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    Home » dessert

    Coconut Rava Ladoo and Burfi – Coconut Semolina Cashew Sweet Balls. Vegan Recipe Glutenfree option

    Published: Jan 13, 2013 · Modified: Jan 23, 2018 by Richa 42 Comments

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    Coconut Rava Ladoo and Burfi. Vegan Gluten-free Indian dessert balls and bars flavored with cardamom. Dairy-free Recipe

    Jump to Recipe   

    Happy Lohri everyone! Another year, another Indian harvest festival. Happy Sankranti, Uttarayan, Pongal and other variations as well. 🙂 And another delicious veganized Ladoo. 

    I dont know what fascination we have for round things. The Ladoos take ages to make. I’d rather make a large slab and cut it up.(Same goes for truffles versus bars:) Faster and equally delicious.


    An Indian festival means a few more words about dairy. Because of the enormous demand for dairy in sweets, everyday food and increasing costs, the sweet shops in India these days use shampoo and oil concoctions and call it milk. Any dairy intense sweet bought during a festival, most likely highly polluted and carcinogenic.


    Coconut Rava Burfi

    Ghee(clarified butter) is an important element in a lot of Indian desserts and a lot of time people are surprised when I tell them it is not vegan. Ghee is made from butter, made from milk. Ghee is not Vegan. Nor is paneer, milk powder, malai, cheese and pretty much every Indian sweet. It takes about 28 lbs of milk to make just 1 lb ghee. Ghee is easily replaced by coconut oil or cocoa butter in most sweets.

    In this Laddu, the fat is provided by the coconut flakes. You can add a bit more coconut oil for a softer, richer version. You can shape the dough into balls or press into a pan and cut up squares and call it a Burfi (bar). 
    For Glutenfree version, use brown rice flour. The burfi/balls wont be as crumbly as in the pictures, since brown rice flour has smaller granules than semolina, but it works out just fine.  

    Vegan Richa: Coconut Rava Ladoo

    For more Vegan Indian Dessert recipes see here. or here .

    Step by step:

    Roast the Semolina.



    Add cashew and coconut oil mix well and roast for a minute.



    Add coconut flour and roast for another minute.



    Add sugar syrup. Mix into a lumpy mixture. Sorry, no picture of the lumpy mix. The dough is like a soft cookie dough.
    Cool the lumpy dough and make balls or squares.

    Burfi.



    Laddoo

     
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    Coconut Rava Ladoo and Burfi - Coconut Semolina Cashew Sweet Balls. Vegan Recipe Glutenfree option

    Coconut Rava Ladoo and Burfi. Vegan Gluten-free Indian dessert balls and bars flavored with cardamom. Dairy-free Recipe
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 120kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup (84 g) Semolina flour or Brown rice flour for Glutenfree
    • 1/2 cup (42.5 g) Coconut flakes dried
    • 1 Tablespoon Coconut oil optional. Omit to make Oilfree
    • 2 Tablespoons chopped cashew pieces optional. Omit to make nutfree
    • a pinch of salt

    Sugar Syrup

    • 1/2 cup (118.29 g) ground raw sugar or use jaggery powder
    • 3 Tablespoons water
    • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) cardamom powder depends on how much you love cardamom:

    Instructions

    • In a large pan, dry roast the semolina on medium-low heat for 6-8 minutes until the color changes and it gets fragrant.
    • Using a blender/processor, blend the coconut flakes to make coarse coconut flour.
    • Add the blended coconut, coconut oil, salt and cashew pieces to the pan. Mix well and roast for 2 minutes.
    • (Coconut oil and cashew pieces can be left out to make nut free and oilfree)
    • Meanwhile, in another pan, make the sugar syrup.
    • Add all syrup ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to cook at medium low until one thread consistency- 230 to 235 degrees F / 110ºc.(a few minutes).
    • Add the hot sugar syrup to the roasting dry ingredients and mix well to form a lumpy mixture. (Best results when both contents are hot)
    • Take off heat. Cool for 2-3 minutes and form balls - Ladoo. Spray a little water if the mixture is too crumbly.
    • Or Press immediately into parchment lined or greased baking pan to make Burfi. (I used an 8 by 4 inch pan.) The mixture gets too crumbly as it cools. So shape when still warm-hot. Handle carefully.
    • Cut into squares when still warm. The bars will harden as they cool.
    • Break into pieces when cool. Store in airtight container for upto a week.

