May 22, 2009

Low-Calorie Sweet Semolina Balls (Rava Laddu)

first

These semolina laddus are a regular in the traditional Indian dessert menu. Normally hot ghee (clarified butter) is poured onto the flour and sugar mixture to bring them to a mass and then they are rolled into small balls. Even though those sweet rounds melt in your mouth, I am not sure they would be melting away from the hips anytime soon.

One thing to note is, when adding the warm milk (according to my method given below), make sure you do not add too much of it. I cannot stress the "less is more" theory on this one. As soon as you are able to form balls with the mixture (when it is still kind of dry) stop adding the milk, and work quickly. You may add more milk if the mixture starts to dry up at the end.
And when I say add milk, go by one tablespoon at a time. A very crucial step. Or one will end up with hard laddus at the end. They should break when slight pressure is applied. And that is a sign of a great laddu.

When you dry roast the semolina, and then grind it, do not expect it to turn into a powder completely. It will still remain slightly coarse. If you do achieve to make it into a fine powder, good for you! Please do share your tips as to how you do it.

I made them the first time a few years back, even before starting this blog. After making this version without the fat, I have never looked back.
There are many versions available on the Internet to make them, but here is my version of it.

middle

Low-Calorie Sweet Semolina Balls (Rava Laddu)

Ingredients:

Fine semolina - 1 cup
Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup (I used less, you may adjust according to taste)
Cardamom - 1/2 tsp
Broken cashew nuts - 3 tbsp
Raisins - 2 tbsp (optional)
Warm milk - Enough to form a ball
Melted butter/Ghee - 1 tbsp

Method:

Dry roast semolina well. Turn off heat just before it starts to turn slightly brown.
Let cool.

In a dry blender, grind semolina till powdery. It may not turn completely into a powder form, but close enough is good.

Add the powdered sugar, cardamom and blend the dry ingredients well.

Take the mixture in a bowl, add ghee, cashews and raisins.

Adding warm milk one tablespoon at a time, mix everything together. Just when it starts to form a ball, stop adding more milk. Quickly form into balls using the palms of your hands.
Adding too much milk will result in hard laddus. The lesser the better.

Place laddus in a layer on a plate and let cool.

Enjoy them without the guilt.

last

95 comments:

  1. This is my favorite laddoo.....I feel like picking it up from the computer:))

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just 1 tbsp Ghee...? Great recipe Anu.:) Your mint pulav is also the best and beautiful pics as usual.
    Sonu (sevenspice.wordpress.com)

    ReplyDelete
  3. ladoos look yum. i usually put 1 cup sugar for 1 cup rava... adding milk helps cut down calories....good one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is ages since I had rava laddu.A simple preparation, it is a sweet and inviting delicacy if taken once a while.It is a beutiful picture embellishing the post further

    ReplyDelete
  5. My fav ladu's Its been a long time since I made this... Broken cashew all over they should taste great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. They look pretty! ove the fact that they are low calorie!

    ReplyDelete
  7. naaiccee...
    1 tbsp ghee - am hooked :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I make them the same way by adding milk and as you said I have`nt looked back after trying this recipe. The one without the milk is too hard and find this method to be more tasty than the other one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice sweet and also the click :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Goodness gracious! These are beautiful & guilt free. I think without the ghee, i would just pop pop them :-D would be gone pretty quick..

    would not melt from hips.. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  11. nostalgic tea time snack :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hmm, perhaps I can try to next festival. They look like snow balls :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks awesome! My favourite laddoo :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMay 21, 2009

    These look like perfectly scrumptious little snacks! Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have never made ladoos becuase I cannot shape them well. These look gorgeous Anu! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. They look perfect gal..Yummy....loved ur less ghee version..and i never grind it after roasting..would like to try ur method soon..

    ReplyDelete
  17. love this idea of using milk instead of ghee. laddoos look yum!

    ReplyDelete
  18. yumm...my alltime fav, but im so lazy in making sweets..damn impatient i am

    ReplyDelete
  19. woww..my fav laadoo...ur blog is rocking..i loved these snaps..perfect in shape in color.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. mmm. those laddus look tooo tempting Divya! Yum :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. lovely laddoos .. these are guilt free for sure

    ReplyDelete
  22. very healthy for the amount of ghee used.

