Indulge in the heavenly sweetness of Coconut Ladoos, also known as Narkel Naru, a beloved Indian dessert that delights taste buds with its rich coconut flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
These delightful coconut balls are a popular treat during festivals, celebrations, and special occasions, spreading joy and happiness among all who savor them.
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients like freshly grated coconut, sugar, powder milk and a touch of aromatic cardamom,
Coconut Ladoos are not only delicious but also easy to prepare.
Key Takeaways:
- Coconut Ladoo, also known as Narkel Naru, is a beloved Indian dessert known for its rich coconut flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- These delightful coconut balls are popular during festivals and celebrations, spreading joy among those who savor them.
- The recipe uses simple ingredients like freshly grated coconut, sugar, Amul milk powder, and cardamom for easy preparation.
- The process of roasting the coconut and combining it with sugar and cardamom creates a luscious mixture that forms into soft and delectable ladoos.
- Coconut Ladoo offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and coconut flavor, making it a cherished favorite for those with a sweet tooth or anyone looking for a homemade dessert to celebrate special moments.
The Ingredients
- Coconut: 2 cup (grated)
- Sugar: 1 cup
- Amul milk powder: 4 tbsp
- Cardamom powder: ⅓ tbsp
How to Make Coconut Ladoo (Step by Step Images)?
1. At first, mix the grated coconut with sugar. Mix it very well, so the sugar starts melting. Keep it aside for 5 minutes.
(Expert tip: If you want, you can directly mix the sugar and coconut while cooking. If it is coarse sugar, make sure to take a little bit less than 1 cup.)
2. Add the coconut mixture to the wok. Stir it continuously over low to medium heat until the sugar melts and the mixture looks soggy.
3. Keep stirring for 5 minutes until the moisture mostly dried up. Reduce the flame and continue stirring; otherwise, it will stick to the bottom.
4. Now, add the Amul milk powder. Add it when there’s still some moisture left in the preparation; otherwise, it will be hard to mix when the preparation is completely dried up. Thoroughly mix the milk and coconut mixture.
5. Next, add the remaining milk powder and cardamom powder. Thoroughly mix everything again.
6. The milk and coconut mixture should be properly mixed up by now. It’s almost done. Take it off the flame. It’s ready!
(Expert tip: The mixture should be stirred very well; otherwise, the ladoos will not get a good shape.)
7. Now spread the coconut mixture on a plate.
8. Now, give the ladoos a round ball-like shape. To do this, take small portions of the mixture and smash them with a spoon. Take one spoonful at a time to ensure that all the ladoos are the same size.
9. Grease your hand with a little bit of ghee. Then, take one spoonful of the mixture and shape it into a round ball with one hand. Once it’s roughly shaped, use both hands to make it smooth and even.
(Expert tip: Uniform size and smooth shaping will enhance the presentation of your ladoos.)
10. Repeat this process to make all the ladoos.
11. Coconut Ladoo is ready and transferred to a plate.
Pro Tips for Making Best Coconut Ladoo
To make the best Coconut Ladoo, follow these pro tips that will elevate the flavor, texture, and overall experience of this delightful Indian dessert:
Use Freshly Grated Coconut: Opt for freshly grated coconut for the best taste and texture. Avoid using desiccated coconut as it may not yield the same luscious and moist ladoos.
Roast the Coconut: Dry roast the grated coconut on low heat before adding sugar. This step helps to remove excess moisture from the coconut and enhances its natural flavor.
Adjust Sugar to Taste: The level of sweetness can vary based on personal preference. Start with the recommended amount of sugar and adjust it according to your taste buds. Remember that the sweetness will intensify slightly as the ladoos cool down.
Use Good Quality Sugar: Choose fine granulated sugar for a smooth and even sweetness in the ladoos. Avoid using coarse sugar as it may not dissolve properly.
Add a Hint of Cardamom: Cardamom adds a warm and aromatic note to the Coconut Ladoo. Use freshly ground cardamom seeds for the best flavor. Adjust the amount according to your preference for cardamom flavor.
Use Ghee for Binding: Ghee (clarified butter) not only enhances the flavor but also acts as a binding agent, helping the mixture come together to form ladoos. Use ghee sparingly; a little goes a long way.
Be Patient While Cooking: Stir the coconut and sugar mixture continuously on low to medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. The mixture should thicken and start to leave the sides of the pan when ready.
