India | Desserts | Fall | Diwali

Besan Laddu

(Indian sweet chickpea flour balls)

Yield: about 12 balls


INGREDIENTS PREP AMOUNT
Chick pea flour (besan) 3 cups
Ghee or oil 1 cup
Sugar 1 1/2 cups
Cardamom, ground 1 teaspoon

METHOD

Basic Steps:  Saute → Mix → Form into balls
  1. Heat ghee or oil in a saute pan over medium-low flame. Stir in the chickpea flour and cook it slowly until the flour begins to take on a brownish-red color, about 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to burn it..
  2. Remove the cooked flour from the heat and stir in the sugar and cardamom to form a thick dough. Let cool down a little. Then using greased hands, form into the dough into balls about the size of a large walnut. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

VARIATIONS

  • Stir in 1/2 cup chopped almonds, cashews or raisins when you add the sugar.

NOTES

  • Besan laddu is a very easy sweet to make and is popular throughout India, especially for festivals and celebrations. Besan laddu is said to be the favorite sweet of elephant-headed Lord Ganesh.
  • Often spelled besan ladoo or laddoo.