Mango Coconut Laddoo and 5000+ hits !!

First of all I want to thank all my lovely readers for helping me achieve this target of 5000+ hits in a short span of 3 months. Each time my blog views increased from 1000 to 2000 to 3000 hits , I kept thinking I should celebrate with you all with a mouthwatering dish but due to several factors which also includes my laziness ;-) I kept putting it off for later. Finally now I got the chance and I want to share this awesome sweet dish with you all.
Also Happy b'lated Sankranti and Pongal to all who celebrated. :-)

Laddoo is a sweet item, usually round or ball shaped and it is commonly served during festivals and special occassions all over India. By the way, I love anything mango flavoured and Mango is my favorite fruit. This laddoo that I am sharing with you is prepared using Mango pulp and grated coconut and flavored with some cardamom (elachi). Since pistachios are another favorite of mine I have added crushed pistachios to the mango flavored laddoo.

I took this recipe by checking several fellow blogger friend's sites who has made this and I made slight changes according to my taste and ingredient availability. It came out really well and Manish who isn't much of a sweets lover really enjoyed these cuties.

Mango Coconut Laddoo Recipe
You'll need
Fresh grated coconut - 2 cups (Can also use frozen shredded coconut or dry coconut flakes)
Mango pulp -1 cup  ( I used the Sweetened Mango pulp)
Condensed milk - 1/4 cup  (actual recipe calls for 3/4 cup, but I used only 1/4 cup)
Pistachios, roasted and unsalted -1/4 cup  ( Gently crushed into small pieces)
Cardamom powder (Elaichi powder) - 1/4 tsp or upto taste preference
For garnishing:
Coconut powder or flakes (unsweetened) - 4-5 tblsp
Pistachios (halved) - 1 for each laddoo

Directions
1. Keep a nonstick pan on medium heat and start by roasting the cocnut until it starts to become dry and the raw smell goes off. (Make sure the coconut is nicely dried but not browned)
2. Next add the mango pulp and keep stirring, as soon the misture starts to dry up add the cardamom powder and keep mixing until it dries up completely.
3. Add the condensed milk and cook till the mixture thickens and leaves the side of the pan. ( It should be able to form a dough on it own when mixed together, thats the consistency you should look for)
4. Add in the chopped or crushed pistachios and mix well and turn off the heat.
5. Make small rounds while the mixture is warm (not hot), but do not allow to cool. ( I took a teaspoon measure and rolled them into small balls)
For garnishing:
1. You may roll them in extra coconut . ( I rolled them in dry coconut powder)
2. Or you may just press in a halved pistachio in the centre of each laddoo.

Important and Useful Tips and Suggestions: 1. By dry coconut powder , I do not mean the powdered form which is used to prepare coconut milk, it has to be slightly flaky or grainy.
2.  a) If using fresh grated coconut : Roast the 2 cups only until the coconut feels dry (as if it is moist it may add more moisture to the laddoo), but do not roast until it turns brown.
     b) If using dry coconut powder / dry coconut flakes : Roast just for 2-3 minutes , only until the raw smell wears off as it is already dry and can hold the mango pulp and condensed milk mixture together.

*** REMEMBER, if your laddoo feel very soft and is not forming a good ball , add some more roasted dry coconut powder (or roast some more fresh grated coconut ) , just 1-2 tsp at a time until the mixture is able to form a firm but soft dough that can be rolled into balls.
Do not wait until the mixture is completely cooled to roll, start rolling while its still warm.
{I have added these tips due to lot of requests and questions on how to make these laddoos and apparently few who made these said it was a super hit!!! Thank You!!! :-) }

This laddo has a nice and mild mango flavor and the coconut gives it a lovely chewyness and its just aptly sweetened from the condensed milk and the mango pulp and the mild cardamom flavor and its aroma brings this sweet dish to a completely different level.. This recipe is definitely a keeper and I'm sure you will love it. 

I shared this with few of my friends and they all called back to say how much they liked it. I made very small laddoos and I was able to make about 30 laddoos , I made them small so that they just a bite size and anyone and everyone can enjoy them without having to feel guilty of eating a large sweet ;-)

And this one is just for you , my most valuable reader :-)

Linking this post to:
1. ABC Series - Desserts happening at Ramya's Recipe

2. Valentines Day event hosted by Anzz @ AnzzCafe

3. "Lets Celebrate - Indian sweets"

-Manju