Indulge in the wholesome goodness of Sugar-Free Sesame Seed Laddu, a delightful and guilt-free Indian sweet treat! Made with just a handful of natural ingredients, these laddus combine the nutty richness of toasted sesame seeds, the sweetness of pitted dates, and the crunch of almonds, all beautifully spiced with aromatic cardamom. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, requiring only 25 minutes from start to finish, and it skips added sugar in favor of naturally sweet and nutrient-rich dates. Perfect for festive occasions, healthy snacking, or even as an on-the-go energy bite, these laddus are a gluten-free and vegan-friendly option (with optional ghee for added indulgence). Serve them fresh or store them for laterβeither way, theyβre sure to be a flavorful crowd-pleaser!
Begin by lightly toasting the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously to ensure they do not burn. This should take about 5-6 minutes or until they are golden brown and aromatic. Remove them from the pan and set aside to cool.
In the same pan, toast the almonds for about 3-4 minutes until they turn a light golden color and give off a nutty aroma. Allow them to cool before transferring to a food processor.
Pulse the toasted almonds in the food processor until they form a coarse powder. Be careful not to over-process as they can turn into almond butter.
Add the pitted dates to the food processor along with the almond powder. Pulse the mixture until it forms a thick, sticky dough. If the mixture is too dry, add about 1 tablespoon of water to help it bind together.
Add the cardamom powder and the toasted sesame seeds into the processor. Pulse again to combine everything evenly.
Optional: For a more indulgent flavor, melt 1 teaspoon of ghee and mix it into the laddu mixture. This can help in binding as well as add richness to the laddus.
Once the mixture is ready, take small portions and roll them into smooth round balls using your palms to make laddus. Make sure they are tightly packed so they hold their shape.
Continue this process until all the mixture has been used. This recipe yields approximately 12 laddus depending on size.
Store the sesame seed laddus in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for a week or refrigerated for up to a month.
Calories |
1995 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 115.0 g | 147% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.6 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 14 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 20 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 230.2 g | 84% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 43.5 g | 155% | |
| Total Sugars | 162.5 g | ||
| Protein | 45.1 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1810 mg | 139% | |
| Iron | 27.1 mg | 151% | |
| Potassium | 2386 mg | 51% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.