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Vegan Malai Ladoo. Sweet Fudge balls that are flavored with cardamom. Festive Indian Sweet. Dairy-free Ladoo. Vegan Glutenfree Soyfree Recipe. Can be oilfree. Jump to Recipe
Happy Diwali to all who are celebrating! Another year, another festival, another vegan-ized Indian Dessert.
Malai Ladoo (direct translation- cream balls) are generally made with heavy cream and some milk powder or milk solids, cooked with sugar to thicken and then shaped. I use cashew cream and almond flour to get a similar flavor and texture. These Fudgy balls are somewhat like my Malai Burfi bars, but smoother and more melt in the mouth. Burfi are hardy to handle them as bars. While malai ladoo balls are softer and fudgier.
Malai ladoo are known for their creamy texture. These balls use cashews, almond flour, coconut flour, vegan cream cheese and cardamom. Few ingredients and ready within 20 mins. Surprise everyone with these non dairy treats! Use saffron or other flavors for variation.
More Diwali Sweets and Savories from the blog
- Gajar Halwa- Carrot Spoon fudge GF.
- Mango Sheera / Halwa
- Mango Burfi – GF Bars
- Kesar Peda – GF Saffron almond fudge cookies
- 7 Cup Burfi – Chickpea flour coconut Fudge. GF
- Vermicelli Kheer Pudding – GF option
- More Indian Sweets like Gulab jamun, Kaju Katli,Laddoos.
Savory Snacks and Meals:
- Potato Rice Crackers. GF
- Potato Quinoa Patties.
- Butter Tofu – Tofu in tomato Cream Sauce GF
- Coconut Korma GF
These are difficult to make without the nuts. Try my besan ladoo from Indian kitchen book instead for a nutfree ladoo.
If you make these, do let me know in the comments and rate the recipe! 
Vegan Malai Ladoo
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 20 minutes
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tablespoons vegan cream cheese
- 7 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour, or use 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon oil or vegan butter, omit for oil-free
- 5 tablespoons fine almond flour
- seeds from 2 cardamom pods, crushed coarsely
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- shredded coconut, chopped pistachios, or other toppings of choice, optional
Instructions
- Drain the soaked cashews, and blend them with the water for a minute. Add the vegan cream cheese, sugar, salt, and coconut flour, then blend again until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a skillet. Use 2 tablespoons water to rinse out the blender, and add that to the skillet, as well, along with the vegan butter. Cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture will get lumpy then thicken evenly
- Mix in the almond flour and cardamom, then continue to cook for another 10 minutes, or until the mixture pulls away from the sides and bottom of the pan.
- Cool, then chill for an hour before shaping into 12 balls. Coat in shredded coconut or top with chopped pistachios or other decoration if you wish. Serve chilled.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What could be substitute for cashews. allergic to them. Soaked blanched almonds? Macadamia Nuts?
Macadamia
Any suggestions for mixture sticking to the pan? Tried greasing with coconut oil for second go around and ran into same issues! Thanks!
It’s the pan. You need a good non stick pan. You can bake it instead. Pour the mixture into a parchment lined loaf pan and bake at 300°F for 25 minutes or until the top is starting to dry a little bit. Let it cool to warm to handle and scoop the mixture and roll into balls
Great!😊
Hello Richa,
I’d like to make these for Christmas.
Could you use coconut yoghurt?
Thanks so much.😊
yes
Hello Richa
May the Almond Flour be Almond Meal instead?
yes!
Thank you kindly. I’m actually printing out some of your recipes now, to place in my recipe folder.
I’ve been vegan for nearly 15 years, and your website is one of the best I’ve seen.
There is an extraordinary variety.Thank you again Richa!
Hi there, am preparing for my first vegan Diwali, and was wondering if you have to add the salt, as normally when I fast I do not consume any salt in my cakes or food.
Thanks
you can omit it. milk and milk products have a saltier flavor by default, so i add salt to match that, but you can omit it.