India, Nov. 5 -- Fat Strap: From motichoor cheesecake and thandai biskoot to matcha jalebi and coffee rasgulla tiramisu, traditional Indian sweets are finding a new avatar as brands cater to changing festive tastes. Indian mithai is getting a makeover this festive season. The familiar flavours are still here, but they are showing up in unexpected forms: motichoor ladoo as cheesecake jars, thandai as biskoot, kaju katli as a macaron and even jalebi with a matcha twist. As consumers look for something beyond the traditional mithai box, sweet shops, restaurants and artisanal brands are experimenting with new formats, ingredients and textures. The interest is reflected in online searches too, with searches for Diwali mithai in India surging 150% over the past week and hashtags like #modernmithais seeing a resurgence on social medi. The shift is not necessarily about replacing traditional sweets, but giving people new ways to enjoy flavours they already love. BOX: A contemporary twist At Cafe Delhi Heights, the much loved Motichoor Ladoo Cheesecake Jar brings together the festive favourite and the creamy texture of a contemporary dessert. Chef Ashish Singh, COO and culinary director, says the idea was to make a familiar mithai relevant to changing dessert preferences without losing its emotional appeal. "The idea is not to reinvent tradition, but to celebrate it in ways that resonate with today's diners," he says. The approach reflects a wider shift in the industry, where chefs are using recognisable Indian flavours as a starting point for experimentation rather than simply reproducing the original sweet. BOX: A taste of familiarity Dilli Mithai Co. is taking a similar approach with its Thandai Biskoot, turning the familiar festive drink into a biscuit that can be enjoyed beyond the season. "Thandai carries so many associations: festivals, family gatherings, summer afternoons and flavours that most of us have known since childhood. We wanted to take that memory beyond the glass," says Chef Neelam Saini Sircar, co-founder. Its Gulkand Malai, meanwhile, pairs the floral sweetness of rose petal preserve with the richness of cream, drawing on a combination long associated with Indian mithai. BOX: Packaging At Chingari, Sheraton Grand Pune Bund Garden Hotel, Chef Qureshi's dessert menu takes a more technique-led route with a Kesar Phirni Tart and Gulab Jamun Thandai Mousse "Our approach is rooted in Rivayat, Virasat and Andaz - the culinary customs, treasured legacy and contemporary expression of Awadhi cuisine. The goal is to reinterpret familiar desserts through new textures and formats bringing flavours that are deeply familiar to Indian diners, into a new context that is more appealing to this generation." Where to buy: Dzurt What to try: Kaju Katli Macarons, which pair French macaron shells with the nutty flavours of kaju katli and Raspberry Gulkand tea cakes. Website: www.dzurtjaipur.com Price Details: Individual boxes Rs.295 - Rs.1,200 | Curated hampers and festive boxes Rs.850 - Rs.2,850 (all prices exclusive of 5% GST) KHOYA Mithai, pan-India What to try: Belgium Chocolate Barfi and Walnut Peda, alongside classics such as Kesar Motichoor Laddoo. Log on to: khoyamithai.com Price: Rs.999 onwards for premium mithai boxes. Bombay Sweet Shop What to try: Coffee Rasgulla Tiramisu, made with coffee-soaked rasgullas, mascarpone cream, cocoa and chocolate brittle; Very Berry Kalakand Cheesecake; Pista Khubani Barfi; Gulab Orange Roll and Coffee Hazelnut Peda. Log on to: bombaysweetshop.com Price: Rs.385 onwards. Conscious Mithaiwala What to try: Matcha Jalebi, Tiramisu Peda, Kalakand Affogato, sattu-inspired Protein Delight and dark chocolates filled with liquid kaju katli. The range also includes sugar-free jalebi and gulab jamun. Log on to: instagram.com/consciousmitthaiwalla Price: Rs.1,995 per kg for Matcha Jalebi. The Meethi Elaichi Co. What to try: Kunafa Meets Mithai, Mithai Macaroons, Ferrero Mithai Cake, Pista Paan Paradise and Ace of Sweets. The brand also offers vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free collections, along with festive gift boxes. Log on to: meethiellaichi.com Price: Rs.1,000 onwards for curated gift boxes. Pistabarfi, pan-India What to try: Snap-and-eat Mithai Bar, Mysore Pak and Gajar Halwa in cans, Aam Papad Chewing Strips, and Indian mithai encased in Colombian chocolate bonbons and rochers. Log on to: pistabarfi.com Price: Rs.199 onwards. Genda Phool, pan-India What to try: Mithai Truffles with motichoor ladoo and saffron ganache, along with Paantastic Pistachio, Mathura Mocha and other flavour combinations. The range also includes chikki brittles and stuffed Medjool dates. Log on to: gendaphool.co Price: Rs.145 onwards....