Dates and Nuts Ladoo Recipe

ates and nuts ladoos, also known as energy balls, are a delightful and nourishing treat that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. These bite-sized snacks are packed with nutrients, offering a perfect combination of natural sweetness and healthy fats, making them ideal for anyone looking for a guilt-free snack. The best part? This version is completely sugar-free and diabetic-friendly, so you can enjoy them without worrying about blood sugar spikes.

In this recipe, we’re using dates as the natural sweetener, paired with a blend of mixed nuts, desiccated coconut, and a hint of cardamom powder for an aromatic touch. This recipe requires only five simple ingredients and is a great way to fuel your body with energy, thanks to the high nutritional value of dates and nuts.

Additionally, this recipe is versatile and can be adapted for winter months by adding warming spices and other seasonal ingredients. Let’s dive into the recipe and learn how to make these healthy, sugar-free energy balls.

Highlights of this Recipe:

• No added sugar: Uses dates as a natural sweetener, making these ladoos completely sugar-free.

• Diabetic-friendly: The use of Sweetify stevia sweetener ensures the recipe has no added sugars, making it safe for people with diabetes.

• 5-ingredient recipe: Simple, easy-to-find ingredients that you can use to make these ladoos in no time.

• Energy-boosting: Packed with healthy fats, fiber, and proteins, these ladoos make a great snack for sustained energy.

Ingredients

• Seedless dates (Khajoor) - 12/13 pieces
• Diabetic sweetener by Sweetify - 2Tsp
• Mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios) - 1 cup
• Desiccated coconut - ¼ cup
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Cardamom powder - 1 tsp

How to Make:

Step 1: Prepare the Dates, so the first step is to get them ready. Finely chop the seedless dates or blend them into a coarse paste using a food processor. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend them completely, but for this recipe, a coarse paste works well as it adds texture to the ladoos. These dates will not only provide sweetness but also bind the ingredients together.

Step 2: Roast the Mixed Nuts in a dry pan, lightly roast the mixed nuts on a low flame until they turn golden brown. Roasting the nuts brings out their natural oils and enhances their flavor. Make sure to stir them constantly to prevent them from burning. Once roasted, remove the nuts from the heat and allow them to cool. After cooling, chop them into small pieces. The chopped nuts will add a nice crunch to the ladoos and are packed with healthy fats and proteins.

Step 3: Cook the Dates Mixture in the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of ghee and allow it to melt over low heat. Next, add the chopped dates or the coarse date paste to the pan. Stir the mixture continuously to ensure that the dates soften and turn into a sticky, smooth paste. Cooking the dates in ghee makes them more pliable and helps bind the ingredients together.

Continue to stir for about 5 minutes or until the dates have fully softened and formed a thick, sticky consistency. This step is important as it creates the base for your ladoos.

Step 4: Mix in the Nuts and Coconut once the dates are softened, add the roasted mixed nuts, desiccated coconut, Sweetify stevia sweetener, and cardamom powder to the pan. The stevia sweetener adds a little extra sweetness, while the cardamom powder gives the ladoos a fragrant, warming flavor. Mix everything together well, ensuring that the nuts, coconut, and sweetener are evenly incorporated into the date mixture.

Continue to stir for a couple of minutes to allow all the ingredients to blend well. The mixture should now be sticky and slightly firm but still soft enough to shape into ladoos.

Step 5: Shape the Ladoos once the mixture is well combined, allow it to cool slightly so it’s easier to handle. Grease your hands with a little ghee (this will help prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands) and begin shaping the mixture into small, round ladoos. Press the mixture firmly to ensure that they hold their shape. If you find that the mixture is too sticky, you can place it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up slightly.

Step 6: Set the Ladoos once shaped, let the ladoos set at room temperature for about an hour. They will firm up as they cool. These ladoos can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, making them a perfect snack to have on hand whenever you need a quick energy boost.

Winter Recipe Variation:

In the winter months, you can easily adapt this recipe to include seasonal flavors that will keep you warm and energized. For a warming winter version, consider adding dried figs to the mixture for extra sweetness and fiber. You can also add a pinch of ginger powder or cinnamon for an extra kick of warmth, both of which are perfect for the colder months. Dried figs are naturally sweet and will blend well with the dates, while the spices will enhance the flavor and provide added health benefits like improving digestion and boosting immunity.

Nutrition facts per serving

• Calories: 150
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Added sugar: 0 g
• Fats: 8 g
• Saturated fats: 2 g
• Proteins: 3 g
• Fiber: 3 g

A sweet treat that’s both nourishing and guilt-free. Simple, isn’t it? Enjoy these laddoos as a healthy addition to your festive offerings!