Warming “Winter Laddus” Aka Sesame Seed Balls

May 6, 2022 Raman Sandhu

Sesame seeds hold a special place in the Indian kitchen during winter. As one of the most prized ingredients in Ayurveda for its innumerable health and beauty benefits, these seeds have a warming potency which is necessary to beat the cold in winter. Sesame seeds are highly nutritious and the best way to savor the superfood is by making some delicious and crunchy balls with jaggery.

With just 5 ingredients, it is one of the easiest snacks that can be made at home and can be stored up to a month without any preservatives. Here is the step-by-step guide to prepare these winter laddus.

Ingredients

2 cups sesame seeds (black or white)
1 cup jaggery
2 tsp clarified butter (ghee)
6-8 powdered cardamom
1 cup roasted almonds and cashews (optional)

Directions

On medium heat, dry roast sesame seeds until fragrant. The color will slightly darken and you will hear them crackling when roasted. Keep aside and let it cool.
In another pan, heat one teaspoon of clarified butter along with jaggery over a low flame. Stir continuously until the jaggery melts completely and becomes a smooth paste.
Turn off the flame. To the melted jaggery, add roasted sesame seeds, cashews, almonds, and cardamom powder. Mix well and evenly until there are no lumps.
Rub some ghee in the palms and take a spoonful of the mixture. Knead them to make smooth bite-size balls when the mixture is still slightly hot.
Coat a layer of roasted sesame seeds to make it crunchier. Store in a cool dry place. These laddus can be stored up to a month in an airtight container.

PS: Don’t roast the seeds for a long time, as it may taste bitter when overcooked. Don’t let the mixture to completely cool down as it becomes rigid to shape them.

Apart from its warming nature, sesame seeds are good source of calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, dietary fiber, and healthy fats. These seeds are known to promote hair growth and skin health. The presence of fiber also helps your digestion.