Ghuguni Recipe checks all the boxes for me. It is vegan, gluten-free, protein-rich and easy to make. A simple side dish that can be served as a snack too. Try making this yum curry and you will fall in love with it!
Besan Ladoo Recipe
A ladoo that is well known and enjoyed by all rich and poor in India.
A ladoo that does not need much expertise to make is made from besan or Bengal Gram flour and ghee. Besan Ladoo is made for any festival or special occasions also called Besan laddu or Besan Unde! In fact, festivities are incomplete without them. Besan Unde uses pantry ingredients gram flour (besan), ghee and sugar! Toss in a few dry fruits and you have a yum Besan Ladoo, a round ball of magic that melts in your mouth.
Content:
- My memories of Besan Ladoo Recipe
- The Event
- What is Besan Laddu?
- Ingredients needed for Besan Unde Recipe
- How to make Besan Ladoo?
- Recipe Card for Besan Laddu Recipe
- Tips to make good Besan Unde
- Your Shopping List
- Other Sweets for Ganesh that you may like
- Pin for Later
My memories of Besan Ladoo Recipe
As a child any festival meant one delicious ladoo made from besan, and anytime, anyplace used to be “Unddi” time! Something we used to try and eat as many as we could lay our (grubby) hands on as kids.
I remember for my aunt’s wedding,when laddoo and avalakki was made at home the entire clan sitting to make these balls of delicious sweet both Besan Ladoo and Rava Ladoo. I must have been about 5-6 years old. I helped too, eating quite a few as they were being made!
One of the many traditional recipes that granny made the best. Mine gave me 2 because I was her favourite but now I think they were smaller than the regular ladoos she made.
Besan Ladoo‘s shelf life is 2-3 weeks so they were our travel companions too. However, the results of eating too many of them are tummy upsets. We have some hilarious memories of the mishaps we had while travelling and too many ladoos.
The Event:
Today I am redoing and sharing this recipe as my brother asked for another ladoo called “Tambit”. Since I have not been able to source some ingredients for it I am sharing his other favourite sweet Besan Laddu. This is for Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh all in one as too much of sweet is not good for you, Kshitij!
This an old post that I am updating with newer pictures and write up as apart of the group Foodies_RedoingOld Post.
What is Besan Laddu?
Other than being a round ball of melt in the mouth magic you mean?
Most Indian foods are simply named after their main ingredients so Besan Ladoo is a sphere, a dessert made from bengal gram flour or besan.
Bengal gram flour is called Besan in hindi and hence the name.
To make besan ke ladoo you roast the besan in clarified butter or ghee. Powdered sugar is mixed along with nuts and raisins and then the dough is shaped in balls.
However a Laddu does not happen only with besan. We have so many ingredients used to make Ladoos.
- Some of the traditional Ladoos
- Aliv che Ladoo
- Dates Ladoo
- Maledi – Chapati Ladoo
- Til /Sesame Seed Ladoo
- Rava Ladoo
- Peanut Ladoo
- The more Modern ones
- Milkmaid Chocolate Balls
- Digestive Biscuit Chocolate Ladoos
You use to make Besan Undi are simple pantry ingredients:
- Besan: Simple Bengal Gram Flour use the coarse flour for better results.
- Ghee: Sudh Desi Ghee your homemade ghee is the best. But in case you get a store-bought one I have in the past used Govardhan ghee. Check your local brands too some sweet shops sell ghee that too is fine.
- Sugar: Powdered White sugar, grind regular sugar to a fine powder.
- Flavours: I use green cardamom or elichi but here in Goa nutmeg powder is used along with cardamom.
- Dry Fruits: Cashew nuts, raisins, pistachios are traditional dry fruits.
- Optional ingredients: Sooji or rava is added to Besan Ladoo to give it a slight crunch. But then these ladoos are called Rava Besan Ladoo.
How to make Besan Ladoo?
- Use a thick kadhai/wok and mix the 1 cup ghee and 2 cups of besan.
- On low flame start heating the mixture stirring constantly. You will need to add more ghee add about ¼ cup. Go easy and add 1/2 of this if needed the other half.
- The batter should be more like a paste and not runny. Adding more ghee is easier but resist the temptation.
- After about 20-25 minutes the batter changes colour from yellow to deep amber and the aroma is heavenly.
