Kajur Til Ladoo

I can hear my mom and every possible Indian matriach chuckling over the title of this recipe. These yummy date bliss balls are called Til ke Ladoo, that literally translates to Sesame bliss balls. They have been an age old sweet snack in India enjoyed specially in the winter. Laddu is a sweet treat usually made with one or combination of different (seeds, nuts, grain flour, chickpea/legume flour). It is first roasted with or without ghee to bring out the naturally nuttiness and get partially cooked, then the flour is mixed with sugar or syrup and rolled into a ball. Some kind of flavor is usually added like cardamom, saffron to enrich the flavor of the ladoo. These ladoos are delicious and nutritious sweet treats specially in the winter, as sesame is considered warming to the body according to Ayurveda. The recipe is fairly straight forward, once you gather your ingredients the recipe comes together quickly. Check the notes for tips and substitutes.

How to make perfect Date Balls

1. Dates: Fresh dates are the best, they’re soft and jammy, this helps with mashing them into a ball. If your dates are not as soft, soaking them in warm water for a few minutes helps. My choice of dates are local California Medjool. Just make sure you keep the ladoo/bliss balls refrigerated for longer life. If you prefer sweeter ladoo/bliss balls use about 12 ounces pitted dates, start with 8 ounce and go up to your sweetness level.
2. Sesame Seeds: White sesame seeds are the best, look for toasted, but one can easily toast them at home.
3. Flavors: Cardamon is traditionally used and its delicious. Other options are vanilla, cinnamon.
4. Cashews: I like to add some cashews to balance the strong nutty flavor of sesame seeds, not everyone likes the strong flavor of sesame, also cashews make the ladoo a little extra soft and creamy.
5. Note a lot depends on the softness of the dates and the sweetness desired. You may need to adjust the sesame or cashews accordingly. It is a freestyle kind a recipe that way.

Date Sesame Ladoo or Bliss Balls, makes about 15

• 8-12 ounces soft pitted dates, Medjool preferably
• 1 cup toasted sesame seeds + 2-3 tablespoons for rolling, totally optional
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Warm a skillet and dry roast the sesame seeds until toasty and lightly golden. Allow them to cool and pulse them in a food processor until you get a fine powder, add salt and cardamom. Transfer to a mixing bowl and set aside. Powder the cashews and add it to the same bowl.
2. Using a fork mash the dates or pulse them in same food processor until you get a smooth paste. Add it to the mixing bowl.
3. Add the vanilla if using. Mix everything to form a soft firm dough. Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes to firm up. Scoop about a tablespoon sized dough and roll it into a ball. Continue rolling until all the dough is used up.
4. If you wish roll them in the extra sesame seeds to make them look pretty. Enjoy.
5. For longer life store in a airtight container refrigerated for up to one week.