Nutty, aromatic, yummy senaga pappu laddu is a 3 ingredient, gluten free, no bake easy Indian dessert! It is also one of the preparations during Bathukamma festivities.
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What is Senaga Pappu Laddu?
Laddu is one of the most popular Indian sweet. Preparation of laddu/ladoo depends on the ingredients used. Chana dal is senaga pappu in Telugu, also known as Bengal gram and is one of the most commonly used pulse in Indian cooking. It looks similar to split yellow peas but from a different family.
Since these laddu are shaped using Bengal gram flour, it is called Bengal gram or senga pappu laddu. There are other laados prepared using this flour but the preparation has a few additional steps and flour is not directly shaped into laado.
Ingredients
There are 4 ingredients in the recipe but cardamom seeds are used for aroma and flavor. It is optional less than ½ teaspoon. Hence we can call this 3 ingredient recipe.
- Chana Dal
- Sugar
- Butter or ghee
- Cardamom seeds optional
How to prepare
To prepare chana dal laddu, roast dal until light brown, cool, grind to a powder. Mix the powder (flour) with granulated sugar or powdered sugar & cardamom powder, ghee and shape into round spheres. That’s it! Isn’t it an easy peasy recipe!!
An alternative to senaga pappu laddu is besan laddu. Besan is gram flour (chana or black chickpeas flour) and using besan eliminates grinding the dal. Just roast flour in ghee, mix with sugar and then shape into laddu.
FAQ
Yes. You can wash dal and be careful not to keep the dal in water for too long. Wash, lightly dry on a cloth or paper towel and then dry roast.
Yes and no. It depends on the sugar you are using. Granulated sugar we get in the USA is not as granular as in India. So, I have used it as it is with out powdering, though powdering is recommended. You can also super fine sugar.
You can make ghee using unsalted butter. Melt butter in a pan and cook on medium – medium low flame for about 20 – 25 minutes until milk particles grown and collect at the bottom of the pan. Strain ghee and use.
What is Bathukamma?
Women in Telangana, India celebrate Bathukamma for nine days starting from Bhadrapada amavasya to ashtami, which usually falls in late September or early October. Last day of Bathukamma is Saddula Bathukamma and celebrations are on a large scale with at least 3 to 9 varieties of prasadam. Senaga pappu laddu mixture (you need not shape it into a laadu) is one of them. Check the Saddula Bathukamma, festive thali for more bathukamma recipes and information about the festival.
Detailed, Printable Recipe
Senagapappu Laddu ~ Chana Dal Laddu
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chana Dal
- ¾ cup Powdered Granulated Sugar check note
- ⅓ teaspoon Cardamom Seeds
- ¼ – ⅓ cup Ghee I used ¼ cup
Instructions
- Wash chana dal and immediately pat dry with a kitchen towel. If time permits, dry on the kitchen towel for 10-15 minutes. DO NOT soak the dal. This step is optional.
- Roast chana dal on medium flame until aromatic and golden brown. Do not burn the dal.
- Spread on a plate and let cool.
- Grind sugar and cardamom seeds to a fine powder and keep aside.
- Grind roasted dal to a fine powder.
- Mix together both the powders and taste the mixture for sweetness. Add more powdered sugar depending on how sweet you want the laddu.
- Add ghee, mix well and shape the mixture into small balls. If the laddu doesn’t hold shape, add more ghee.
- To make the binding easier, I added powdered sugar to chana dal powder, pulsed it once in the mixer, added ghee and pulsed it for few more seconds. Transfer to a bowl, mix everything well and then shape the laddus.
- Yields dozen laddu, depending on the size.
Notes
- Substitute – Black chana is a good substitute for chana dal. I did not use it but heard it is a good substitute. Or use besan ~ gram flour instead. Follow this recipe for besan laddu.
- Sugar – I used ¾ cup powdered sugar but can easily use ¾ cup sugar, powdered. ¾ cup sugar = ¾ cup + 2 tablespoon (almost 2 tablespoon) powdered sugar.
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sasmita says
Who can deny have these kind of laddus ;P
I simply love it. With simple 3 ingredients it is a lovely idea. I would love to make these chana dal laddu sometime
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
We are Ladoo laver family, a new recipe is going in my book 🙂 Chana daal ladoo sounds terrific and irresistible. I can imagine the aroma of roasting chana daal, so divine!
Priya Srinivasan says
A delicious ladoo usha, you know i love ladoos, they are small, easy to make and versatile!! I have made ladoo with besan flour and not with the whole dal! will try to make next time!!!
Anshu says
These laddus look absolutely mouthwatering and your clicks are making them even more irresistible.
Jayashree T.Rao says
Senaga Paruppu laddu looks so delectable, they must be tasting a bit different from besan ladoo. Good to know about Bathukamma celebrations, it is new to me.
Padma Veeranki says
One of my favourite laddus….The aroma that fills in the house when Laddu is made is simply divine…right?? I’m drooling looking at your delicious laddus ?
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Love your pictures Usha and love the traditional recipe even more. I like the flavor of freshly ground roasted chana dal flour. Such a simple recipe for a lovely protein packed dessert!
MySpicyKitchen says
Thanks Sandhya. The flavor of freshly ground roast chana dal is amazing and so is the aroma.
Malini says
Wow. The Laddu looks so perfect. I loved your photography. Such a quick and yummy dessert. In my home, Laddus are always welcome irrespective of any day. Nice recipe 🙂
MySpicyKitchen says
Thanks Malini.
Pavani says
This is a completely new recipe for me Usha. Never had senagapappu laddu – sounds easy to make and looks soo delicious. I am going to give these a try some time soon.
MySpicyKitchen says
Please do try Pavani. I think you will like it.
Mayuri Patel says
Yummy, senaga pappu laddu look so tempting and perfect. Making them from roasted chana dal must make them taste different from the ones made from besan flour. Thanks for sharing a bit info on Bathukamma.
MySpicyKitchen says
Yes Mayuri. It has a different flavor than besan flour laddu though the procedure is almost similar.
Lata Lala says
Nutty and aromatic chana dal laddus looks absolutely scrumptious. Since this is a 3 ingredient, gluten free and easy recipe, i am looking forward to make it soon.
MySpicyKitchen says
Thanks Lata Lala. Please give it a try.