- Switch off the gas and let it cool fully.
- Meanwhile, grind the sugar and cardamom the nutmeg piece if you plan to add it in the mixer to a fine powder.
- Mix the powdered sugar mixture in the cooled besan mix and knead to make a dough.
- Check for sweetness, add more sugar or flavourings if you wish.
- Now make small balls of the mixture and stick a nut and raisin before rolling it into a smooth ball.
- Note that you can add the nuts and raisins to the dough and mix it up and then make the ladoos but then you cannot be sure if every ladoo gets the nuts and raisins. The experience is so very disappointing then.free
Recipe Card for Besan Laddu Recipe:
Besan Ladoo Recipe
Use pantry ingredients to make Besan Ladoo. Also called Besan Laddu or Besan Unde! In fact festivities are incomplete without them.
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Servings: 15 ladoos
Calories: 106kcal
Equipment
- Kadhai/wok
- Spoons and Ladles
- Bowl for mixing
- chutney jar of mixer/blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups besan/split bengal gram flour coarsely ground
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ¼ cup ghee/clarified butter
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- Nuts and raisins
Instructions
- In a thick kadhai/wok mix the ghee and besan.
- On low flame keep stirring the besan. You will need about 20-25 min.
- Your batter consistency should not be runny but more like a paste so do not add all the ghee at once. You can always add a little later.
- You have to continue stirring till the colour changes from yellow to deep amber and the aroma is heavenly.
- Switch off the gas and let it cool fully.
- Add the cardamom powder and sugar. Mix well.
- Now make small balls of the mixture and stick a nut and raisin before rolling it into a smooth ball.
Tried this recipe?Mention @themadscientistskitchen or tag #themadscientistkitchen!
Nutrition Facts
Besan Ladoo Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 106
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tips to make good Besan Unde:
- Roasting the besan is the most important job. Low flame and lots and lots of patience. Stir constantly this is not a heavy-duty stirring but a job that gives you fantastic results. If the besan is not roasted properly the ladoos will taste raw and will be bitter. This is your crucial step.
- Keep stirring: Muscle power is what you need to make this besan ladoo. Don’t worry, it’s not so bad but you need to stir continuously. Minimum time needed is about 25-30 minutes. It’s gently steady stirring.
- Never lose patience and increase the flame: Patience, this is most important. The low heat cooks the besan properly. If you increase the heat then the flour does turn amber yellow, brown but it will be raw. Your ladoo will taste bitter.
- Lastly, let the besan cool completely: before you add the sugar. I generally do my roasting in the evening. Then next day add the sugar and make my ladoos. This way the batter cools completely. Adding sugar in warm batter messes up the batter and you cannot shape the ball.
So how do you know if the besan is roasted?
While it is important to roast the besan properly on low flame it is also important that you do not over roast the besan. You will get a burnt smell for the ladoos. Also, remember that the heat of the pan will also continue cooking the besan.
- As besan roasts, you will get a heavenly aroma.
- But the most important test is the colour changes from batter changes colour from yellow to deep amber an unmistakable hue.
- The batter stops being lumpy smoothes out.
How can I fix excess ghee in Besan Ladoo?
Ooh! been there and have really rued not being patient and adding the extra ghee. Do not worry there is a solution.
- Take a pan, add some more besan and roast on low flame till you get a good aroma and the colour changes.
- Please remember not to add any ghee to this besan.
- Once done cool and add it to the batter especially if you have added sugar to the batter already.
- You will have to add some more powdered sugar to bring up the sweetness of the batter.
What is the shelf life of Besan Ladoo?
3 weeks if stored in an airtight box if stored away from noses that can search ladoos. My mom carried them in steel containers while travelling. The heat of the train journey used to melt the ghee and we had one big lump in the container. Even on the train, she made the ladoos for us.
Lastly, enjoy one of the best sweets in this world responsibly. Remember eating too many will result in an upset tummy.
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Other Sweets for Ganesh that you may like:
- Ukdiche Modak /Steamed Rice Dumplings
- Chocolate Khoya Modak
- Deep-Fried Modak~ Ganesh Special
- Mangane
- Mooga Kann, Vegan Dessert from Goa
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Previous Post: « Deep Fried Modak~ Ganesh Special
Priya Suresh says
All time favourite besan laddoos and they looks extremely delicious.
