Badam Laddu, also known as Almond Laddu, is a delicious Indian sweet made with almonds, sugar, and ghee. It is a popular festive treat and can be enjoyed on special occasions. Here is a simple recipe for Badam Laddu:
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Ready time: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almonds (badam), blanched and peeled
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
- Chopped nuts for garnishing (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat a pan on medium heat and dry roast the blanched almonds until they become slightly golden and fragrant. Make sure to stir continuously to prevent burning.
- Allow the roasted almonds to cool completely and then grind them to a fine powder using a blender or food processor.
- In the same pan, heat the ghee and add the almond powder. Mix well to combine.
- Add the sugar and cardamom powder to the pan and continue to cook on low heat.
- Stir continuously until the sugar melts and the mixture comes together like a dough. This may take about 5-7 minutes.
- Optional: If using saffron strands, soak them in a tablespoon of warm milk for a few minutes and then add it to the mixture. This will give a nice flavor and color to the laddu.
- Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly so that it can be handled.
- Grease your palms with ghee and take small portions of the mixture to shape them into round laddus.
- If desired, garnish the laddus with chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios.
- Allow the Badam Laddus to cool completely and then store them in an airtight container.
Enjoy the rich and nutty flavor of Badam Laddu as a festive sweet or as a special treat anytime!