    Notes

    You can make Coconut laddoo and burfi with just Coconut and no grain. Use 1 cup coconut flakes, grind them into coarse flour. Roast for 2-3 minutes with cashews and coconut oil. Add the sugar syrup and press onto parchment.
    Nutritional values based on one serving

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Coconut Rava Ladoo and Burfi - Coconut Semolina Cashew Sweet Balls. Vegan Recipe Glutenfree option
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 120 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Sodium 31mg1%
    Potassium 51mg1%
    Carbohydrates 17g6%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 1g2%
    Calcium 3mg0%
    Iron 0.6mg3%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.



    This Laddoo is being shared at Ricki’s wellness weekend, slightly indulgent Tuesdays,



    Meat is easily associated with a direct death, but dairy always slips out from under the kill radar. I am often told about the almost none dairy consumption everyone does in everyday life. Maybe a half a cup of milk. What we don’t realize however, is the other forms in which we end up consuming a load of dairy..
    Every tadka in ghee, every ghee filled sweet, every rich creamy paneer curry, every daal with makhan(butter/cream), every sandwich/pizza with cheese, every breakfast fried in butter, every buttercream layered cake, every tea/coffee with milk, and more.

    Here is a video with mostly words about a life of a dairy cow. Please watch and share.


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    1. ruch

      April 26, 2020 at 9:15 am

      love the recipe , but is there a way to substitute coconut flakes and oil in the recipe. I wanted to see if there is a way to keep the saturated fat down. Thankyou

      Reply
      • Richa

        April 26, 2020 at 5:57 pm

        Use more Rava and use more sugar syrup

        Reply
    2. Chef Mireille

      January 07, 2014 at 4:29 am

      thank you so much for this recipe. I am a freelance personal chef and needed to Veganize Rava Ladoo for a client. I will be testing this recipe out on the weekend and will let you know how it is received.

      Reply
    3. vedgedout.com

      January 24, 2013 at 6:29 am

      Now that I’m finished ranting….I just saw a recipe for the Burfi in a vegan magazine! I was wondering what they were and where the origin of the dish was. Now I know! They look absolutely delightful! Oh and I need to apologize for not reading lately, I was crazy with my challenge and not doing any reading, then my laptop died! I’ve got a desktop, but can’t use it when the kids are up and about (which is nearly always) sigh.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 24, 2013 at 6:36 am

        no apologies needed. i would be super mad if my machine died.
        Burfi can be Anything. it is small sweet bars of different ingredients.. cheese, nuts, coconut or other things.

        Reply
    4. sumati krishnan

      January 19, 2013 at 4:57 pm

      Why does it bother you? Maybe if you could answer that honestly for yourself, it would be a step in the the right direction. After all, in the absence of a totalitarian state, multiplicity of belief and action has been the human way of coexistence. Of course I am fully with you in expressing YOUR beliefs, as a means to INFORM.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 19, 2013 at 10:54 pm

        sumati. Sure everyone is entitled to their beliefs. Say for example the delhi rape. There are some who are bothered by it, some who arent. There are people who believe that the blame lies on the victim herself. Everything so wrong about that heinous crime. I am very bothered by the act itself. but I am also very bothered by the apathy shown by other people by not helping, the apathy and inaction of the police in taking her to the hospital and later the slow moving of the arrest and so on. The apathy of the politicians and others who come out and blab and again blame the victim.. All of this stems from Their Beliefs..and all of that equally bothers me.
        I will be bothered and extremely uncomfortable being around people with such beliefs too.

