Aate Ki Pinni - Winter Special

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Leena Kohli (@leenakohli)

Aate ki Pinni (Whole Wheat Energy ladoos), a traditional North Indian winter ladoo, is close to my heart. It’s my mom’s signature recipe — made with roasted atta (whole wheat flour), ghee, puffed edible gum (gond), a handful of crunchy nuts, and a touch of besan (gram flour) for that...

Aate Ki Pinni - Winter Special recipe
Prep Time
20min
Cook Time
40min
Total Time
1hr

Ingredients

20 Servings
(1 serving = 1 pinni)
  • ghee (clarified butter)
    ghee (clarified butter)
    1cup
  • whole wheat flour (atta)
    whole wheat flour (atta)
    2 1/2cups
  • gram flour (besan)
    gram flour (besan)
    2tbsp
  • edible gum (gond)
    edible gum (gond)
    2tbsp
  • mixed nuts
    mixed nuts
    1cup
  • makhana (fox nuts/lotus seeds)
    makhana (fox nuts/lotus seeds)
    1cup
  • sugar
    sugar
    3/4cup

How to make Aate Ki Pinni - Winter Special

Roast the Gond

  1. Step 1

    Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.

  2. Step 2

    Add the gond and fry while stirring until it puffs up and turns crunchy. Remove and set aside.

    Step 1.1: Add the gond and fry while stirring until it puffs up and turns crunchy
    Step 1.2: Add the gond and fry while stirring until it puffs up and turns crunchy

Toast the Nuts & Makhana

  1. Step 1

    Lightly roast the nuts in the same pan for 1–2 minutes until aromatic. Set aside.

    Step 2.1: Lightly roast the nuts in the same pan for 1–2 minutes until aromatic
  2. Step 2

    Next, dry roast the makhana until crisp. Let everything cool.

    Step 2.1: Next, dry roast the makhana until crisp

Grind the Mix

  1. Step 1

    Once cooled, coarsely grind the gond, nuts, and makhana together. Set aside.

    Step 3.1: Once cooled, coarsely grind the gond, nuts, and makhana together
    Step 3.2: Once cooled, coarsely grind the gond, nuts, and makhana together

Roast the Flours

  1. Step 1

    In the same pan, add the remaining ghee and let it melt on low-medium heat.

  2. Step 2

    Add the atta and besan, and roast slowly, stirring constantly, until golden brown and aromatic. This may take 25–30 minutes.

    Step 4.1: Add the atta and besan, and roast slowly, stirring constantly, until golden brown and aromatic
    Step 4.2: Add the atta and besan, and roast slowly, stirring constantly, until golden brown and aromatic

Combine Ingredients

  1. Step 1

    Add the ground nut-gond-makhana mix into the roasted flour and mix well for 3–4 minutes.

    Step 5.1: Add the ground nut-gond-makhana mix into the roasted flour and mix well for 3–4 minutes
    Step 5.2: Add the ground nut-gond-makhana mix into the roasted flour and mix well for 3–4 minutes
  2. Step 2

    Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar thoroughly.

    Step 5.1: Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar thoroughly
    Step 5.2: Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar thoroughly

Shape the Pinnis

  1. Step 1

    Let the mixture cool just enough to handle.

  2. Step 2

    While still warm, take lemon-sized portions and roll into round balls (pinni).

    Step 6.1: While still warm, take lemon-sized portions and roll into round balls (pinni)

Store & Serve

  1. Step 1

    Allow the pinnis to cool completely before storing them in an airtight glass container.

    Step 7.1: Allow the pinnis to cool completely before storing them in an airtight glass container
  2. Step 2

    Enjoy with hot tea or as a quick energy-boosting snack.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

176.5kcal (8.82%)

Protein

2.8g (5.52%)

Carbs

11.5g (4.2%)

Sugars

7.5g (15.08%)

Healthy Fat

5.2g

Unhealthy Fat

9.0g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. Roast the flours slowly on low heat to eliminate the raw taste and bring out the nutty aroma.

  2. Adjust the sugar to your taste.

  3. Feel free to add pistachios, more cashews, or other dried fruits for added richness.

  4. These pinnis stay fresh for several weeks when stored properly, making them ideal for winter nourishment.

FAQS

  1. Can I use different nuts in this recipe?

    Yes, you can add pistachios, more cashews, or other dried fruits for added richness.

  2. How long do these pinnis last?

    When stored properly in an airtight container, they can last for several weeks.

  3. Can I adjust the sweetness of the pinnis?

    Yes, you can adjust the sugar to your taste.

  4. What is the best way to store pinnis?

    Store them in an airtight glass container to keep them fresh.

  5. What is the purpose of roasting the flours slowly?

    Roasting the flours slowly on low heat helps eliminate the raw taste and brings out the nutty aroma.

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Leena Kohli

(@leenakohli)

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