Laddu: The Event Dessert Of India

In every special Indian event colorful presentations and attending honored guests are noticeably acknowledged. What others often overlook to notice is the sweet presence of a unique Indian dessert called Laddu.

Dubbed as the favorite dessert of the Gods, Laddu, which sometimes spelled as Ladoo, are usually made to mark a festival celebration or special household event such as weddings, engagement parties, and birthdays. It is worth taking to note why this simple stuffed-looking ball-shaped flour dipped in sugar syrup became the official dessert of Indian celebrations.

Hindu mythology accounts that a certain variety of laddu called Besan laddu is a favorite sumptuous dish of Lord Ganesha, an elephant-looking Hindu God who is the most worshipped in India. The dessert is always prepared as an offering to the Gods. Aside from the Besan laddu, which is prepared during India’s light festival called Diwali, another variant called Malai laddu is a popular offering in the temples. It is often made from cream that results from evaporating sweetened milk mixed with chickpea flour and butter then formed into cream balls.

Another variant is the Rava laddu, which is made from rava (cream of rice), ghee (melted butter) and sugar. This laddu dessert, however, is more seen during wedding rites. Hindu brides prepare the dessert to present to the family of the groom as an edible dowry before the final wedding ceremony. The number and quality of rava laddu offered serve as basis for the wealth and status of the bride’s family.

Non-Indian homes can also prepare this special dessert. Start off by heating ghee in a deep pan. Fry the cashew nuts and raisins and set aside when the two are golden brown and plump respectively. Put semolina in the same pan and set the stove in medium heat to make the semolina golden brown, which would take some time, while stirring it. Pour on milk, cardamom, clove powder, sugar including the fried cashew nuts and raisins. Continue stirring until the sugar and the milk is completely mixed. Switch off the stove and let the mixture to cool down. When no longer hot, shape the slightly sticky mixture into medium-sized balls, which should be placed in an airtight container while being refrigerated. You can, however, opt to eat it warm hot.

One must experience taking a bite of the dessert to truly understand why this dessert is so special in India. So if you happen to revel in one of India’s festivals or special household events go grab a laddu.