    ReplyDelete
  23. looks very tempting..cannot stop drooling over it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Loved the plate of guilt-free laddus. Its long since i made them and your pics are compelling me to make it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Without ghee, its a delicious and better way to make out those snow balls like laddoos!! Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  26. low calorie rava laddoo!!..definitely good..worth trying...

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is one fo my fav sweets....a low calorie version sounds interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  28. We call them Ravva laddu....Looks yummy....

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thats awesome - master stroke I can say...
    Love it! And low calorie too - wow!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! really guilt free ladoos. Lovely click.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Anu,
    U made me jump with joy ;)for these are really quite guilt free awwwwwwww the laddos look so cute like cotton balls :) lovely clicks.
    new tip learnt from u : to powder the rava after roasting...yipeee that'll lead to soft melt in mouth laddos,thanks...(lol...on ur melting away from the hips thingie ;))
    good one sweetie!
    TC

    ReplyDelete
  32. really a delight. lovely ladoos.I have never made them with milk...will surely give it a try...

    ReplyDelete
  33. what a cuties :) I feel like poping some in my mouth right now :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. lovely ravaa ladoo and very nice presentation.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi anu,I'm sorry this comment is so late. but the rawa laddu sans fat sounds tempting will try soon.Incidentally thanks for looking up my recipe blog too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anu, ladoos are look so good, yummy! Cute :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. wow!! this is lovely!!! It looks so fresh...my fav!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I ve always wanted to try these. the ammount of butter always kept me back. Now I can try your version which looks so good :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. this is such a neat way to enjoy ladoos without the guilt

    ReplyDelete
  40. My favo one Anu..But i have stopped taking sweets almost completely nowadays..This one i can try i suppose, you have usd only 1 tsp of ghee which is the point i got attracted most...Superb!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Absolute keeper. Have to try it...
    Awesome clicks... Looks so tempting...

    ReplyDelete
  42. I make almost a similar version of these and have posted them in my blog too.. Yours look gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  43. not aa big fan of the regular ladoos..but this...slurp...i feel like gobbling down a few of them!!:)

    ReplyDelete
  44. wow mouthwatering with only 1 spoon ghee ohh yea you add milk na so very helthy recipe one of my all time favorite sweet great pic.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Nice Laddus and Nice Click.Love it Divz

    ReplyDelete
  46. Your version sounds great.

    ReplyDelete
  47. This looks so tasty, especially with the cardamom.

    ReplyDelete
  48. laddoos look so yum,..

    ReplyDelete
  49. first time to ur blog.. wonderful blog.. yummy laddos.. felt like picking up one from the snap.... great clicks... :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Ladoos look Scrumptious and my favorite one...

    ReplyDelete
  51. Great blog... So many great recipes here, it will take me awhile to look through everything :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. I lovethis stuff.....everytimesome one comes from india,i ask them to bring this one.....i eat loads of them...uh!..but we add coconut too.....grated ones.....thankx fora healthier version...:)

    ReplyDelete
  53. This is one of my favorite recipes and this is so offset from the usual rava laddos which uses so much ghee.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Love this guiltless version. they look delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  55. the recipe looks amazing-and i'm going to go with using less sugar like you do, but one question, how long do these laddus keep?

    ReplyDelete
  56. rava laddoos look delicious..i havent made them in a while..feel like having one right now..nice click :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. hey dear u too back.. welcome. nice to see u with beautiful collection here. laddu looks yum and tempting.

    expecting more from ...and a litle bit more.....

    ReplyDelete
  58. Nice one Anu...I too avoid ghee...infact I add extra virgin olive oil instead...and trust me it tastes great nevertheless.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Delicious Laddu.. Nice click!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks so much for sharing this, Anu!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Looks so gud....lovely pics

    ReplyDelete
  62. I add warm milk too! Only its badam milk. Ghee is a bit much like you said :) Lovely, lovely pics!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hi Anu, Welcome back. Rava laddu is my favourite. Using milk makes low fat, awesome idea. Surely implement this.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Do you ever do gluten-free cooking? I would love it if you could enter an event I am hosting. I am trying to bridge the gap between gluten-free food bloggers and other food bloggers and would LOVE it if you could participate. Check it out - http://simplygluten-free.blogspot.com/2009/05/go-ahead-honey-its-gluten-free-june.html

    ReplyDelete
  65. Loved it....the best is its low cal...yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Nice o see u anu after a long time..Vow ladoos look fantastic.....even the pulao is tempting...I too make it the same way.

