As winter descends over northern India, kitchens come alive with the comforting scent of jaggery and roasted sesame seeds. til gudh ke laddoo—or sesame jaggery balls—are not just a sweet treat but a cherished ritual marking the season of warmth and togetherness. They are also a staple during festivals like Makar Sankranti and Lohri, and are prepared across homes in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The beauty of these laddoos lies in their simplicity. There’s no elaborate technique or expensive ingredient — jaggery, sesame, a touch of cardamom, and a hint of ghee. Together, they create bite-sized balls of comfort and eating them during winters becomes a routine in most households.
This recipe is well-suited for winter months for its ingredients’ properties—sesame seeds are high in healthy fats, calcium, and iron, and help the body retain warmth during cold months, while jaggery provides a natural energy boost.
These laddoos are as much about the process as the product — gathering around the stove, stirring patiently, and shaping them while they’re still warm. Whether served with a cup of tea or eaten on their own every winter morning, til gudh ke laddoo embody the heart of the cold months.
