Thokkudu Laddu Recipe

Thokkudu Laddu, an ancient Andhra Pradesh sweet, is also known as Bandar Laddu locally.. It is a delicious sweets prepared from gram flour, sugar, and ghee.  You mix these ingredients carefully to create a soft and delicious sweet. Making Thokkudu Laddu is like an art. You have to pound the mixture just right to get that smooth texture that everyone loves. It’s not just a sweet; it’s a way to celebrate tradition and culture

Ingredients:

1 cup besan (chickpea flour)

¾ cup water (divided use)

Oil (for deep frying)

3 tablespoons ghee (divided use)

2 tablespoons cashews

¾ cup sugar

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

Instructions:

Prepare the Karapusa (Janthikalu):

1. Mix besan with just enough water to make a stiff dough.
2. Heat a deep pan with 1 cup of ghee.
3. Grease your muruku mold or chakkali press.
4. Take a portion of the dough and fill the mold or press.
5. When the ghee is hot, reduce the flame to medium and press the dough into the ghee.
6. Deep fry until crusty, ensuring the color doesn’t turn dark.
7. Transfer the fried karapusa to a sieve or tray and let them cool.
8. Crumble the karapusa into pieces and save the leftover ghee.

Pound the Karapusa:

1. Pound the crumbled karapusa in a stone pestle or mixer until it turns into a fine powder.
2. Divide the karapusa into two batches and pound them. Avoid overheating the mix.

Make the Sugar Syrup:

1. In a pan, combine jaggery and water, melt until completely dissolved, then sieve to remove impurities.
2. Return the filtered syrup to the pan and boil until it achieves a one-string consistency.

Combine the Ingredients:

1. Mix the pounded karapusa with the jaggery syrup.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee and ground cardamom.
3. Mix well to form a smooth mixture.

Shape the Laddus:

1. While the mixture is still warm, shape it into small laddus using your hands.
2. Allow them to cool completely before serving.

Tips for the Best Thokkudu Laddus

Roast Carefully: Roast the gram flour on low heat and keep stirring to avoid burning.

Use good ghee. Good quality ghee gives a rich taste. Homemade ghee is even better.

Mix Well: Make sure the ghee and sugar are mixed evenly for the best texture.

Adjust sweetness: You can add more or less powdered sugar to suit your taste.

Cool Before Shaping: Let the mixture cool slightly before shaping the laddus. This makes it easier to handle.

Store Properly: Keep the laddus in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Enjoy your homemade Thokkudu Laddus with family and friends during celebrations or as a sweet treat anytime. These laddus are sure to impress with their rich flavor and soft texture