Sweet Coconut Balls

Sweet Coconut Balls are commonly known as Coconut Laddu or Narkel Naru in India, more so in Bengal. Most Bengali household makes this dessert every now and then, especially during festivals. Nowadays we can easily buy these Sweet Coconut Balls in the sweet stores in Kolkata. Today’s recipe is dedicated to those who cannot buy them at the stores.
We make Narkel Naru or coconut balls for almost all festivals, and for all religious offerings. That is because you can make them ahead of time, and can store for few days without any hassle. In my neighborhood, in almost all houses with GrandMaa’s had a stash of Laddu available year-round. This is one of those tastes that we have grown up with and did not think of it as a delicacy back then. Only after leaving home I started missing them.
Coconut Balls with Date Palm Jaggery Coconut Balls
For the longest period of time, I avoided making these, as they were quite tedious. But once the shot cut worked, I do make them often. Some variation of this dessert I use as filling of other dishes as well. You can make these balls with sugar or with Date Palm Jaggery. If you are using the jaggery, it will be reddish in color and will have the distinct flavor of the Nolen Gur (Jaggery). In the above picture, I have mixed the jaggery and condensed milk.
Coconut Ball Ingredients! All ingredients are mixed together Coconut Ball Mix ready to be shaped
This recipe has very few ingredients. I have used frozen grated coconut, instead of fresh coconut, but in the end, the taste is comparable. I have made this in the microwave as well as in the stovetop. Both are easy and fast. In microwave, it may be easier as you do not have to stir continuously. I soak my frozen coconut in hot milk for a half-hour, but that is optional. It takes 4, 2 minutes rounds in the microwave to get the desired consistency. It can vary depending on the microwave and quantity. Just remember the final mixture should not be too dry.
Yields 6
30 minPrep Time
10 minCook Time
40 minTotal Time
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of Desiccated Coconut (Frozen grated coconut)
- 1/2 Cup of Milk (any kind)
- 1 Cup of Condensed Milk
- 3 Cardamon seeds powdered
- 2 tsp Butter
Instructions
- Warm the milk in microwave for a minute in a big microwavable bowl
- Soak the frozen coconut in milk for half hour
- Mix condensed milk, butter, and cardamon powder
- Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes and mix again
- Repeat above step for 4 times
- Check the consistency, it should be sticky and moist.
- Mix once well, and shape them in equal sized balls.
- This amount is good for 10-12 small balls.