Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with Dhanteras on Friday, November 6. Sweets are at the heart of the festival: mithai for Lakshmi Puja bhog, boxes for neighbours and coworkers, and a full dessert table for family. Here is a simple guide to the most popular Diwali sweets, how many to buy, and where to get them in San Francisco at Indian Market & Liquor, 1546 Guerrero St.
The classic Diwali sweets
- Kaju katli — the most-gifted Diwali sweet: thin diamonds of cashew fudge. Haldiram's Kaju Katli.
- Gulab jamun — soft milk dumplings in rose-cardamom syrup. Serve warm. Haldiram's Gulab Jamun 2.2 lb tin or Dass Sweets Gulab Jamun.
- Rasgulla — spongy cottage-cheese balls in light syrup; serve chilled. Santos Rasgulla 1 kg or Dass Sweets Rasgulla.
- Rasmalai — rasgulla soaked in saffron milk, a show-stopper for guests. Rasmalai Kesar 850 g.
- Ladoo — the traditional bhog for Lakshmi and Ganesh. Motichoor Ladoo, Besan Ladoo, Special Color Ladoo, plus Til and Peanut Laddu.
- Milk cake — rich, grainy and caramel-sweet. Haldiram's Milk Cake or Dass Sweets Milk Cake.
- Soan papdi — flaky, melt-in-the-mouth and travels well, so it is perfect for office gifting. Bambino Soan Papdi.
- Jalebi — crisp, syrupy spirals for the dessert table. Jalebi 227 g.
- Can't decide? Try a box of Assorted Sweets or Bengali Mix Sweets.
How much to buy
- Lakshmi Puja bhog: one small box of ladoo or kaju katli is enough for the puja plate.
- Family dinner (6–8 people): one tin of gulab jamun or rasgulla plus one box of dry sweets such as kaju katli or milk cake.
- Gifting: one 250–400 g box per household. Soan papdi and kaju katli keep best for a few days.
- Office or party: a 1 kg tin of rasgulla or gulab jamun serves a crowd.
Finish the gift box
Add a small tin of Chandan 6-in-1 Mukhwas as an after-dinner treat, a handful of dry fruits, and a couple of hand-painted diyas for a gift that looks as good as it tastes. Setting up your puja too? See our Lakshmi Puja samagri checklist.
A simple Diwali shopping plan
- This week: order dry sweets, dry fruits and gift boxes.
- Before Dhanteras (Fri, Nov 6): pick up puja items, diyas and rangoli.
- Diwali weekend: collect syrup sweets like rasgulla, gulab jamun and rasmalai, plus fresh paneer and roti.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy Indian sweets for Diwali in San Francisco?
Indian Market & Liquor at 1546 Guerrero St (Noe Valley / Bernal Heights) carries kaju katli, gulab jamun, rasgulla, rasmalai, ladoo, milk cake, soan papdi and more, open every day 9:30 AM–8:30 PM including Diwali.
Do you deliver Diwali sweets in San Francisco?
Yes. Order at sfindianmarket.com for free same-day delivery anywhere in SF on orders of $50 or more, or choose free curbside pickup with no minimum.
How long do mithai last?
Dry sweets like kaju katli and soan papdi keep for several days at room temperature; check each pack's date. Keep rasgulla, rasmalai and milk-based sweets refrigerated once opened.
Is there parking?
Yes, free 15-minute parking right outside the store, and our staff are happy to help load your car.
Shop all of the above in our Diwali 2026 Shop. Happy Diwali from all of us at Indian Market & Liquor!