Grease Hands with Ghee: Grease your palms with a little ghee while shaping the ladoos to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. This makes it easier to form smooth and round ladoos.
Garnish with Nuts: For added texture and visual appeal, garnish the Coconut Ladoos with chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, or pistachios. Gently press the nuts onto the surface of the ladoos.
Let the Ladoos Cool: Allow the ladoos to cool down completely before transferring them to an airtight container. This helps them set properly and retain their shape.
Store Properly: Store the Coconut Ladoos in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you plan to keep them for a longer duration, refrigerate them to maintain freshness.
By following these pro tips, you’ll create Coconut Ladoos that are not only visually appealing but also perfectly balanced in sweetness and infused with the delightful flavor of coconut and cardamom.
What to Serve with Coconut Ladoo?
Coconut Ladoos are versatile and can be served on their own as a delightful sweet treat. However, they can also be paired with various accompaniments to enhance the overall dining experience.
Here are some delicious options to serve with Coconut Ladoos:
Masala Chai: A classic combination in Indian cuisine, serve Coconut Ladoos with a steaming cup of masala chai (spiced tea). The warm and aromatic flavors of the tea complement the sweet and coconutty taste of the ladoos, creating a delightful contrast.
Milk: Coconut Ladoos can be enjoyed with a glass of cold or warm milk. The creamy and comforting taste of milk balances the sweetness of the ladoos and makes for a satisfying dessert.
Green Cardamom Tea: For an aromatic and refreshing pairing, serve Coconut Ladoos with green cardamom tea. The subtle flavors of cardamom in the tea enhance the cardamom notes in the ladoos.
Fresh Fruits: Balance the sweetness of the ladoos with a platter of fresh fruits like sliced mangoes, strawberries, or grapes. The juicy and natural sweetness of the fruits complements the coconut flavor of the ladoos.
Ice Cream: For a more indulgent dessert experience, serve Coconut Ladoos with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or coconut ice cream. The combination of the creamy ice cream and the soft ladoos creates a delightful harmony of textures and flavors.
Ultimately, the choice of accompaniments depends on personal preferences and the occasion.
Whether served on its own or paired with various accompaniments, Coconut Ladoo is sure to be a delightful and satisfying treat that brings joy to any celebration or gathering.
How Does Coconut Ladoo Taste?
Coconut Ladoo has a delectable and indulgent taste that is predominantly sweet and coconutty. The flavor profile of Coconut Ladoo can be described as follows:
Sweetness: Coconut Ladoo is a sweet confection made with grated coconut and sugar. The sweetness is well-balanced to enhance the coconut flavor without being overly sugary.
Coconut Flavor: The star ingredient of Coconut Ladoo is, of course, coconut. The grated coconut provides a rich and pronounced coconut flavor, which is the highlight of the dessert.
Creamy: The addition of powder milk contributes to the creamy taste of the ladoo. This enhances the overall richness of the dessert.
Cardamom Aroma: Some recipes call for the addition of cardamom powder, which infuses the Coconut Ladoo with a gentle and pleasant aromatic note. The subtle spiciness of cardamom complements the sweetness and coconut flavor.
Ghee: Ghee (clarified butter) is often used in the preparation of Coconut Ladoo, and it adds a subtle buttery taste that further enhances the overall richness of the dessert.
Texture: Coconut Ladoo has a soft and slightly chewy texture due to the use of grated coconut. When shaped into ladoos, they have a melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes them utterly satisfying.
Garnishing: Some variations of Coconut Ladoo are garnished with chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the sweet treat.
Overall, Coconut Ladoo offers a delightful combination of sweet, coconutty, and creamy flavors.
The taste is reminiscent of traditional Indian desserts with a tropical twist, making it a beloved treat during festivals, celebrations, or as an after-meal indulgence.
The luscious and aromatic profile of Coconut Ladoo makes it a crowd-pleaser for those with a sweet tooth and a love for coconut-based desserts.
Coconut Ladoo Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to Coconut Ladoo or want to explore different coconut-based desserts, here are some delightful options:
Coconut Barfi: Coconut Barfi is a popular Indian sweet made with grated coconut, sugar, and condensed milk. It has a fudge-like texture and is often flavored with cardamom or rose water. Coconut Barfi is cut into square or diamond shapes and garnished with nuts.
