Celebrate Diwali by making Coconut Ladoo

Diwali, one of India’s biggest festivals, roughly translates to ‘rows of lighted lamps’. It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people light up their houses and shops with Diyas (small cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay). They worship the Lord Ganesha for welfare and prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom. Now no Diwali is complete unless there is Coconut Ladoo on the table.

Along with all the celebrations, this festival of lights also brings a wide array of sweets and delicacies. These completely delicious coconut ladoo are an easy recipe to involve your children in making to celebrate. You can make them in beautiful bright colours too!

Celebrating diversity brings everyone together. It’s also giving an opportunity to the children to embrace the culture’s beliefs and values. WEEC children decided to make some yummy coconut ladoo as a lead-up to Diwali Celebration week.

We are using a simple recipe with ingredients of coconut powder and condensed milk.  Children can help to mix all the ingredients together. Then, we distribute it into small portions and our children can shape it by squeezing it in their hands and then rolling it in between both palms in the shape of a ball.

Through this experience, children learnt about the difference and similarities in their home culture and the cultures of others. The most exciting part of the learning experience will be eating their own coconut ladoos!

Coconut Ladoo – Serves 10

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups desiccated coconut
• 1 can (395 g) condensed milk
• 1 cup of slivered almonds (optional)
• Food colouring (optional)

Method

1. Place 2 cups desiccated coconut in a deep pan. Place the pan over low flame. Lightly toast the coconut. Stir constantly to avoid burning. (Note: do not allow the coconut to change colour).
2. Pour in the condensed milk. Mix well. Stir constantly for 20 minutes or until the mixture becomes really thick and leaves the sides of the pan. Start on medium heat, then lower it when the mixture starts sticking to the bottom of the pan. Never allow it to burn. Remove from heat.
3. Add in (optional) almonds and food colour to the mixture.
4. When the mixture is warm enough to touch, make small balls out of the mixture. The mixture will be very sticky, so apply some oil on your hand. At this stage, the ladoos will also look very floppy, but they will harden when cooled.
5. Now place ½ cup desiccated coconut in a shallow bowl or plate. Roll the ladoos in coconut.
6. Chill in the fridge and then serve.

This is a perfect recipe, to introduce your children to the wonders of Diwali. If you would like to find out more about our centres, you can book a tour or send us a message.

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