        Reply
      • vedgedout.com

        January 24, 2013 at 6:26 am

        What bothers me about people eating dairy is that I believe most of them are woefully uninformed (like me, just over a year ago) They have no idea how harmful the dairy industry is to the earth, to the animals and to themselves. I didn’t ever consider that cheese had cholesterol and could give me a heart attack, or that the casein is a huge CANCER trigger, or that dairy may have been part of the reason I couldn’t cope with my autoimmune disease (now in remission). I THOUGHT it was good for me. Now that my “brain bulb” is turned on too, I’m horrified by the amount of dairy that is consumed around me. It doesn’t do any good to anyone involved. If people really knew the dark side of dairy, I think many would stop consuming it. Thanks for continuing to educate Richa. If we keep educating instead of pointing fingers, we’re bound to have more people hop on our train 🙂

        Reply
      • Richa

        January 24, 2013 at 6:38 am

        I dint know most of it 2 years back too. I happened upon some vegan food blogs and then just kept reading and reading all the articles. and then decided it was time to take it off the menu.

        Reply
    5. Cadry's Kitchen

      January 17, 2013 at 7:42 pm

      These sound delicious! The life of a dairy cow and her offspring makes me so sad. I don’t think many people realize the intrinsic pain and suffering in the dairy industry. It’s painted with idyllic brushes. It fools many. I’m glad there are loads of plant based options, so that people can enjoy old favorites, and no one has to suffer for them.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 7:47 pm

        I know.. lately i have been getting bothered being around people gobbling down loads of butter cheese and stuff. how can they not see. well hopefully some will.. till then I can all enjoy the stuff my mom used to make, without the dairy!

        Reply
    6. Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes

      January 17, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      What a beautiful easy dessert Richa, I love how you strive to educate all through your blogs and show how simple changes can be made without sacrificing taste and texture.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 7:45 pm

        Blogger does not like you.. i found all your comments in spam:) I know right.. i keep trying to make vegan versions in indian stuff. usually the subs are super easy:)

        Reply
    7. arati kadav

      January 17, 2013 at 6:40 am

      Would love to know some jaggery vegan sweets (I do one with rice, coconut and jaggery) but almost all of them are “wet” – would love to have a dry jaggery sweet recipe.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 8:36 am

        jaggery in the syrup will work here too. the burfi will harden when it cools. it might be a bit more chewy that regular sugar syrup.

        Reply
    8. Maha Gadde

      January 17, 2013 at 2:53 am

      wow…yummyyyy laddus … mouthwatering cliks!!

      Reply
    9. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      January 16, 2013 at 9:41 pm

      I am so glad you time to comment about the dairy issue, especially in Idian foods- I deal with people misunderstanding this so much!

      These looks amazing! So cute 🙂

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 8:47 am

        Thanks Gabby. Every few days i get incredulous epressions when i tell people that ghee is not vegan:) and it is one of the easiest things to change up in most dishes!:))

        Reply
    10. digiyesica

      January 15, 2013 at 5:52 pm

      Richa! I’m in love with your blog, your recipes, and photos! I can’t wait to try out a couple of your recipes. Especially this one. 🙂 Mmm! Thank you for sharing your recipes with the world.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 8:45 am

        Thank you digiyesica! I love it that you like the blog and recipes:) Do let me know when you try any!

        Reply
    11. Vij (Spices and Aroma)

      January 15, 2013 at 4:50 pm

      Hi Richa,
      That’s a easy recipe. As a South Indian, I make a lot of dishes with coconut milk and rice. My most quick and easy sweet to make on a festive night would be rava ladoo or coconut burfi. I am loving your recipe. I will try this soon. Happy Sankaranti/Pongal to you!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 8:44 am

        Happy Sankranti to you too Vijitha. We hardly ever make anything other than besan ladoo. But i have grown to love coconut in the past few years. and they are so easy to put together and so crumbly without added fat!

