Laddu – Traditional Indian Candy

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Laddu – Traditional Indian Candy

Photo: Natalie Levin

I only got to know Tamar over the past year, but I feel I’ve known her for years. It strikes me sometimes how fast a people connection can become so powerful, and how people who until a moment ago were complete strangers entered my heart. That’s exactly what happened with Tamar, and how glad I am that we met.

Tamar is one of the sweetest women I know. She is full of light, radiant and always says the right word. She is a great cook (!), and when we met a few weeks ago for a joint Indian cooking session, she made us amazing Indian dishes that showed how talented she was.

We cooked together no less than 3 different Indian dishes, prepared homemade chapati and also made these following sweets – Laddu. Laddu is a delicious traditional Indian candy that is easy to prepare and requires only two different ingredients plus any additions you like.

Laddu is made of sweetened condensed milk, which is cooked with butter and whatever nut or seed you like until it gets thickened. After cooking you simply cool the mixture, roll into balls and that’s it! This is just the kind of candy that is fun to have in a box in the fridge or freezer.

We prepared them in two different flavors – pistachios with coconut and sesame seeds with almonds. However, feel free to make these treats with any kind of nuts, seeds or any other supplement you feel like.

Laddu – Traditional Indian Candy

Photo: Natalie Levin

Laddu – Traditional Indian Candy

Photo: Natalie Levin



Laddu – Traditional Indian Candy

Ingredients:

  • 400 grams sweetened condensed milk
  • 100 grams butter
  • Additions (coconut and pistachios or sesame seeds and almonds:)
  • 120 grams roasted pistachios or roasted almonds (chopped)
  • 50 grams ground coconut or sesame seeds
  • + 50 grams of coconut or sesame seeds for coating
  1. In a pot, put the condensed milk and butter and heat over medium-high flame until the butter melts.
  2. Add in coconut and pistachios or sesame seeds and almonds and stir well.
  3. Lower the flame and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the mixture is separated from the sides of the pot, thickening and bubbling.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a flat container and refrigerate for two hours in the refrigerator.
  5. Roll into walnut-sized balls and coat with any topping you like.
  • Keep the balls in a closed container for up to a week.
  • It can be frozen for up to a month.
  • You can use any type of nuts and additions that you like.

Laddu – Traditional Indian Candy

Photo: Natalie Levin