Gujiya recipe for Holi 2026: Step-by-step guide to give your traditional sweet a modern makeover

With Holi just around the corner, many households are busy making the traditional sweet gujiya at home. Chef Ranveer Brar adds a festive twist with his ‘Holi special colourful pink rose gujiya,’ using natural beetroot juice for a marbled effect, perfectly paired with a refreshing strawberry slush for a vibrant, eye-catching treat.

How to make Gujiya, step by step

Ingredients for stuffing
¾ cup ghee

1 cup semolina
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
½ cup dry grated coconut
¼ cup blanched and chopped pistachios
¼ cup chopped almonds
¼ cup chopped cashew nuts
2 tbsp rose water
½ tsp saffron

Ingredients for dough
2 cups refined flour
¼ cup ghee
A pinch of salt
Water as needed

Ingredients for coloured dough
2 cups refined flour
¼ cup ghee
⅓ cup beetroot juice
½ tsp lemon juice or vinegar

Other ingredients
Oil for frying
A pinch of raw crystallized sugar

For garnish
Blanched pistachios
Dry rose petals
Silver vark

Ingredients for strawberry slush
2 cups strawberries
1 tbsp rose syrup
4–5 ice cubes
Garnish: sliced strawberries and pistachios

Preparing the stuffing
Heat ghee in a pan and roast semolina until light golden brown. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Add the roasted semolina and cook until liquid is absorbed. Mix in grated coconut, nuts, rose water, and saffron, then roast until fragrant. Cool completely.

Preparing the dough
Combine refined flour, ghee, salt, and water to form a semi-hard dough. For the coloured dough, knead refined flour, ghee, beetroot juice, and lemon juice into a semi-hard dough. Set both aside.

Assembling beetroot gujiya
Roll both doughs thinly. Apply water on one sheet, place the other on top, and flatten. Roll tightly into a swirl and cut into small portions. Roll a portion, place in a gujiya mould, add a spoonful of stuffing and a pinch of sugar, then close the mould. Fry in medium-hot oil until golden brown. Cool before serving.

Preparing strawberry slush
Blend strawberries, rose syrup, and ice cubes until smooth. Serve immediately with sliced strawberries and pistachios as garnish.

Serving suggestion
The gujiya and strawberry slush duo makes a festive highlight for Holi parties, combining traditional flavors with a modern, colorful presentation.