EVENT: DESI BLOGGERS CONNECT
THEME: DIWALI DHAMAKA
The Group Desi Bloggers Connect:
My contribution for this theme is Coconut Laddoos/ Coconut Fudge Balls. Bloggers Connect is a Facebook Group where members support each other by sharing and commenting on each others post. I’ve met many food bloggers though this group. For this Diwali Festival, the admins decided that we should prepare a sweet and savory or either dish to share for the theme.
My Story:
When I volunteered to take part in this event, I had jotted down a few options. One was a recipe that my mother in law use to make often during Diwali. However, its a bit time consuming and it will have to wait for another time. After I got back from India, wasn’t keeping well because of a very bad viral infection. It has taken a couple of weeks for me to overcome it. I had planned to mark a sweet dish that my Mother in Law use to make often during Diwali. However, due to my illness had to cancel the idea as its a time consuming recipe.
Coconut Laddoos/ Coconut Fudge Balls – my contribution
I was going to inform the admins that I cannot take part. Then I remembered the quick coconut laddoos/ coconut fudge balls recipe that I usually make for Diwali. Every year, I make a huge batch to give out as Diwali gift. I also serve them to people who come home to wish us on that day. As I hate to back out at the last minute when I’ve committed to something, I thought that these coconut beauties would make a perfect contribution to the Diwali celebration.
Diwali Celebration/ Diwali Dhamaka
Diwali is known as the festival of Lights. And it is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus world over. The celebrations include making a variety of food for families and guests. We also carry out various religious ceremonies. Read more about Diwali here.
Our Diwali Celebration
As hubby and I are getting older, we tend to miss family even more during the festivals and Diwali is no different. I really wish we could be with them. However, that it is not possible. We have a tradition of inviting the few family friends we have over for dinner or lunch. I try and make it as festive as possible.
Diwali Goodies that I always make:
- Masala Farsi Puri – spicy fried puri or crackers
- Magas – famous Gujarati Sweet made from Chickpea Flour
- Kansar – Diwali festivities begin with this humble sweet dish
- Googra – another Gujarati speciality. Fried Pastry is filled with nuts and semolina. My all time favorite.
- Some years It is tough a choice between Boondi Laddoo and Mohanthal.
- I make Gur Na Ladwa in remembrance of my mum.
- Date and Nut Cookies to add to the goodie bag I prepare
- Kiddies too need special treats, so I make Coconut Chocolate
- These Saffron Pistachio Muffins too go in the goodie bag.
Coconut Laddoos/ Coconut Fudge Balls
Coming to this easy peasy recipe, its a must for coconut lovers like me, I cannot resist anything that has coconut. Once you have the ingredients at hand, its very easy to make. So lets get right to the recipe. The combination of milk powder, ghee (clarified butter) and milk makes the fudge. You can roll the coconut balls or laddoos in coconut, or finely chopped nuts. Sometimes for a more festive look I roll them in colored sprinkles or chocolate ones.
Ingredients required for Coconut Laddoos/Coconut Fudge Balls
Desiccated Coconut – best to use unsweetened. Need extra for coating the balls.
Milk Powder – any variety
Milk – fresh milk
Sugar
Melted Ghee or Unsalted Butter – make sure you measure melted ghee or butter
Cardamom Powder – best to grind fresh for full flavour
Rose Water – optional
Dietary Tips:
- Gluten Free
- Vegetarian – no eggs, gelatin
COCONUT LADDOOS/ COCONUT FUDGE BALLS
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk powder
- 2 cups desiccated coconut unsweetened
- 1 cup milk at room temperature
- ⅓ - ½ cup melted ghee (clarified butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp rose water
Instructions
- Mix milk, ghee and rose water in a wide pan.
- Put the pan on low heat. Immediately add the milk powder and stir the mixture till its like a smooth paste.
- If there are lumps, break it with the back of the spoon. Remember to keep on stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes.
- Add sugar and keep on stirring it, over low to medium heat. At this stage the mixture will become like a liquid.
- Keep stirring and cooking it for 3-4 minutes over low heat.
- Add the desiccated coconut and cardamom powder. Keep on stirring till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and comes together like a dough.
- Take the pan off the heat. Remove the mixture into a bowl or plate.
- Let it cool till you're able to touch it without getting burnt. Don't let it become cold completely, otherwise it becomes difficult to roll into balls.
- Grease your hands with some ghee or butter.
- Take about 1 -1½ tbsp of the mixture and press it in you fist and roll it into a ball.
- Roll the ball in desiccated coconut and keep on a tray or a plate.
- Roll balls with the remaining mixture. Grease your hands often so that the mixture does not stick to your hands.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container till you're ready to serve it.
Notes
- Use unsalted melted butter instead of ghee.
Add flavours of your choice like orange zest, vanilla, etc.
Roll the balls in finely chopped nuts or sugar strands.
Pin for Later:
Check out what fellow Desi Bloggers have made:
- Jayashree Trao – Palak Sev
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Seema Doraiswamy Sriram – Buckwheat Fruit Kheer
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Vanitha Bhat – Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi
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Geetha Priyanka – 7 cups Burfi
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Priya Suresh – Besan Badam Laddoo
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Sasmita Sahoo Samanta – Parwal ki Mithai
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Pavani Gunikuntla – Milk Powder Burfi
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Jagruti Dhanecha – Badam Gulkhand Katli
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Piyali Muthha – Kashmiri Phirni
