Okay, real talk—I’m sitting here in my tiny apartment in Jersey City, hoodie half-zipped, hair looking like I just lost a fight with a ceiling fan, and I’m telling you easy Indian sweets are literally the only thing saving my desi soul right now. Like, I miss home so bad it hurts, but I’m also broke and lazy, so 3-hour gulab jamun marathons? Hard pass. I need easy Indian sweets that don’t judge me for using Walmart ghee and a microwave. https://hebbarskitchen.com/microwave-besan-ladoo-recipe/
Why I’m Obsessed with Easy Indian Sweets Right Now
Diwas was last week and I straight-up ghosted every group chat invite because adulting is expensive and Ubers are a scam. Instead I stayed in, cried a little into my cold pizza, then decided nah, I’m making easy Indian sweets in my pajamas. Ten minutes later I had besan ladoo crumbling all over my laptop keyboard. Worth it. https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/coconut-ladoo-recipe-nariyal-ke-laddu/
My Dumb Mistakes So You Don’t Repeat Them
First time I tried the 5-minute coconut ladoo? I used unsweetened coconut because “calories.” Bro, it tasted like sadness wrapped in cardboard. Second time I went full auntie—added condensed milk like I was tryna summon diabetes—and accidentally made crack. Moral: easy Indian sweets forgive rookie sins, but don’t be a hero with the sugar.
The Actual Recipes I Swear By (All Under 20 Minutes, I Timed It)
- Microwave Besan Ladoo (8 minutes, fight me)
- Roast 1 cup besan in ghee for 3–4 mins on high, stirring every minute like your life depends on it (because the smell will burn if you don’t).
- Dump in powdered sugar, cardamom, and a splash of milk. Roll into ugly balls. Done. Tastes like my mom’s but she doesn’t need to know.
- Coconut Ladoo That Saved My Zoom Diwali Party (10 minutes)
- 2 cups desiccated coconut + 1 can condensed milk + splash of rose water. Microwave 4–5 mins, stir twice, roll with greasy hands while yelling “hot hot hot.” Roll in more coconut so they look fancy. My white coworkers thought I was a chef. Lies.
- Instant Kesar Peda (7 minutes if you’re chaotic like me)
- 1 cup milk powder, ¼ cup milk, 3 tbsp ghee, sugar to taste, pinch of saffron I definitely overpaid for at Patel Brothers. Mix, microwave 3 mins, stir, 2 more mins. Knead on a plate while watching reels. Press thumb in center like you know what you’re doing.
The One Time Easy Indian Sweets Went Horribly Right
Last batch of peda? I left it on the counter to cool. My roommate’s dog ate half and then sat there looking high on saffron. We just stared at each other like “bro same.” Dog’s fine. I’m still jealous he got more than me. https://hebbarskitchen.com/microwave-kaju-katli-recipe/
Random Life Update While the Ladoo Cools
I’m eating the broken pieces straight from the plate with a spoon because forks are for people with their life together. My kitchen smells like cardamom and poor decisions. I love it.
Look, I’m not claiming these are authentic-authentic. They’re American-despersion easy Indian sweets made by someone who uses measuring cups wrong and cries when the saffron costs $16. But they hit the spot when you’re homesick at 2 a.m. and the Uber Eats guy judges your address.
So yeah, grab whatever’s in your pantry, set a 20-minute timer, and make a mess. Tag me in the chaos—I wanna see your ugly ladoos too.
Which one are you trying
