Winter has arrived, and with it comes one of the season’s favourite treats—crispy, sweet Gajak. Whether eaten with evening tea or enjoyed in the winter sun, this traditional delight is loved by people of all ages. But experts warn that much of the Gajak sold in markets today may be adulterated.

In many places, sellers use straw, cheap sugar syrups, old jaggery, or even last year’s leftover stock repackaged as new. Such adulterated Gajak can harm your health.

The best solution? Make fresh, pure Gajak at home using simple ingredients. Here are five easy and delicious varieties you can try.

1. Sesame (Til) Gajak
   Ingredients
   • 1 cup sesame seeds
   • 1/4 cup jaggery
   • 1 tbsp ghee
   • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Method
• Lightly roast sesame seeds on low flame.
• Heat ghee, add jaggery, and melt it until it reaches a thick, two-string consistency.
• Mix in sesame seeds and cardamom powder quickly.
• Spread on a greased plate, roll while warm, and cut after cooling.

2. Peanut (Moongfali) Gajak
   Ingredients
   • 1 cup peanuts
   • 1 cup jaggery
   • 1 tbsp ghee

Method
• Roast peanuts and remove the skins.
• Melt jaggery with ghee to make a thick syrup.
• Mix peanuts, spread the mixture on a greased surface, roll it flat, and cut when set.

3. Sesame–Khoya (Til–Mawa) Gajak
   Ingredients
   • 1 cup sesame seeds
   • 1/2 cup khoya (mawa)
   • 1/2 cup sugar
   • 1 tbsp ghee
   • 2 tsp chopped cashews and almonds

Method
• Roast sesame seeds; lightly fry khoya in ghee until pale pink.
• Make syrup by boiling sugar with 2–3 tbsp water.
• Mix khoya, sesame seeds, and nuts into the syrup.
• Spread on a plate and cut once set.

4. Dry Fruit Gajak
   Ingredients
   • 1/4 cup cashews
   • 1/4 cup almonds
   • 2 tbsp pistachios
   • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
   • 3/4 cup jaggery
   • 1 tbsp ghee

Method
• Roast all dry fruits and sesame seeds.
• Prepare a thick jaggery syrup with ghee.
• Add sesame and dry fruits, mix well.
• Spread, roll, and cut into pieces.

5. Chocolate Gajak (kids’ favourite)
   Ingredients
   • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
   • 1/2 cup peanuts
   • 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate

Method
• Roast sesame and peanuts.
• Prepare jaggery syrup.
• Mix sesame and peanuts in the syrup and spread on a tray.
• Drizzle melted chocolate on top.
• Refrigerate for 20 minutes and cut.