About the Recipe
Boondi Ladoo is a traditional Indian sweet made from tiny fried droplets of chickpea flour (called boondi), soaked in fragrant sugar syrup and shaped into round balls. These vibrant, soft-yet-textured sweets are especially popular during festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and weddings. With hints of cardamom, saffron, and sometimes a touch of edible camphor or cloves, boondi ladoos are both spiritual offerings and festive treats.
Ingredients
1 cup besan (gram flour)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 cup chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, or pistachios)
1/4 cup raisins
Oil for frying
Pinch of saffron (optional)
Preparation
1. Prepare the Batter
In a mixing bowl, combine gram flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
Add water gradually to make a smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
2. Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. To check if the oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter; it should sizzle and rise to the surface.
3. Fry the Boondi
Using a perforated ladle, pour a ladleful of batter over the ladle and let it drop into the hot oil, forming small round balls (boondi).
Fry the boondi until they turn golden brown. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. Make the Sugar Syrup
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until it reaches a one-string consistency.
5. Combine Boondi and Syrup
Add the fried boondi to the sugar syrup and mix well.
Stir in cardamom powder, chopped nuts, and raisins.
6. Shape the Ladoos
Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then grease your palms with ghee.
Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into round ladoos.
7. Serve
Let the ladoos cool completely before serving. Store them in an airtight container.