Coconut Peda: Coconut Peda is a variation of the traditional Peda, where grated coconut, khoya/mawa (milk solids), sugar, and cardamom are cooked together to form small, bite-sized round sweets. It has a creamy texture and a delightful coconut flavor.
Coconut Modak: Coconut Modak is a special Indian sweet often prepared during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is made with a mixture of grated coconut, jaggery, and nuts, shaped into dumpling-like sweets, and steamed or fried.
Coconut Macaroons: Coconut macaroons are a popular Western dessert made with shredded coconut, egg whites, sugar, and a hint of vanilla. These light and airy cookies have a crisp exterior and a chewy coconut center.
Coconut Chikki: Coconut Chikki is a crunchy and sweet Indian snack made by mixing grated coconut and jaggery and then shaping it into thin, brittle-like squares. It is a delightful treat enjoyed during festivals.
Coconut Laddu with Nuts: To add extra texture and flavor, you can create Coconut Laddu with the addition of chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios, or cashews. The nuts add a delightful crunch and a nutty taste to the ladoo.
Nariyal Ki Kheer (Coconut Kheer): Coconut Kheer is a creamy and rich Indian rice pudding made with coconut milk, rice, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and saffron. It offers a luxurious coconut experience in the form of a comforting dessert.
Coconut Pancakes: Coconut pancakes are a delightful breakfast or dessert option made by incorporating shredded coconut into the pancake batter. These pancakes have a lovely coconut flavor and a fluffy texture.
Coconut Ice Cream: Coconut ice cream is a refreshing and creamy frozen treat made with coconut milk, sugar, and coconut flakes. It’s a great alternative to traditional dairy ice creams and offers a tropical twist to dessert time.
By exploring these alternatives, you can enjoy a diverse range of coconut-based desserts that cater to different tastes and preferences.
Whether you prefer the traditional Indian sweets or want to venture into international coconut desserts, there’s a delightful coconut treat for everyone to savor.
Recipe Card:
Coconut Ladoo (Chinir Narkel Naru)
Ingredients
- 2 cup Coconut (grated)
- 1 cup Sugar
- 4 tablespoons Milk powder
- ⅓ tablespoon Cardamom powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Coconut Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine freshly grated coconut with sugar. Thoroughly mix the two ingredients so that the sugar starts to melt. Allow the mixture to rest for about 5 minutes.(Expert tip: If using coarse sugar, consider using slightly less than 1 cup to ensure the right sweetness level.)
- Cook the Coconut Mixture: Transfer the coconut mixture to a wok or pan. Over low to medium heat, continuously stir the mixture until the sugar melts completely, and the mixture turns slightly soggy in texture.
- Reduce Moisture: Continue stirring for approximately 5 minutes until most of the moisture is dried up. If needed, reduce the flame to prevent sticking at the bottom.
- Add Amul Milk Powder: While there's still some moisture left in the mixture, add Amul milk powder. This step ensures easier mixing as the preparation dries up. Thoroughly combine the milk powder with the coconut mixture.
- Flavor with Cardamom: Introduce the remaining milk powder and aromatic cardamom powder to the mixture. Stir everything well to achieve a homogenous blend of flavors.
- Perfect the Mixture: The milk and coconut mixture should now be properly combined. Remove it from the heat as it nears completion.(Expert tip: Ensure thorough stirring for well-formed ladoos.)
- Shape the Ladoos: Spread the coconut mixture on a plate to cool down slightly. To form round ball-like shapes, take small portions of the mixture and gently press them with a spoon. Consistency in portion size guarantees uniformly shaped ladoos.
- Smooth and Even: Grease your hands with a touch of ghee. Take one spoonful of the mixture and shape it into a round ball using one hand. Then, use both hands to make it smooth and evenly shaped.(Expert tip: Uniformity in size and smooth shaping enhances the presentation.)
- Repeat and Finalize: Repeat the process until all the ladoos are skillfully shaped.
- Serving Coconut Ladoo: Now, your delicious Coconut Ladoos are ready! Transfer them to a plate for serving or store them in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Info (Estimation Only)
Conclusion
Coconut ladoos or Narkel Naroo is delicious Bengali homemade sweet.
These are a delectable treat that requires careful mixing of coconut and sugar and cooking nicely perfectly with other ingredients.
The addition of Amul milk powder and cardamom powder adds a delightful flavor.
Shaping the ladoos with greased hands ensures uniformity, resulting in a delicious and visually appealing final product. Enjoy these amazing sweets!
