Besan Laddoos

A traditional Indian sweet made during all festivals and celebrations, besan laddoos are delicious spherical delights made with gram flour, ghee, sugar and dry fruits. A favourite among adults and children, almost every household has their own ‘secret family recipe’ for making the same.

Ingredients

Gram flour (besan) – 250 gms; sifted

Sugar – 250 gms; powdered

Semolina (sooji) – 100 gm

Ghee – 250 gm

Cardamoms – a few; ground to a fine powder

Lotus seeds (makhannas) – a few

Pistachios – a few; shelled

Almonds – a few

Method

1. Heat the ghee in a heavy bottom pan and melt it.
2. Lower the flame, add the lotus seeds, pistachios and almonds and fry till crisp and golden brown.
3. Keep aside. Crush coarsely when cool.
4. Add the gram flour to the ghee and cook on a low flame, stirring continuously for even roasting.
5. Wait for the colour to change to a deep golden brown and for it to let off an aroma.
6. Add the semolina and keep stirring.
7. Add the powdered sugar and stir non stop without taking a break.
8. Add the roasted and crushed dry fruits along with the powdered cardamoms, give it a final stir and remove from the flame.
9. Transfer the mixture to another pan immediately and allow it to cool completely.
10. Take small portions of the mixture and roll into balls.
11. Roll once again after 30 mins to give a smooth finish to every laddoo.
12. Store in an air tight jar and use within three weeks

Patience is the key to making besan laddoos. Making these involves a lot of arm work as one needs to stir continuously, but the hard work is worth the effort. Do share with us your experience of making these melt-in-the mouth sweets in the comments box below.