Desi-Style Energy Balls

There are some flavours that always manage to take us back to times long gone by, especially of times spent running behind our mothers or grandmothers bugging them for treats. The heady mix of ghee, cardamom and sugar is one such, and while I may not indulge in the real deal as much, it’s just as good if not better in this healthier version of the traditional grandma-style ladoos, or what are now fashionably referred to as energy balls. Adding ground almonds and desiccated coconut in place of a portion of the gram flour brings more nutrient value to the humble ladoo, and adding coconut sugar instead of regular refined sugar helps take it up another notch on the health scale.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup salted butter

  • 1 cup gram flour

  • 2 tbsp semolina

  • 1/2 cup ground almonds

  • 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom

  • 2/3 cup coconut sugar

  • 1/2 handful raisins

Method of Preparation

  1. Heat a large non-stick pan. Over medium heat, add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Add the gram flour and stir continuously for ~5 minutes till there are no lumps and its evenly in a powder-like consistency. Add the semolina + ground almonds + desiccated coconut + cardamom, and stir to incorporate well. Keep stirring as the mix roasts for ~10-15 minutes, or till it changes colour to a mild golden. Turn off the heat. Add the sugar and stir continuously to allow it to soften and integrate completely with the mix. Then add the raisins, and mix well.

  2. While the mix is still warm, form little balls using your palms.

  3. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.