Srivalli Jetti says
Those laddos have surely turned out so delicious Arch..good job in shaping it so neatly!
Srivalli Jetti says
Not sure if my comment came through!..the laddos look very nicely shaped..very delicious one..
Nalini says
Amazing besan ladoos, perfectly shaped.
Jayashree says
These have come out so well – perfectly round and shiny.
Vaishali says
Love laddoos anytime and began ones top the list ! Perfectly made beauties .
PJ says
Ladoos look so good and perfectly shaped, Archana! Superb!
Pavani says
Perfectly made besan laddoo. They look amazing.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
The laddoos are so smooth and perfect!
Harini says
Perfectly made laddus, Archana
Sapna says
Besan Ladoo are my favourite. Looks yummy.
preeti says
Perfectly done ladoo
Shobha Keshwani says
Laddoos look so well made and delicious. It is amazing how they taste so good with just a few ingredients. All available in our kitchens and we can make them anytime unplanned also.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thnaks, Shobha
LINSY PATEL says
some desserts are ever green no matter how many times you make that , you are still going to love it and this is that perfect one. looks lovely and delicious
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Lindsy. You hit the nail on the head.
Superduper kitchen says
Besan ladoos look delicious. Easy to make sweet with simple ingredients.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, dear.
priya vj says
Gannu bappa will be very happy to get these rich and delicious ladooos . I love besan ladoos but as you said cannot gorge more for the fear of upset stomach . Love yhe shiny finish on your ladoos
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Priya.
Mina Joshi says
Besan ladoos look delicious. I haven’t made these for a long time. Reading your recipe, I am tempted to make them too.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Love the fact that I am not the only one tempted.
Jayashree T.Rao says
Besan ladoo is the best sweet that we can prepare , it stays good for a long period and tasty too. They look delicious.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
I’ve often tasted besan ladoo especially when given out as prasadam but haven’t tried making them at home. They definitely are melt in the mouth kind and tasty. I think for this upcoming festivities I should try making them.
ArchanaPotdar says
Do try, send them across. I love them.
Padma Veeranki says
Who can say no to such a wonderful ladoo…Easy to make dessert with simple ingredients and so so delicious to binge on!!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Priya Srinivasan says
Wow look at those perfect little spheres! So smooth and shiny! i love making ladoos, as they are one of the quickest, easiest and most versatile dessert to make! I have never made besan ladoo this way, would love to try next time!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks, Priya.
Jolly says
Long time I didn’t make besan ladoo at home, now I am craving it by seeing your delicious post. They’re perfectly made and shape too. Lovely!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Bless my food by Payal says
I am always willing to surrender myself for these delicious besan ladoos. By merely looking at their pictures, my mouth is watering. Yum.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Pavani says
Beautifully made besan ladoo Archana. They look rich and decadent. Loved reading your memories associated with these 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Lata Lala says
These are my all time favourite besan ladoos and they looks extremely delicious. It’s a must recipe to be made during festival season.
ArchanaPotdar says
True. Thanks, Lata.
amrita says
As you said Besan ladoos are favorite in almost all Indian homes. Your Besan ladoo has turned out so smooth and looks absolutely melt in moouth
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
The ladoos are so smooth and perfect! Love festival season so we can enjoy our memories and also indulge in all our favorite sweets.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Uma Srinivas says
This is one of the favorite ladoo. We make this for Ashtami and Diwali too. Looks yummy and neat.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you.
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
These Besan ladoos are classic and so delicious, a must recipe for any ladoo lovers. Thanks for sharing.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Padma Veeranki says
This ever green classic dish is something we can never get bored of……Besan ladoo looks so delicious with perfect texture with a melt in the mouth feel…Apt for the festive season!!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Padma.
sapana says
Besan ladoo is heart and soul of Indian sweets. Love it to the core. You have made them so perfectly Archana. I feel like grabbing some from the screen.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Sapana.
kalyani says
besan ladoo definitely brings back a lot of memories…. these are so perfectly made arch…
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Kalyani.
Renu says
I have my silly memories with this besan ladoo. One of my favourites and the good thing is that it is my sons favourite too. Love your tips and tricks on making this.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Renu.
Lathiya says
I love besan ladoos and these ones look delicious. THank you for sharing video instructions to make it easier for beginners.
ArchanaPotdar says
thanks.