Mahua Laddoo
Veg
Vegan
Round sweets made from dried mahua (Madhuca longifolia) flowers — the forest tree whose creamy, honey-scented petals fall in spring and are collected, sun-dried, and stored. The dried flowers are roasted and mixed with jaggery, black sesame, and sometimes rice flour, then shaped into balls. The flavour is distinctive: sweet, floral, slightly fermented, with a depth found in no cultivated fruit or sugar.
Cuisines
Chhattisgarhi
Jharkhand
Best for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Recipe
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 30 min
Total: 45 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
| 1 cup | mahua flowers |
| 1 cup | wheat flour |
| 1/2 cup | jaggery |
| 1/4 cup | ghee |
| 1/4 cup | grated coconut |
| 1/4 teaspoon | cardamom powder |
| 2 tablespoons | chopped nuts (cashews and almonds) |
Instructions
- 1 Clean the mahua flowers thoroughly and soak them in water for about 2 hours.
- 2 Drain the soaked mahua flowers and grind them into a coarse paste.
- 3 In a pan, heat the ghee and roast the wheat flour on low flame until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma.
- 4 Add the grated coconut to the roasted flour and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- 5 Mix in the jaggery and stir until it melts completely.
- 6 Add the ground mahua paste and cardamom powder to the mixture, stirring continuously to combine all ingredients well.
- 7 Cook the mixture for another 5-7 minutes until it thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
- 8 Remove from heat and let it cool slightly until it is comfortable to handle.
- 9 Grease your palms with a little ghee and shape the mixture into small, round laddoos.
- 10 Garnish each laddoo with chopped nuts and allow them to set completely before serving.
Tips
Ensure the jaggery is completely melted before adding the mahua paste for a smooth texture.