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Fada Lapsi Recipe (Gujarati Lapsi)

Lapsi is a traditional Gujarati sweet dish prepared with broken/cracked wheat, ghee and jaggery or sugar. This easy and simple Lapsi Halwa recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. Make this festive fada Lapsi recipe in the Instant Pot or regular pressure cooker to save time and energy.

Fada lapsi in a brass bowl with two spoons

Lapsi Halwa is a delightful delicacy that is hugely popular in the Indian states of Gujarat and also Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, there are slight variations in the ingredients or method depending on the area.

Lapsi is also known as Fada Lapsi (if made with cracked wheat) in Gujarat. Other names such as Laapsi, Lapsi Halwa, Dalia Sheera, Lapshi, Gulachi Lapsi, Cracked Wheat Fada or Cracked Wheat Pudding are used in other parts of India.

Usually Lapsi is made using broken or cracked wheat in most of households. In Gujarat, lapsi is also made with coarse wheat flour (known as churma ladoo or bhakhri flour), and it is known as Kansar.

Why not try our Rajwadi Kansar also known as Taldhari Lapsi.

Most Gujarati households would make and serve this sweet Lapsi on Dhanteras (two days before the Diwali festival begins) or on Diwali day for Naivedyam, since it is considered as good luck for the coming year.

Just a few days back I saw that Mrs. Jaya Bachhan gave a spoon ful of Lapsi to Mr Amitabh Bachhan to wish him 80th Birthday in Kaun banega Karorpati show.

This classic sweet dish is one of mine and my baby brother’s favourite dish! He called it Hu-lapsi when he was a baby!

Lapsi dalia in a brass bowl garnished with rose petals

What is Lapsi

Lapsi is a broken or cracked wheat pudding made with primary ingredients like Dalia, ghee, sugar or jaggery. Lapsi is not a gluten-free dessert.

In this recipe, first cracked wheat are roasted in ghee then cooked/boiled in water until soft. Then, it is sweetened with and sugar or jaggery. Finally, lapsi is flavoured with cardamom, saffron and topped with nuts.

This rich and aromatic dessert has an earthy, nutty taste, delicate flavours and is light brown in colour. If using jaggery, it will be darker brown.

In northern parts of India it is called lapsi aur gur ka halwa, gur ki lapsi, sweet dalia or cracked wheat sweet recipe.

Lapsi Halwa is prepared on special occasions such as housewarming ceremonies, naming ceremony or any other happy occasions.

Lapsi is also made and enjoyed during festivals like Holi, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Gujarati New Year, Raksha Bandhan and Navratri.

Why you should make Lapsi?

Easy and Simple – this traditional old age dish is super easy and straight forward. It doesn’t require elaborate preparation or cooking.

Lapsi made with only 3 main ingredients that are so easy to get.

Suitable for all ages – lapsi is considered as a healthy-ish dessert and can be enjoyed by toddlers (remove nuts) and elderly people.

Quick make ahead dessert – comes together in just half an hour. Can be made even quicker if using instant pot or stove top pressure cooker.

Can be enjoyed as a dessert, snack or for breakfast.

Lapsi halwa served in a small bowl with a spoon

5 Health Benefits of Dalia

Dalia is a whole grain cereal and is a store house of nutrients that helps in to boost your health.

  1. Dalia is packed with vitamin B6, iron, and antioxidants.
  2. Dalia contains a rich fiber content that helps in digestion and boost gut health.
  3. It is a good source of protein and helps in weight loss.
  4. It also has low glycemic index and complex carbohydrates.
  5. Helps build muscle mass and maintains cholostral levels.

Ingredients

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

Cracked/Broken Wheat – in Hindi known as Dalia and in Gujarati Ghau Na Fada thus the dish called Fada Lapsi. It looks similar to bulgur wheat and is easily available in most of the South Asian grocery stores.

In south India cracked wheat known as Samba Rava or Godhuma Rava.

They are available in three types of varieties, large grain, medium grain and small or fine grain. We prefer large grain but if making it for toddlers use fine grain dalia.

Ghee – Lapsi has to be made with good quality dairy ghee. Just imagine the aroma of roasting dalia in desi ghee! Ghee imparts enticing nutty flavours, aroma and a lovely brown colour.

Sweeteners – Lapsi can be sweetened with sugar or jaggery (gur). By using a desi gor you’ll have healthier and refined sugar free dessert since jaggery contains many health benefits.

Keep in mind that desserts made with jaggery should NOT be called sugar-free.

Raisins/Sultana – optional

Extras

Flavouring – In Sweet Dalia or Meetha Dalia recipe we also use whole spices such as cinnamon. Cinnamon not only provides sweet and spicy flavouring but pairs so well with sugar, lends brown colour to the dish.

According to health experts adding some cinnamon to your dessert may temper the blood sugar surge that follows a sweet treat.

We also love to flavour our desserts with warm, sweet and delicate spices such as cardamom and saffron. These spices are added almost in the end of cooking.