    ReplyDelete
  67. they look so awesome. i find the recipe a little difficult for me to try though... i can't seem to get proportions right when I have to use my wee little brain to decide how much to add....he he he. But i would love to have them anytime :-)

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hey Anu, this is my fav laddoo :-) How about using raw sugar to make it healthier? I guess the colour of the ladoos may change a bit, making it more of a creamy brown.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Great photos - I've never had these before but they look and sound tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  70. oooh - these contain lots of things I love and they're soooooo cute!

    ReplyDelete
  71. mmm..looks yum! Ok, you can send me these!!hahahahah!!

    This looks so easy I don't think even I can mess this up! Will let you know! No, I am still NOT starting a food blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving me a wonderful comment.
    Vow ladoos look fantastic and tempting too.Low calorie,low sugar I am hooked on it

    ReplyDelete
  73. wow you used only 1 tbsp of ghee!...that sure is a healthy laddu :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. I've never had semolina before, but I keep hearing about how dessert savvy it can be. I'll have to try and check these out. The cashews are a nice touch :)

    ReplyDelete
  75. What a fun little treat!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Anu,
    Rava laddu is my FAVORITE dessert ever! Thank you so much. You are making me crave some...I want some RIGHT NOW! Thanks again...I am going to make them soon.
    http://borntohog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  77. woww lovely ladooss.. sooo tempting.. and nice clicks.. thanks for the recipe

    ReplyDelete
  78. these are really low fat sweet balls ready to be grabbed :)

    ReplyDelete
  79. Lovely ladoos, i have one in my draft :)

    ReplyDelete
  80. Fantastic looking laddus. Looks as good (if not more) as the ones loaded with fat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  81. First time here and must say totally impressed. Couldn't wait to go through the whole thing and thought should tell you. I am kinda obsessed with healthy eating and I stopped at right place.

    ReplyDelete
  82. One of my favorite sweets, which sweet isn't ? :-(......looks perfect, great pictures ! I usually make it this way with milk instead of ghee too...

    ReplyDelete
  83. This surely tempts me to make the laddus more often,thanks for the guilt-free laddu recipe,anudivya:)

    ReplyDelete
  84. AnonymousJune 05, 2009

    Anu:

    Obviously, you cannot be eating all these laddoos by your self! So what do you do with these delicacies after you make them?

    If you are looking to send them to friends, I can send my mailing address? bol, bol?

    ReplyDelete
  85. Anu Thank you so much for the support dear. I got a mail from blogger that they are investigating, Let us see what happens.and that fellow didn't post any new post but he didn't remove the blog.and he is having his blog in blog catalog and we leave our comments there also. any way it is Saturday and Sunday no I think let us wait and see till Monday. Thank you so much once again dear.

    ReplyDelete
  86. These are so cute! They are so mouth watering!

    ReplyDelete
  87. hey lovely little ladoos.. have bookmarked it ! my hubby is sweet toothed !

    ReplyDelete
  88. You site looks fab.I might try the rava laddus.Thanks for visiting mine

    ReplyDelete
  89. Hey Divya, Love all your recipes...I tried a few and they were too good..Can't wait to try rest of them..Too bad, I din't come across your blog all these days..I am glad I did atleast now :D

    ReplyDelete
  90. Tried them today and just loved them!

    ReplyDelete
  91. I made ur dates oats and nuts fudge and posted it : http://sharmis-passions.blogspot.com/2010/01/dates-oats-and-nuts-fudge-its-sugarfree.html

    ReplyDelete
  92. I made it instantly after reading your recipe and subtituted sugar with splenda( to cut even more calorie) and they turned out great :)Thanks for sharing a great recipe !!

    ReplyDelete
  93. Hi,
    I was searching the net for low-calorie ladoos, and found your recipe. It worked out wonderfully. I went a little lower on the calories with SugarFree and no ghee. But it tastes just as good. Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to be making a lot more of these. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post. I will try to respond to queries as soon as I can. If I miss anything that needs to be addressed... please feel free to ping me again.
Happy cooking/baking or whatever it is you are doing in the kitchen! :)