Choco Coconut Laddoos ~ Deepavali Special

In India the festive season has now fully bloomed into one of its most beautiful festivals ~ Deepavali also called as Diwali, the festival of lights. I am sure that preparations are in full swing in all those homes that celebrate. While a lot of people prepare almost all the sweets at home many still heavily bank on mithaiwalas (sweetmeat vendors) to provide the mithai that is so much a part of this festival.

Although we don’t celebrate this festival at home, I do try and prepare at least one sweet dish at home. It’s impossible not to catch the infectious excitement that revolves around gorgeous food this season! My friends and I have been discussing about it for weeks now. ‘What are you making for Diwali?’ is how most of our conversations on chat begin.

I must have gone through a million recipe ideas this season. From flipping through endless pages of recipe books that I own to browsing through online resources. Almost everything was out there. Some easy recipes, some others not so easy. Everything however is so mouthwatering that I have put on a few kilos just thinking about them! Honestly, I can’t wait to try out each of the goodies even after Deepavali is over.

This recipe is absolutely simple. Just a few ingredients and 15 minutes later you have created the most delectable looking little laddoos that can win anyone over. What’s more, the dark chocolate in them makes for a sweet that scores between less sweet to moderately sweet and is perfect for those who don’t nurture a sweet tooth. But for those who do, well, just replace the dark chocolate with plain milk chocolate – although I wouldn’t recommend it.

I am sure that little ones if any will also enjoy making them 🙂 What’s best is that not only are the laddoos finger lickin’ good…tiny tots will literally lick their fingers & hands – totally stained with all that delicious chocolate! So go ahead and make them. Guilt free!

Happy Deepavali folks! Have a safe and beautiful time with your loved ones!

• 2 cups (140 gms) dessicated coconut + 1/2 cup for rolling * see notes
• 1 cup (100 gm) dark or semi sweet chocolate, grated
• 1/4 cup almond powder *see notes
• 4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk *see notes
• 1 tablespoon warm milk (optional)

1. In a large wide bowl mix 2 cups of dessicated coconut and almond powder. Spread out the remaining 1/2 cup of dessicated coconut in a flat steel plate. This is for rolling

2. Place the grated chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it on HIGH for about 1 minute or until it melts. Remove and whisk the chocolate with a spoon till smooth and pour it into the coconut and almond mixture.

3. Add the condensed milk to the mixture and mix until well incorporated. Don’t over mix as it will turn stiff. Add the warm milk drop by drop only if you feel that some moisture is required.

4. Pinch out small portions to make lime sizes laddoos and roll each one of them in the reserved dessicated coconut.

5. Serve immediately or store in an airtight box for upto 2 days.

1. If you dont have dessicated powder you can use regular/freshly grated coconut that has been lightly dry roasted for a couple of minutes. Take care to see that the coconut doesn’t change its colour. Alternatively you can place the coconut on a baking sheet and place it in a hot oven to dehydrate it a bit.
2. If you don’t have store bough almond powder you may make your own by blanching the almonds. Just dry them well before powdering them – pulse them in a dry grinder but don’t grind to paste.
3. Depending on how dark the chocolate is you can adjust the amount of condensed milk used. You can add around 4-5 tablespoons or just adjust the moistness of the laddoos with the help of warm milk – add it a few drops at a time and gently mix.