        Reply
    12. Veena Theagarajan

      January 15, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      so tempting and yummy looking laddoos
      https://great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

      Reply
    13. dishesfrommykitchen

      January 15, 2013 at 4:14 am

      Ladoo looks inviting and delicious,I love all kinda laddoos… yumm

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 8:39 am

        I love ladoos too.. esp if someone else is making the balls 🙂

        Reply
    14. Glue and Glitter

      January 14, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      Those look amazing! I have been looking for a good burfi recipe.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 17, 2013 at 8:38 am

        Thanks Becky. This is an absolute fave at my house!

        Reply
    15. ANU

      January 14, 2013 at 6:32 pm

      awesome and invitig ladoos….beautiful clicks dear…
      “Healthy Recipe Substitution” HRS EVENT Dec 20th to Mar 20th
      SYF&HWS – Cook With SPICES” Series
      South Indian Cooking

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 14, 2013 at 7:08 pm

        Thank you Anu!

        Reply
    16. chocolateandchoufleur.com

      January 14, 2013 at 5:56 am

      These are beautiful, and they sound so delicious! I’m going to try making them with rice flour tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 14, 2013 at 7:07 pm

        Thanks! Let me know how they turn out! There is only a mild difference in taste between semolina and brown rice flour. Usually the coconut and cardamom will take over:)

        Reply
    17. Arlene

      January 14, 2013 at 12:46 am

      Any recommendations for someone that can’t have nuts? Would love to try this recipe.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 14, 2013 at 7:05 pm

        You can leave the nuts out. In fact its easier to roll out the balls without the chopped nuts:) Coconut has enough nutty flavor by itself for this delicious ladoo

        Reply
    18. Chef Amber Shea

      January 13, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Another amazing sweet, Richa. These look perfect (Matt would want them dipped in chocolate or something, knowing him, which I’m sure is totally sacrilegious, but I love the look of them as-is!). And I am so with you on bars vs. balls. Sometimes presentation is everything, but if it’s just for me/me and Matt, I’ll do bars every time.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 13, 2013 at 7:43 pm

        hehe. chocolate is not considered dessert back home but i would coat them in chocolate.. all that crumbly surprise inside once you bite into it.. yumm!

        Reply
    19. Caitlin

      January 13, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      i think the reason we’re so obsessed with rolling desserts into balls is because of the cuteness factor. but, i completely agree with you- SO much easier to press it into a pan. and that way, it’s kinda like eating a brownie square!

      i love that you are so easily able to make dairy filled indian treats vegan and that no one can tell the difference! i love how flaky these look, and how can you go wrong with adding coconut?!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 13, 2013 at 7:42 pm

        I know right. :)) especially with the lower fat versions that i make i have to work quickly to form the ladoos. i much prefer the bars:) no standing in the kitchen required:) and they look pretty too if you cut them into small squares;)

        there are a few cheese desserts that i am still working ont he textures.. lets see if we can veganize them this year!

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        July 15, 2014 at 5:01 pm

        Dear Vegan Richa: I’ve tried to make them this weekend, following your instructions to the letter. Unfortunately, the Ladoos came out hard as rocks. I did not even have time to shape them into balls, and had to go to plan B and make Burfi. The flavors were great, but the texture was way too hard … What did I do wrong? Was the simply syrup to hot? I would really appreciate your input on this. Thank you.

        Reply
      • Richa

        July 15, 2014 at 6:43 pm

        I think the sugar syrup got over cooked. As soon as the sugar syrup is half thread (short 1 thread that breaks) consistency you should be ready to add in the ingredients, becaue within a minute the syrup will become 1 thread consistency. You can also add another Tablespoon of coconut oil, so in case the syrup does get too thick, the oil will help keep the laddoos softer.

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        July 18, 2014 at 5:12 pm

        Thank you so much for your response. I will try again.

        Reply

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