2tablespoonmilk 30 ml, divided, use non-dairy milk for vegan version
pinchsaffron strands
1teaspoon + 1 tablespoongheemelted, divided, use coconut oil for vegan version
2cupsalmond flour200 grams, use fine almond flour
1/2cuppowdered sugar60 grams, adjust to taste
1/2teaspooncardamom powder
Instructions
Make saffron milk before you start. Heat 1 tablespoon milk in a small pan, just warm it up, no need to boil. Once the milk is warm remove pan from heat, crush some saffron strands between your palms and add to the milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.
Add 1 teaspoon ghee into a pan on medium heat. Add almond flour, stir continuously and cook for around 3 to 4 minutes until it's fragrant. We do not want to brown the flour but just want to remove the raw aroma. Remove pan from heat.
To a blender, transfer the pan roasted almond flour. Also add the powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar/confectioners sugar) and the saffron milk that we had prepared earlier.
Add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder and 1 tablespoon ghee. Now blend until everything is well combined. I use twister jar from blendtec which does this easily, you can also a food processor or just your hands.Once everything is well combined, transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
Try and see if you are able to bind the mixture into ladoos, if you are unable to do so, add the remaining 1 tablespoon milk (this also makes them smoother so I usually add extra milk at this point). You may need more milk depending on the brand of almond flour being used.Now mix everything very well with your hands.
Take a small portion of the mixture and press between your palm. Then roll to give it a round shape like a ladoo. Make all ladoos similarly. Store these kesar badam ladoo in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
Use fine almond flour for this recipe. Almond meal that we get in the market isn't fine (it has almonds with skin on) so even though it will work in this recipe, I would not recommend it. Flour will give it a smoother texture.
Replace sugar with jaggery powder for a refined sugar version. But the ladoos will lose their yellow color if you do so.
You may adjust the sweetness of this ladoo to taste. They are lightly sweetened.
This makes 10 to 12 ladoos, it will make more if you make smaller ones.