent remains consistent. The sweets celebrate abundance, transition, and togetherness. Preparation often becomes a shared activity, reinforcing community bonds and festive spirit. Rather than excess, the emphasis stays on tradition, balance, and respect for ingredients. Makar Sankranti sweets stand as culinary markers of the season, blending practicality with celebration and connecting food directly to culture and time.

7 Sankranti Mithai To Make At Home This Harvest Festive Season

1. Til Laddu

Til Laddu is a traditional sweet treat for Sankranti. It tastes great and keeps one warm in the winter. Til laddu is one of the most popular desserts during Makar Sankranti. It is made with jaggery and toasted sesame seeds. These small, round snacks are delicious and nutrient-dense. Sesame and jaggery help keep the body warm and energized during the cold winter.

2. Gajak

This sweet is crunchy and tasty. The sweet is made with peanuts, jaggery, and sesame seeds. People in North India like to eat sweets during Makar Sankranti because the sweet keeps them warm and give them energy in the winter. People usually enjoy the festive sweets in the winter, and it's great for giving to loved ones.

3. Besan Laddu

Besan laddu is a traditional sweet dish for Makar Sankranti. It is made with sugar, gram flour, and ghee. The creamy taste melts in one’s mouth, and the soft texture is nice. People often make this treat for Makar Sankranti and other holidays. It's warm, with a nutty taste that makes for a great treat to have on cold winter days.

4. Payesh

Payesh is a crunchy Bengali treat made with milk, sugar, and rice. It is usually made for Makar Sankranti. The thick, creamy texture makes payesh a delicious dessert that brings warmth and happiness to the celebrations.

5. Coconut Laddu

Coconut Laddu is a simple but delicious dessert for Makar Sankranti that kids will love. Coconut laddu is a simple but delicious treat made with shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk. These little round treats are great for eating at festivals. Coconut Laddu is a popular dish because it tastes great and is easy to make.

6. Chhena Poda

Chhena Poda is a popular baked good made with chhena (cottage cheese), sugar, and cardamom. This sweet comes from Odisha and is perfect for people who like soft, spongy treats. Chhena Poda is a unique and tasty addition to the Makar Sankranti sweets collection. It has a mild, sweet taste and a top that is slightly caramelized.

7. Puran Poli

Puran Poli is a traditional Maharashtrian sweet flatbread filled with jaggery and chana dal (split chickpeas). People often make this rich, sweet dish during Makar Sankranti and serve it with a bit of ghee. People love Puran Poli at festivals because it has so many different flavors.

8. Fini

This Rajasthani dessert, said to originate in Bikaner, adds its own sweetness to Makar Sankranti. The winter treat is made with flour and pure ghee and comes in a variety of flavors. The spaghetti-like dish is a must-have during the January festival known as "Sankrat" here. It tastes just like the desert state. In addition to enjoying special events, all married Rajasthani women are expected to exchange household items.

9. Tirunelveli Halwa

Makar Sankranti, also called Pongal, is a four-day festival in Tamil Nadu. People typically discard their old clothes and wear new ones on the first day of this festival. There are many regional dishes at the big feast on the last day, but the Tirunelveli halwa is the most important one. This Tirunelveli speciality is made with fresh cow ghee and cashew nuts. The taste of this one-of-a-kind dessert, which is made with water from the Thamirabharani River, is simply too good to resist.

Enhance your celebrations with these traditional, delicious Makar Sankranti sweets that capture the essence of this auspicious festival. Traditional sweets are a must for any celebration, and Makar Sankranti is all about happiness, warmth, and being together. The special sweets for Makar Sankranti, such as Payesh and Coconut Laddu, showcase India's rich culinary heritage.

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