(From top) The festive mithai spread at Gupta Brothers, a basket of treats at Kookie Jar and the gulab jamun in chocolate sauce at Saffron. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

Diyas have given way to aromatic, floating candles. Ethnic ensembles no longer come from Burrabazar. No wonder sweets ? so much a part of the festival of lights ? have also changed form and flavour. The local halwai has packed up, leaving the sweet legacy to the big shops, which have lived up to the challenge, innovating with the designer touch. Cartons have given way to bright packaging in all manner of material. Here is a menu made for the sweet tooth this Dhanteras and beyond:

Gupta Brothers

The ?Abar Khabo Shoppe? is having a culinary bonanza called Festive Treats. The sweetmeat extravaganza entails lip-smacking mithai, savouries and delectable give-aways. It also showcases an array of ?designer sweets and namkeens? in various shapes and sizes.

The special Diwali Ki Thali consists of an irresistible combination of Missi Roti, Jodhpuri Kofta, Meva Pulao, Bikaneri Rasmalai Aur Sanger Ka Kofta and Gatte Ka Sag, as well as other sweets. It is priced at Rs 125.

The designer range consists of sweets made of almonds, cashews and chhena in firecracker shapes like Phool Jhadi (made of almonds and pistachios), Anarkali (cashew-based sweet stuffed with pistachio and figs), Charki (made of almonds and baked). The sweets are priced Rs 100 and above per packet.

Custom-made corporate gift hampers cost between Rs 101 and Rs 500.

Badam Katli costs Rs 360 per kg and Kaju Katli, Rs 210. Sohan Papri for Rs 160, Desi Ghee Ke Laddoo at Rs 140 and the Special Laddoo at Rs 180 are available as usual.

Ganguram?s

Dry fruits rule the racks at Ganguram?s. The varieties of laddoos made of desi ghee and dry fruits cost between Rs 100 and Rs 120 per kg.

Dry fruit laddoos are priced between Rs 150 and Rs 180 per kg. The range of sandeshes like Sukha Sandesh, Jalbhara Sandesh and special Light Delight Sandesh, are priced between Rs 6 and Rs 10 per piece.

Gokul

Gokul at 1 AJC Bose Road is selling treats in style. The packing, on order, comes in German silver and pinewood, with mirror trays in ethnic colours embellished with diyas. Fusion sweets like Baked Gur Rasgullas topped with roasted almonds and honey, Malai Pista Dhalawan Chowki and Goond Badam Choorma, are all priced at Rs 15 per piece. The Badam Flower Tart, sugar-free Anjeer Cake and the Chhena Malpua stuffed with rabri cost Rs 12 per piece.

Gokul Bhog

If fruit flavours are more your taste, go in for the apple and strawberry flavoured Sohan Papri at Gokul Bhog on CIT Road. There are special laddoos from Jaipur and Bikaner for an authentic feel. Prices range between Rs 180 and Rs 250 per kg.

More than mithai

They look good, taste great. That is the main selling point of cookies, candies and confectioneries that have flooded the Diwali market. All those bored of dishing out the standard fare of sweets are turning to more western options instead.

The innovations however, delightful as they are, come at a price. And isn?t that the point, with what you give as a festive token becoming a status symbol of sorts.

Here are some options for those thinking out of the mithai box:

La Patisserie

The Taj Bengal bakery is celebrating with some fusion specials. A 750 g Gulab Jamun Cheese Cake comes for Rs 550, while Rasmalai Chocolate Mousse Cake and Orange Sandesh Gateaux cost Rs 450.

The chocolate boxes cost between Rs 290 and Rs 650 depending on size. Indian speciality sweets ? like cashew, almond and pistachio katlis ? range between Rs 575 and Rs 975 (plus taxes) per kg.

Assorted chocolate hampers range between Rs 375 and Rs 550, with packaging choices like terracotta Ganesh platter, thali and gold platter.

Saffron

This festive season, The Park is pushing its sweet surprises on the Saffron menu.

Cr?me Brulee Khubani ka Meetha is the main draw. Strewn with steamed apricots, this dessert is a light adaptation of the Andhra speciality. The Chocolate Gulab Jamun is stuffed with chocolate and dipped in chocolate sauce. Rich Almond Halwa, along with Gajar Ka Halwa, Phirni and Kulfi are being dished out. Mishti doi finds a new avatar as Mishti Doi Mousse.

Candy Treats

Candy Treats is celebrating with cartoon character goodies. ?The character confectionery is sure to tempt the kids, young and old,? says Manjari Tibrewal, owner, Candy Treats at Forum.

The Spiderman and Scooby Doo candies (christened Spin Doctors and Pop Toppers) are produced by an international toy maker. There are also special gift boxes for the premium range. An assortment comes for between Rs 600 and Rs 800.

Kookie Jar

Kookie Jar has rolled out a sweet spread for its clientele. Firecracker Pastries, Chocolate and Lemon Diyas and cakes with edible diyas on top. Also available are chocolates packed in handmade paper boxes or wooden trays, perfect to send to your near and dear ones. The range starts from Rs 150 and goes up to Rs 650.