Besan Ladoo (Roasted Chickpea Flour Sweets)

Besan Ladoo is one of the easiest Indian sweets to make. It is a popular sweet made with gram flour (besan), sugar, and ghee (clarified butter).

It requires only a few ingredients that you can pick up at your local Indian grocery store (just about every town in the US has one!), and is relatively quick to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)

• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Roasting Besan:

• Heat ghee in a pan on low flame.

• Add gram flour (besan) and roast it on low heat, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.

• Roast until the besan turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. This may take around 10-15 minutes. Be patient and ensure even roasting.

• Cooling:

• Allow the roasted besan to cool slightly. It should be warm to the touch but not hot.

• Adding Sugar and Cardamom:

• Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder to the roasted besan.

• Mix well until the sugar is evenly incorporated.

• Shaping Ladoos:

• Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into round ladoos. You can adjust the size according to your preference.

• If the mixture is too dry, you can add a bit more warm ghee to help in binding.

• Garnishing (Optional):

• Garnish the Besan Ladoos with chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios. Press them gently into the ladoos.

• Cooling and Storing:

• Allow the Besan Ladoos to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Besan Ladoos are ready to be enjoyed! This sweet is not only easy to make but also a favorite during festivals and celebrations. Adjust the sugar quantity based on your preference for sweetness.