Topping/garnish – We love to add or top our Lapsi sweet with rich nuts such as cashews, almonds and pistachios. Garnish this cracked wheat pudding with some edible dried rose petals and silver foil (varq) to make it regal..

Variations

Use jaggery to make Gur Wali Lapsi or Lapsi aur Gur Ka halwa.

Add twist by using caramel to enjoy Caramel Fada Lapsi

Why not drizzle some chocolate sauce.

Instead of cardamom and saffron why not experiment with vanilla, rose water or orange blossom water.

Break the rules, that Lapsi should be only saved for the religious occasions. Serve HOT lapsi with a scoop of ice cream after a spicy Indian feast for parties or get-together.

Broken wheat pudding topped with nuts and flower petals

How to Make Lapsi

Full printable recipe in recipe card below.

If you want to make Lapsi using traditional method,make in a pan on stovetop. This procedure takes a little longer.

Lapsi also can be made with ease and in just a few steps in a regular pressure cooker or in the Instant pot.

Whatever method you choose, the result will be perfectly cooked lapsi and texture every time and there will be no compromising on the taste.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker

First heat ghee in a pressure cooker and add Cinnamon sticks, cashew nuts and raisins.

Fry few seconds then add broken wheat, roast for 6-8 minutes or until it turns till light brown on low to medium heat.

Pour boiling hot water and close the lid. Keep the heat on medium to low.

After 3 whistles let the pressure cooker cool down naturally. 

Open the lead, and check if the dalia is cooked by pressing a grain between your index finger and thumb.

If it mashs easily it’s done, if not add little hot water and pressure cook 1-2 whistle more.

Add the sugar or grated jaggery.

Mix and keep stirring, let it cook until all the moisture eveoparates.

Add cardamom powder and saffron. Give it a good mix.

Turn off the heat, cover the cooker with a lid and let the flavours abosorb. This step will give you fluffiest (chutti lapsi)

Serve in a serving bowl.

Top it with chopped almonds and pistachios.

Fada Lapsi in Instant Pot

Select the ‘SAUTE’ button, and set it to ‘NORMAL’.

Once it displays ‘HOT, add ghee in the liner of the instant pot. Let the ghee melt.

Add cinnamon, cashews and raisins. Saute for a few minutes or cashews turns light pink.

Add cracked wheat (dalia) and mix well.

Roast until gives out nutty aroma and dalia turns light brown.

Pour boiling hot water, mix well and make sure to deglaze the pot.

Cancel the saute mode and close the lid.

Keep the valve in sealing position.

Press HIGH PRESSURE and select 8 minutes.

Once the cooking is done, 10 minutes NPR then release the remaining pressure naturally.

Mix it, add sugar or jaggery and keep stirring until all the moisture dries up.

Add cardamom and saffron and nuts.

cardamom saffron and nuts added to the lapsi halwa

Lapsi Halwa (Stovetop)

Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan or kadai, add cinnamon stick, cashew nuts and raisins.

Saute until cashews turn light pink.

Add cracked wheat, rost on medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes or until nutty aroma comes and wheat turns light brown.

Pour boiling water, mix well and cover the pan with a lid.

Turn the heat on low and let the dalia cook until tender and almost water eveoprates.

Take a few grains and press in between your index finger and thumb, if mashes easily it’s done. If not add little boiling water and cook further for 4-5 minutes.

Add sugar/jaggery, mix well. Stir and cook until all the moisture of the sweetner dries up.

Flavour the Lapsi Sheera with cardamom and saffron.

Cover the pan again, turn off the heat and let the flavours abosorb.

Garnish the lapsi with almond and pistachio slivers.

Tips

Only use fresh cracked/broken wheat. If they are old or stale it may take too long to cook or even won’t cook at all.

Do nut rush to roast the wheat, and only roast on low heat.

Make sure the water you use is boiling hot.

For any reason you don’t want to use whole spices or nuts, feel free to skip it.

Do not compromise on using ghee, if you use less ghee, the lapsi will be lumpy and not glossy.

Once lapsi is cooked, cover it with the lid and let it sit for a while. This step will give you the fluffiest lapsi ever.

Serving Suggestion

In Gujarati household Lapsi consider as auspicious sweet dish. Often served as a Naivdeyam, Prasad or bhog (offering to god) with coconut.

If made for any joyous occasions, Lapsi is served first in the thali (plate) with other Gujarati items such as Gujarati Dal, Bateta Nu Saak, Kala Chana Nu Saak, Plain boiled rice and puri or rotli.

In Rajasthan lapsi served in a full Rajasthani thali with Kadhi, Rice, Bajra Roti and other various dishes.

Storage

Lapsi is make ahead dessert and can be made in advance. Once the Lapsi is totally cooled pack in the airtight container and store in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

In the fridge, Lapsi grains gets slightly chewy. Before serving, sprinkle a tablespoon of water and reheat in the microwave thoroughly.

To freeze the Lapsi, pack cooled Lapsi in a freezer safe container and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat before consuming.

FAQs

Is Lapsi a healthy dessert?

