Different Types of Ladoo to Make at Home

One of the most well-known and enjoyed Indian sweets is ladoo.

Although they look fairly simple, there are a variety of different ones to suit a range of preferences.

The sphere-shaped sweet is primarily made from flour, ghee and sugar. Sometimes, ingredients such as chopped nuts are added for an extra crunch.

Some recipes are even prepared using Ayurvedic medicinal ingredients.

No matter what ingredients are used, ladoos are commonly served during special occasions.

For those wanting to satisfy their ladoo cravings, here are a few recipes to try out at home.

Ragi Coconut Ladoo

Ragi coconut ladoo is a popular variation as it is nutritionally rich due to the high protein and mineral value present in its main ingredient, ragi, also known as finger millet.

Finger millet is grown in the Himalayas and is usually inter-cropped with peanuts.

This wholesome recipe is made with coconut, jaggery and crunchy peanuts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup ragi flour
• ¼ cup jaggery, powdered
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts
• ¼ cup grated coconut
• A pinch of salt

Method

1. In a bowl, place the flour and salt and mix. Add a little water whilst mixing. Break the mixture into crumbs as you keep mixing.
2. Stir in the coconut. Steam the mixture for around 10 minutes.
3. Place the mixture onto a tray and let it cool down.
4. Incorporate the jaggery with the flour mixture and peanuts.
5. Roll them into equal-sized balls and enjoy.

This recipe was inspired by NDTV Food.

Besan Ladoo

Besan ladoo is made with gram flour which is roasted with ghee and sugar is added.

After the mixture has been shaped, nuts and raisins can be added. Sometimes, semolina is added for an extra crunch.

This particular recipe is plain but tastes just as great.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gram flour, sifted
• 60ml ghee, unmelted
• 65g powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tsp chopped nuts (optional)

Method

1. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan on low and add the ghee. Let it melt. Once melted, add the flour and mix constantly.
2. Gently roast until golden and aromatic. Once done, remove from the heat and transfer to another container.
3. Add the cardamom and mix. Let the mixture cool for at least 15 minutes.
4. Add the sugar and nuts and mix until well combined and smooth. Take some of the dough and roll between your palm to form a round shape.
5. Repeat with the remaining dough and enjoy.

This recipe was inspired by Cook with Manali.

Boondi Ladoo

Boondi ladoo is a popular dessert and is usually prepared on special occasions.

Boondis are small, deep-fried balls that are soaked in sugar syrup. After soaking, the syrup is drained and the boondi are formed into ladoos.

This mouthwatering sweet treat is relished by adults and children.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gram flour
• ½ cup water
• 1½ cup sugar
• 1 cup water (for syrup)
• 6 Green cardamom pods
• 1 tbsp almonds, sliced
• Oil, for frying

Method

1. Open the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Crush the seeds and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, add the water and sugar and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Let it simmer until the syrup is about half thread consistency.
3. Mix the gram flour with water to make a pancake-like batter.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan.
5. Hold the skimmer about an inch above the oil with one hand. With the other hand, pour some of the batter onto the skimmer to cover all of the holes without spilling over the edge.
6. Drop enough boondi into the oil so they just about cover the surface of the oil.
7. Fry until golden. Lift the boondi out with a slotted spoon and place directly into the syrup and mix.
8. Repeat the process but wipe the skimmer as it helps to keep the boondi round.
9. Let them soak in the syrup then add the crushed cardamom seeds and almonds. Drain off the excess syrup.
10. Allow them to cool slightly then take some of the mixture and shape into a round ball. Repeat the process then enjoy.

This recipe was inspired by Manjula’s Kitchen.

Atta Ladoo

Atta ladoos are very popular within North Indian households and are usually eaten during the colder months.

This is because atta (wheat flour) keeps the body warm so it is mostly considered as a great food during the winter.

These sweet desserts offer delectable flavours with subtle crunchy textures of cashew nuts and almonds.

Ingredients

• ½ cup ghee
• 1 cup gram flour
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 5 Cashews, chopped
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• 5 Almonds, chopped

Method

1. Heat the ghee in a large wok then add both flours. Roast on a medium flame until the flour is well combined.
2. Once combined, reduce the heat and roast for 25 minutes until it is golden and aromatic, mashing any present lumps.
3. Once done, transfer to a bowl and let it cool slightly.
4. Add the sugar, cashews, almonds and cardamom powder and mix well. Once combined, prepare into equal-sized balls.

This recipe was inspired by Indian Healthy Recipes.

Til Ladoo

Til ladoo is one for those who prefer a slight bite to their ladoo.

It is usually made with a combination of white and black sesame seeds but it can be made with either one of them.

In terms of nutrition, jaggery is a healthier alternative to sugar because of the molasses content. On the other hand, sugar contains empty calories with hardly any vitamins or minerals.

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sesame seeds
• ½ cup black sesame seeds
• 1 cup jaggery
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tbsp peanuts, roasted and crushed
• 2 tbsp cashews, chopped
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

Ingredients

1. Dry roast both sets of sesame seeds in a pan. Once roasted, set aside to cool.
2. In another pan, add the jaggery and water. On a low flame, stir until the jaggery has dissolved.
3. Allow the syrup to boil for five minutes. It is at the right consistency when some of the mixture can be dropped into some water and form a ball.
4. Add the roasted sesame seeds to the syrup then add the cashews, peanuts and cardamom powder. Mix well then let it cool for five minutes.
5. Take some of the mixture and use your hands to form into a ball.
6. Repeat the process and serve.

This recipe was inspired by Hebbar’s Kitchen.

These five ladoo recipes will ensure that you can enjoy the popular sweet at home.

Even though it is much easier to buy them in a shop, making them yourself will ensure a more authentic product as you have control of the ingredients.

With these recipes, you can enjoy ladoos whenever you are craving some.