Authentic Gond Ke Laddu Recipe – Wheat Flour & Jaggery Delight

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Authentic Gond Ke Laddu Recipe – Wheat Flour & Jaggery Delight

Hey everyone! If you’re looking for a traditional Indian sweet that’s packed with flavour and goodness, you’ve come to the right place. Gond ke laddu – those little golden balls of energy – are a winter staple in many Indian households, and for good reason! I remember my grandmother making these every year during Lohri, and the whole house would smell incredible. Today, I’m sharing my version of this classic recipe with you. It’s a little bit of effort, but trust me, it’s so worth it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These aren’t just any sweets. Gond ke laddu are believed to be incredibly nourishing, especially during the colder months. They’re made with ingredients that are warming and energy-boosting, making them perfect for keeping you going. Plus, they taste absolutely divine – a beautiful balance of sweetness from the jaggery, nuttiness from the almonds and cashews, and a lovely aromatic flavour from the cardamom and nutmeg.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful Gond Ke Laddu:

• 1 cup Wheat flour (approx. 150g)
• 1 cup Jaggery (approx. 200g)
• ?? cup Ghee (approx. 120ml – 150ml) – we’ll talk more about this later!
• ?? cup Gond (Edible gum) (approx. 50g – 75g)
• 2 tablespoons Dry coconut (approx. 20g)
• ?? cup Almonds (approx. 50g)
• ?? cup Cashews (approx. 50g)
• ?? cup Raisins (approx. 50g)
• ?? teaspoon Nutmeg (approx. 1g)
• ?? teaspoon Cardamom powder (approx. 1g)
• 1 teaspoon Dry ginger powder (approx. 2g)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s chat about the ingredients, because getting these right makes all the difference!

• Gond (Edible Gum): This is the star of the show! Gond is a natural resin with amazing health benefits – it’s believed to boost energy, strengthen bones, and even help with joint pain. You can usually find it at Indian grocery stores. Look for a pale yellow, translucent variety.
• Wheat Flour: I prefer using whole wheat flour (atta) for a slightly nutty flavour and added fibre. But you can use refined wheat flour (maida) if you prefer a smoother texture.
• Jaggery: Jaggery comes in dark and light varieties. Dark jaggery has a more robust, molasses-like flavour, while light jaggery is milder. I usually use a mix of both for a balanced sweetness. You can grate it yourself or buy it pre-grated.
• Ghee: Oh, ghee! The heart of Indian cooking. Homemade ghee is always best, if you have the time. But good quality store-bought ghee works perfectly well too. Look for ghee that’s made from cow’s milk for the best flavour.
• Nut Choices: Traditionally, almonds and cashews are used, but feel free to experiment! Walnuts or pistachios would also be lovely additions.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. First, let’s roast the coconut. Heat a pan over medium heat and roast the dry coconut until it’s golden brown and fragrant. Set it aside.
2. Now, heat about 2 tablespoons of ghee in the same pan. Fry the chopped almonds until they’re golden and crispy. Remove them and set aside. Repeat with the cashews.
3. Add another tablespoon of ghee and fry the raisins until they plump up nicely. Drain them on a paper towel.
4. This is the trickiest part: roasting the gond. Heat a little ghee in a pan and roast the gond in batches on low heat. It will puff up like popcorn! Be careful not to burn it, and make sure it’s evenly cooked.
5. Next, heat the remaining ghee in a large pan. Add the wheat flour and roast it on low-medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells wonderfully aromatic – this takes about 15-20 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent burning!
6. Transfer the roasted flour to a large mixing bowl. While it’s still hot, add the grated jaggery and mix well.
7. Coarsely grind the roasted almonds, cashews, and gond together. Add this mixture to the flour and jaggery.
8. Now, add the roasted coconut, cardamom powder, ginger powder, and nutmeg. Mix everything together really well.
9. This is where the elbow grease comes in! Knead the mixture thoroughly until it comes together.
10. While the mixture is still warm, shape it into small, round laddus.
11. Optional: Garnish with a few almond pieces on top of each laddu.

Expert Tips

• Don’t rush the roasting process! Roasting the flour and gond properly is key to getting the right texture and flavour.
• Work quickly when shaping the laddus, as the mixture will harden as it cools.
• If the mixture feels too dry, add a little more ghee, one teaspoon at a time.

Variations

• Vegan Adaptation: Swap the ghee for a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter. Use maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of jaggery.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of wheat flour.
• Spice Level: My friend, Priya, loves to add a pinch of black pepper to her gond ke laddu for an extra kick! Feel free to adjust the amount of ginger and nutmeg to your liking.
• Festival Adaptations: These are traditionally made for Lohri and Makar Sankranti, but they’re perfect for any winter celebration. My family always makes a big batch for Christmas too!

Serving Suggestions

Gond ke laddu are best enjoyed warm with a glass of milk or a cup of chai. They’re also a lovely treat to offer guests.

Storage Instructions

Store the gond ke laddu in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week, but honestly, they never last that long in my house!

FAQs

What are the health benefits of Gond Ke Laddu?

Gond is believed to be very nutritious, especially during winter. It’s thought to boost energy, strengthen bones, and help with joint pain.

Can I use powdered jaggery instead of grated?

Yes, you can! But grated jaggery tends to melt more easily and distribute better throughout the mixture.

How do I know when the gond is perfectly roasted?

It will puff up like popcorn and become light and airy. Be careful not to burn it!

What is the best way to store Gond Ke Laddu to maintain freshness?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I add other seeds like sesame or flax seeds to this recipe?

Absolutely! A tablespoon or two of sesame or flax seeds would add extra nutrients and a lovely texture.

Enjoy making these delicious and nourishing Gond Ke Laddu! Let me know how they turn out in the comments below. Happy cooking!