Lapsi is considered as healthy-ish dessert compared to cakes and biscuits. As the main ingredient in this dish is broken wheat (dalia), thus many call it Healthy Gujarati Sweet Sheera. Dalia is packed with goodness (see health benefits above in 5 health benefits of dalia.

Is lapsi and dalia the same?

No, Dalia is just broken wheat, it is an ingredient, whereas Lapsi is a dessert made with dalia (broken wheat)

Are broken/cracked wheat and Bulgur wheat the same?

No, they are not same, although they both are wheat. Broken/Cracked wheat is made by milling raw wheat berries into smaller pieces, a process that reduces cooking time but still preserves the nutrient- and fiber-rich bran and germ layers.

Bulgar wheat has been pre-cooked. This means the grain cooks quicker and has a nutty flavour

What can I do with Leftover Lapsi?

You can make Lapsi Kheer. Heat milk in the pan bring it to boil, add leftover lapsi and cook until nice and thick. Enjoy hot for breakfast or as a dessert.

What else can be made with cracked wheat?

Cracked wheat or Dalia is suitable for sweet and savoury dishes. Dalia can be used in making many delicious dishes such as payasam, kheer, porridge, upma, khichdi, salad, stews, bread, pilaf, Muthia, and cutlets.

Can I make Vegan Lapsi?

Yes, you can although the taste will differ. Use vegetable ghee or butter. Ensure the sugar you use that is also suitable for vegans.

Can I make suger-free Lapsi?

Yes, you can. Use stevia or monk sugar instead of regular sugar. Honey, Jaggery, Maple syrup, Dates are still sugar.

Other Gujarati Desserts/Sweets

Dhilo Mohanthal

Gujarati Shakkarpara

Shrikhand

Sutarfeni

Gujarati Basundi

Almond Sukhdi

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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Fada Lapsi Recipe

Hayley Dhanecha
Lapsi or Fada Lapsi is a delicious Gujarati sweet dish prepared with broken wheat (Dalia), ghee and sweetened with Jaggery or sugar. This aromatic and easy Lapsi Halwa recipe is perfect for festivals such as Diwali, Navratri and Raksha Bandhan.
5 from 1 vote
Cook Time 15 minutes
Pressure and cooling time 15 minutes
Course Desserts, Mithai, Sweets
Cuisine Gujarati, Maharashtrian, Rajasthani
Servings 8 servings
Calories 245 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Instant pot

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup ghee
  • 1 small bark cinnamon
  • ¼ cup cashew nuts
  • cup raisins
  • 1 ¼ cup cracked wheat dalia
  • 4 cup boiling water
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 8-10 strands saffron
  • 4 tablespoon almonds
  • 2 tablespoon pistachio
  • 1 tablespoon rose petals

Instructions
 

  • Select the ‘SAUTE’ button, and set it to ‘NORMAL’.
  • Once it displays ‘HOT, add ghee in the liner of the instant pot. Let the ghee melt.
    1/2 cup ghee
  • Add cinnamon, cashews and raisins. Saute for a few minutes or cashews turns light pink.
    1 small bark cinnamon, 1/4 cup cashew nuts, 1/8 cup raisins
  • Add cracked wheat (dalia) and mix well.
    1 1/4 cup cracked wheat
  • Roast until gives out nutty aroma and dalia turns light brown.
  • Pour boiling hot water, mix well and make sure to deglaze the pot.
    4 cup boiling water
  • Cancel the saute mode and close the lid.
  • Keep the valve in sealing position.
  • Press HIGH PRESSURE and select minutes 8 minutes.
  • Once the cooking cycle is done, 10 minutes NPR then release the remaining pressure naturally.
  • Mix it, add sugar or jaggery and keep stirring until all the moisture dries up.
    3/4 cup sugar
  • Add cardamom and saffron, mix well.
    1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, 8-10 strands saffron
  • Transfer in a serving bowl and garnish with nuts and rose petals.
    4 tablespoon almonds, 2 tablespoon pistachio, 1 tablespoon rose petals

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Fada Lapsi Recipe
Serving Size
 
1
Amount per Serving
Calories
245
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
8
g
50
%
Trans Fat
 
0.001
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Cholesterol
 
29
mg
10
%
Sodium
 
3
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
206
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
21
g
7
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
14
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
20
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator/plugin. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.

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Note – This recipe has been updated from our recipe archives with new images and content, but the recipe remains the same. First time published in November 2010. 

Recipe Rating




Bo

Monday 6th of December 2010

I like that bowl you served it in!

Mina Joshi

Wednesday 10th of November 2010

Jagruti

I love your recipe for lapsi. Very traditional. Always make it when my brother's visit as its a very traditional and auspicious dish. Sometimes when we have guests from India we serve it desi style. Serve the boiled lapsi and then pour the ghee and add gor separately !!

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥

Sunday 7th of November 2010

Oh i love Lapsi , i remember eating it somewhere and the name stuck to my mind!!WOuld totally love this babe!!Have a fantastic festival of lites!

Unknown

Friday 5th of November 2010

Oh wow they look awesome :)

ann low

Friday 5th of November 2010

Happy Diwali to you and all at home!