These Chocolate Ladoos made with almond flour, condensed milk and cocoa powder are sure to satisfy your cravings for Indian sweets! They take only 20 minutes to make, and can be served as a festive dessert for special occasions, or just a quick weekday treat.
These Chocolate Ladoo's are very similar to Condensed Milk Chocolate Truffles. They only have 4 main ingredients, and are much healthier than traditional ladoos, due to the addition of almond flour.
If you did not know, almond flour is a great addition to Indian sweet recipes. I add it to my Coconut Ladoo recipe, and make Almond Flour Halwa and Badam Katli with it. It adds great flavor and also makes the sweets healthier.
This is a no-fail recipe perfect to make with kids. I made this at the special request of my daughter (or rather she pestered me until I made it ;-)).
The good thing is she helped me all through the recipe - chopping the almonds slices with her kid-friendly knife and then rolling the balls once the cooked mixture cooled down. You can even roll them in sprinkles for a fun, colorful treat!
These ladoo's are also a great home-cooked gift for little kids. Pack them in a box for Raksha Bandhan or Diwali. See the pic below of how I would pack them!
If you enjoy these Healthy Chocolate Ladoos, you must also try making Besan Ladoo, and Coconut Ladoos! These recipes are also very quick and easy to make, and result in equally sweet treats.
Ingredients to make Healthier Chocolate Ladoo
Sweetened Condensed Milk - This is the base of the ladoos, and what adds the sweetness to the dessert.
Almond Flour - This will help hold the balls together, and also makes these ladoo's healthier. I typically get a large bag of almond flour from Costco. If you don't have almond flour, you can grind whole almonds to a fine powder.
Cocoa Powder - This adds the perfect touch of chocolate, and what will make it popular with kids!
Chopped Nuts - I used almonds, but other nuts can be used too, like walnuts.
Desiccated/Shredded Coconut - For a final touch to roll the balls, and decorate them.
How to make Chocolate Ladoo?
This recipe is so simple, you'll make them anytime!
Start with adding the butter and condensed milk into a pan. Cook on medium-low heat while stirring continuously to make sure nothing sticks. Once the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan, add the cocoa powder and almond flour. Keep mixing to remove any lumps, and get a smooth paste.
Grease a large plate or baking sheet with melted butter. Pour the mixture onto this surface, and use a spatula to smooth the top. Now let it cool until it is just a little warm, and safe to touch.
Apply some ghee or butte to your palms and take small portions of the mixture (use a spoon to measure if it helps or use a knife to make squares on the spread mixture). Roll them in between your palms into cherry-sized balls.
Keep the chopped nuts and desiccated coconut on a cutting board. Roll the balls on the nuts or coconut, or leave them plain; this is where you can be creative!
Enjoy your Chocolate-Coconut Ladoos!
This sweet treat can stay in an air tight container for up to a week - that is, if they aren't all devoured on the same day you make them! I keep them outside for 3-4 days, then refrigerate.
Don't forget to check out other favorite Indian Desserts:
Happy cooking, enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Ladoo (Chocolate Almond Truffles)
Ingredients
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk 14-oz
- 2 tablespoon Unsalted butter or Ghee
- 1 ½ cup Almond Flour
- 5 tablespoon Cocoa Powder unsweetened
- 2-3 tablespoon Almonds finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Desiccated Coconut
Instructions
- Put the butter and condensed milk in a healthy bottom pan. Cook on low heat for about 8 minutes while stirring continuously. The mixture will thicken and start to leave the sides of the pan.
- Add the cocoa powder and almond flour to the mixture. Keep stirring to remove any lumps and make a smooth paste.
- Grease a large plate or baking dish with butter. Then pour the thick mixture on the plate and smooth with a spatula. Let it cool down a bit until it is safe to touch. We don't want it to cool down completely, but be a little warm, so it is easy to roll the balls.
- Take small portions of the mixture and roll each into cherry-sized balls. Dip some in chopped nuts, some in shredded cocomit and leave some plain.
- Store in air tight container for up to a week. You can be stored on the counter for 3-4 days, and in the refrigerator after that.
Video
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Richa says
Hello,
If I don't have salted butter and would like to use unsalted butter, do I need to add salt? If yes, how much? Thanks!
Meeta Arora says
You would need just a pinch of salt. It is mainly to balance the flavors. Hope you enjoy the ladoo!
Lisa N says
If I wanted to use chickpea flour instead of Almond flour would the measurement still be the same?
Thank you!
Meeta Arora says
Hi Lisa - I don't think chickpea flour will work well in this recipe, as it needs to be cooked much more than almond flour. Otherwise it can give a raw taste.
Mannu says
I tried it and my son loved it. He wants to take it as a snack to his school. But as nuts are not allowed, can I substitute almond flour with oats flour?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Manny - I have not tried with oats flour, nut I think it should work well. Glad to hear your son enjoyed them!
Shru154 says
Lovely recipe .. thank you ... I didn’t have cocoa powder so used 1/2 cup dark choco chips instead and reduced butter to 1 tbsp .. turned out yummy .. planning to share it in holi potluck
Meeta Arora says
Hi - Glad to hear you enjoyed the laddoo. Thanks for sharing the changes you made.
Kay says
Superb easy desert. I modified it to be vegan and keto friendly but it is still delicious!
Meeta Arora says
Hi Kay - So glad you enjoyed the Chocolate Ladoo!
SS says
Thanks for the recipe. Always love your posts with good explanation and clarity. Question for you: Does these have to be rolled into balls or can they be filled in a plate and allowed to set and cut into square pieces like brownies? Thanks.
Meeta Arora says
Thank you. I think the you can set and cut this like brownies too. You might want to add the desiccated coconut and chopped nuts on the top in place of rolling on the laddoo.
Sahana says
Should we refrigerate it or can it stay outside for a week?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Sahana - They can stay out on the counter for 3-4 days in an air tight container, then store in refrigerator. Hope you enjoy the ladoo!
Jackie says
is the cocoa powder sweetened or unsweetened?
Meeta Arora says
His Jackie - It is unsweetened cocoa powder. I have clarified in the recipe ingredients too. Hope you enjoy them!
Honey says
Can I use milk and coconut sugar to replace condensed milk? If so what is the ratio you suggest and how that will change step 1 from recipe when you use the butter
Meeta Arora says
Hi Honey - Sorry, I have not tried the ladoo's with milk, so it is hard for me to say if it will work.
payal says
Thanks for the nice recipe. I have tried today and tastes so yummy.
Jas says
Can we use regular all purpose flour?
Meeta Arora says
Hi Jas - All-purpose flour won't work in this recipe. If you don't have almond flour, you can grind almonds at home to a fine powder and add to the recipe.