Thandai Coconut Ladoo Recipe – Easy Indian Sweet Treats

Last Updated on 4 months by Neha Deshmukh

Thandai Coconut Ladoo Recipe – Easy Indian Sweet Treats

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you love a good ladoo. They’re just the perfect little bite of happiness, right? And this Thandai Coconut Ladoo recipe? It’s a total game-changer. I first made these for Holi a few years back, and they were a huge hit – everyone kept asking for the recipe! They’re so easy to make, and the flavour is just divine. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Thandai Coconut Ladoos are special. They combine the cooling, fragrant flavours of thandai with the delightful chewiness of coconut. They’re perfect for festivals, celebrations, or just a sweet treat with your evening chai. Plus, they come together super quickly – seriously, minimal effort for maximum deliciousness!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these beauties:

• ¾ cup (approximately 75g) desiccated coconut powder (unsweetened)
• ½ cup (approximately 50g) thandai powder
• ½ cup (approximately 120ml) condensed milk (sweetened)
• 1 teaspoon (approximately 5ml) ghee
• 1 tablespoon (approximately 15g) chopped nuts (almonds, cashews – or a mix!)
• Extra desiccated coconut powder (for rolling)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients – a few little tips from my kitchen to yours!

Thandai Powder: Exploring Regional Variations & Homemade Options

Thandai powder is the star here! You can find it at most Indian grocery stores. The flavour can vary slightly depending on the brand, with some being more cardamom-forward and others more rose-scented. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make your own! It’s a bit of work, but totally worth it if you want to customize the spice blend.

Desiccated Coconut: Choosing the Right Kind for Ladoos

Unsweetened desiccated coconut is key. We want that lovely coconut flavour without adding extra sweetness. Make sure it’s nice and dry too – that helps the ladoos hold their shape.

Ghee: The Importance of Quality & Alternatives

Ghee adds a wonderful richness and aroma. I always use a good quality ghee for the best flavour. If you don’t have ghee, you can substitute with melted butter, but ghee really does make a difference.

Condensed Milk: Sweetness Level & Substitutions

Sweetened condensed milk provides the perfect amount of sweetness and helps bind everything together. You could experiment with using a slightly reduced amount if you prefer a less sweet ladoo.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. First, heat 1 teaspoon of ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add the desiccated coconut and thandai powder. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. You’ll know it’s ready when the kitchen smells amazing!
2. Now, reduce the heat to low. Pour in the condensed milk and stir, stir, stir! Make sure everything is fully combined with the coconut mixture.
3. Keep cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. This usually takes a few minutes. Once it reaches that stage, remove from the heat and let it cool slightly – just enough to handle comfortably.
4. Grease your hands with a little ghee (this is important – it stops the mixture from sticking!). Take a portion of the mixture, flatten it slightly in your palm, and add a sprinkle of chopped nuts in the center, if you’re using them.
5. Gently shape the mixture into a ball, then roll it in extra desiccated coconut until it’s fully coated. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used up.
6. And that’s it! Your Thandai Coconut Ladoos are ready to be served or stored.

Expert Tips

• Don’t overcook the mixture, or the ladoos will become hard.
• Greasing your hands well is crucial for easy shaping.
• If the mixture is too sticky, let it cool for a bit longer.
• For a more intense thandai flavour, add a pinch of cardamom powder.

Variations

I love experimenting with this recipe! Here are a few ideas:

Vegan Thandai Coconut Ladoo

Swap the ghee for coconut oil and the condensed milk for a vegan condensed milk alternative (made from coconut or cashew).

Gluten-Free Adaptations

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always double-check the ingredients of your thandai powder to ensure it hasn’t been processed in a facility that handles gluten.

Adjusting the Spice Level

If you like a bit more kick, add a tiny pinch of saffron strands or a dash of nutmeg to the mixture. My friend, Priya, loves adding a tiny bit of black pepper – it sounds strange, but it works!

Festival Adaptations (Holi, Diwali)

These are perfect for Holi, but also lovely for Diwali! You can add edible silver leaf (varak) for a festive touch.

Serving Suggestions

These ladoos are delicious on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of masala chai. They’re a great addition to any Indian sweet platter.

Storage Instructions

Store the ladoos in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week.

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions!

What is Thandai powder and where can I find it?

Thandai powder is a blend of spices, nuts, and seeds traditionally used to make the cooling summer drink, Thandai. You can find it at most Indian grocery stores, or online.

Can I make these ladoos ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make them a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container.

How do I prevent the ladoos from becoming too dry?

Make sure you don’t overcook the mixture. Also, storing them in an airtight container is key.

What nuts work best in this recipe?

Almonds and cashews are classic choices, but you can use any nuts you like – pistachios, walnuts, or even a mix!

Can I use coconut milk instead of condensed milk?

While you can try, it won’t give you the same texture or sweetness. Condensed milk is really important for binding the ladoos together. You’d need to reduce the liquid significantly and potentially add a sweetener.

Enjoy making these delicious Thandai Coconut Ladoos! I hope they bring a little sweetness to your day. Let me know how they turn out in the comments below!