Homemade

Khapli Atta

Ladoos Make The Perfect Edible Gift This Festive Season

In recent years, there has been a dramatic shift in the Indian gifting scene, as packing quantity over quality is no longer enough. Nowadays, whether it is a Diwali hamper or any festive gift, each box tells a story about how it is carefully curated with an assortment of edible gifts. One such must-have gift item is bite-sized Khapli Atta Ladoos. They can satisfy your loved ones' craving for sweets, and they don't take much time to prepare either.

This atta is made with an ancient grain called emmer, which is rich in nutrients, has a low glycemic index, low gluten content, and high protein and fibre content. Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta is one such premium pack that uses a traditional stone-grinding method to grind this heritage grain, while preserving these essential nutrients. In this ladoo recipe, this quality flour offers a deep nutty flavour and pairs well with the fragrant cardamom powder and nuts, ensuring that when you make ladoos with this flour, you will be blessed with these nutritional qualities of the grain.

Description:

• Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta: 1¼ cup

• Ghee: ½ cup

• Caster Sugar: 1 cup

• Rose Essence: 2 drops

• Crushed Almonds: ⅓ cup

• Crushed Cashews: 2 tbsp

• Crushed Pistachios: 2 tbsp

• Cardamom Powder: ¼ tsp

Typically, these atta ladoos are made with ingredients that are easy to find at home. In this recipe, sugar gives the dish its sweetness, Khapli Atta in the ladoos adds a nutty finish. The rich, dense ghee further completes the dessert, bringing all the ingredients and their flavours together to perfection.

Heat a clean, non-stick saucepan on low-medium heat. Then add one and a half cups of Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta to the pan and dry roast it for about 12-15 minutes. Keep folding the flour continuously to ensure that it doesn't burn. After some point, add in the crushed almonds, crushed cashews, and crushed pistachios, and continue roasting until the Khapli Atta turns slightly golden brown. This roasting develops flavour and removes the raw taste of the flour.

Then, in the roasted atta, pour half a cup of ghee generously. Combine the ingredients until it becomes a runny dough consistency. Keep folding as you add cardamom powder. After some time, the dough will begin to thicken. Once it reaches this consistency, take it off the heat. Then transfer the thick atta ladoo dough to a clean mixing bowl. While it is still warm, add in the caster sugar. Mix the two until you are left with a crumbly dough coated evenly in sugar. At last, add the rose essence and mix the dough again.

Now that your atta ladoo dough is done, let's get ready to shape the ladoos. Clear the rest of the counter and set a plate, greased slightly with oil, next to your dough. Now, carefully take a handful of the crumbly dough and roll it in your hands to form a ball. Transfer these atta ladoos gently onto the plate, ensuring they do not break in the process. Drizzle in your favourite dried nuts, and that's it.

Make sure not to skimp on the roasting time of the wheat flour. This process not only gives the dough its darker colour but also boosts its nutty aroma, which is the signature of the Khapli Atta Ladoo. Additionally, if you are not so keen on using sugar, then try honey, dates, or jaggery as your sweet alternatives. Each will give you a unique flavour profile. To make it a kid's favourite, you can incorporate about two or three tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into the existing recipe for a fun take on the classic.

For a well-balanced gift hamper, always add some savoury items like spiced crackers, namkeen, etc., to your basket that contrast these sweet Khapli Atta Ladoos. Make the present more special by handwriting the recipe or including a letter that explains your choice of Khapli Atta. Pack these treats in eco-friendly boxes, glass jars, or hand-tied pouches, and use tissue or parchment paper to separate the sweet ladoos from the savoury items.