Name: Sunundalu (Urad Dal Laddu) Recipe: Melt-in-Your-Mouth South Indian Sweets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Gram (black, split, urad dal); 1/2 cup Sugar (granulated); 4 Cardamom (pods, elaichi, green, lightly crushed); 1/3 cup Clarified Butter (ghee); 1-2 tbsp Water (for adjusting consistency, optional)

Sunundalu (Urad Dal Laddu) Recipe: Melt-in-Your-Mouth South Indian Sweets

30 minutes

744 reads

4.41 from 5 votes

South Indian

About Sunundalu (Urad Dal Laddu) Recipe: Melt-in-Your-Mouth South Indian Sweets

Indulge in the heavenly delight of Sunundalu, traditional South Indian laddus crafted from roasted urad dal (split black gram), fragrant cardamom, and rich desi ghee. These melt-in-your-mouth sweets offer a wholesome and satisfying treat, perfect for festivals or any special occasion.

This recipe simplifies the process, making it easy for home cooks to create authentic Sunundalu. The subtle sweetness and aromatic spices create a flavor profile that's both comforting and unforgettable.

Experience the simple joy of preparing these beloved laddus, a testament to the rich culinary heritage of South India. Each bite is a journey into a world of traditional flavors and textures.

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Recipe Time & More

Prep10

Cook20

Total30

Calories84 kcal

Serves

Perfect ForDesserts

TasteSweet

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

▢ 1 cup Gram black, split, urad dal
▢ 1/2 cup Sugar granulated
▢ 4 Cardamom pods, elaichi, green, lightly crushed

Wet Ingredients

▢ 1/3 cup Clarified Butter ghee
▢ 1-2 tbsp Water for adjusting consistency, optional

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Instructions

Preparing the Urad Dal

Dry roast 1 cup of split black gram (urad dal) in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it turns a light golden brown. This takes about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to burn it.

Grinding the Dal

Allow the roasted dal to cool completely. Then, grind it into a fine powder using a spice grinder or a food processor.

Preparing the Sugar Mixture

Grind the 1/2 cup of sugar along with the 4 lightly crushed green cardamom pods until finely powdered. Mix this powdered sugar into the ground dal.

Melting the Ghee

Gently melt 1/3 cup of desi ghee in a pan over low heat. Do not boil the ghee.

Combining and Forming Laddus

Add the melted ghee to the dal and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until well combined. If the mixture is too dry to form laddus, add 1-2 tablespoons of water, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The mixture should be pliable enough to roll into balls.

Shaping the Laddus

Roll the mixture into small, round laddus. Place them on a plate or tray lined with parchment paper.

Setting and Serving

Allow the laddus to cool and set completely at room temperature. Once set, your Sunundalu are ready to be enjoyed!

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips for Perfect Sunundalu

For a richer flavor, use good quality desi ghee.
Roasting the urad dal is crucial for the final texture and taste. Make sure to roast it evenly to a light golden brown color; avoid burning.
If the mixture is too sticky, add a little more powdered sugar. If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of warm milk or ghee at a time.
Store the laddus in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be refrigerated for longer storage.